JUVEDERM® ULTRA XC

What is Juvederm Ultra XC?

Juvederm Ultra XC, also known as Juvederm Ultra 2 in some areas, is a dermal filler from Allergan. Made of a non-animal hyaluronic acid gel, which the manufacturer claims has enhanced stability and resistance to degradation, this injectable also contains lidocaine for pain relief during and after the treatment. This highly-crosslinked hyaluronic acid helps restore moisture and volume to skin affected by moderate wrinkles and helps add volume and contour to lips. Clinical studies have demonstrated not only improvements in the appearance of nasolabial folds with Juvederm Ultra but also an 88% preference of Juvederm Ultra over bovine collagen. This hyaluronic acid filler has remained 1 of the most popular among doctors and their patients.

What is Juvederm Ultra XC used for?

Doctors usually use this aesthetic injectable to correct facial wrinkles, such as nasolabial folds between the nose and mouth. The gel's consistency is most suited to correcting moderate wrinkles. In some areas, this dermal filler is also approved for use in the lips, restoring moisture, volume, and contour for a smooth, plump look.

How does this dermal filler work?

As skin ages and is exposed to excessive sun, its hyaluronic acid content does not replenish as quickly, and it begins to lose its collagen and fat content as well. This loss of volume and structure can cause skin to become lax, wrinkles to form at the surface, and facial folds such as parentheses lines to deepen. The dermal filler contains hyaluronic acid, a substance naturally found throughout body tissues and known for its ability to hold many times its volume in moisture. This added moisture helps restore volume lost through aging and sun damage, supporting skin to smooth the appearance of wrinkles. Lidocaine is a local anesthetic that works by numbing the treatment area to reduce needle pain, making treatment more comfortable for the patient.

How to inject

Using the supplied 30G needle, inject the gel using a linear threading technique, serial puncture injection, or a combination of the 2 injection techniques. Avoid injecting too superficially because this may lead to discolouration and visible lumps. Do not overcorrect. After the injection, gently massage the area to contour the added gel to the surrounding tissue. Although the gel contains lidocaine, you may choose apply a topical anaesthetic or dental nerve block before the treatment, especially for injections into the sensitive lip area.

How long does it last?

Your patient should see results immediately after their treatment. The results usually last up to 12 months, although this can vary from patient to patient. In studies, 78% of those treated with this dermal filler were still satisfied with both the look and feel of their lips 1 year after the injection. When they received their next treatment at that time, the patients needed less filler to achieve their same results.

Is this product safe?

This product's safety and effectiveness have been established through clinical trials and use for many years in treatments around the world. However, this dermal filler is not for use in those with a hypersensitivity to hyaluronic acid or lidocaine, those with an allergy to the Gram-positive bacterial proteins used to make the hyaluronic acid, or those with a history of anaphylaxis or multiple severe allergies. The injections are not suitable for patients who have a bleeding disorder or who are using blood thinner drugs. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should also avoid using dermal fillers. Do not inject this filler after laser treatment, dermabrasion, deep chemical peels, or superficial chemical peels that caused a severe inflammatory reaction. No allergy test is needed before treatment with this dermal filler.

Juvederm Ultra XC side effects

Side effects typically resolve spontaneously a day or 2 after a skin injection or within a week after a lip injection. There is no downtime to this procedure and patients can return to their usual daily activities immediately after treatment.

Common side effects:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Pain
• Itching
• Discolouration
• Tenderness

Less common side effects:

• Nodules
• Infection
• Allergic reaction
• Inflammation
• Abscess
• Scarring
• Displacement

What it is made of

This cosmetic filler is made of non-animal, crosslinked hyaluronic acid, in the form of a gel, with the anaesthetic lidocaine added for pain relief. The hyaluronic acid is produced by bacterial fermentation from Streptococci bacteria, and it has properties similar to natural hyaluronic acid which adds volume, delivers nutrients, and retains moisture within the skin. Similar to natural hyaluronic acid sugar, this gel will break down gradually within the body to leave no trace.