Juvederm Products

What is Juvederm?

Juvederm is a brand of hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers from Allergan. The fillers are categorised by 2 collections depending on manufacturing technologies. The Vycross range are processed using patented Vycross™ Technology to produce a cross-linked viscoelastic gel that provides a greater lift. These fillers are also integrated with lidocaine, a fast-acting anaesthetic, for greater comfort during procedure. Ultra implants are manufactured using the Hylacross Technology, which is a more traditional cross-linking technology.

The fillers in each collection come with prefilled syringes, sterile needles, traceability labels, and a product pamphlet. These fillers should be stored in a clean, dry, and cool room between 2℃ to 25℃.

What is it used for?

The fillers are perfect for correcting a wide variety of skin imperfections, such as smoothing out wrinkles, defining facial contours, augmenting the lips, and volumising sunken areas.

Use these fillers to:

1. Contour or add volume to the cheeks;
2. Fill in smile lines;
3. Contour the chin;
4. Smooth out marionette lines, smoker’s lines, and nasolabial folds;
5. Correct frown lines and forehead lines;
6. Eliminate crow’s feet;
7. Hydrate the skin;
8. Augment and contour the lips.

Each filler is specially formulated to target certain areas. Refer to the product leaflet for indications.

What are the different types of Juvederm?

There are mainly 2 different ranges: the Vycross collection and the Ultra collection. Though both collections consist of cross-linked hyaluronic acid gel, the Vycross fillers are designed to last longer due to the technology used. Both collections integrate seamlessly under the skin to deliver natural-looking improvements. In addition to these collections, you can also choose Juvederm Hydrate as a biorevitalization solution.

How does this dermal filler work?

Healthy skin is hydrated, plump, and smooth with very little blemishes. This is all due to the quality and quantity of various skin cells like collagen and hyaluronic acid. These cells ensure that the skin health is maintained at an optimal level, while damage like acne scars heal quickly. However, skin health is easily affected by factors like aging, external aggressors, and repeated facial expressions. Aging is inevitable and hinders the production of cells and the normal skin maintenance process, resulting in dry, dull, and wrinkly skin. Extrinsic aggressors, like chronic sun exposure, smoking, and pollution introduce reactive free radicals, aggravate the skin. On the other hand, some patients suffer from certain diseases, like HIV, which may cause unintended weight loss and abnormal fat redistribution. Hence, patients may appear gaunt and sickly.

Both collections are derived from a regulated bacterial fermentation process and is purified to be free from pyrogens and contaminants. Fillers manufactured via Vycross Technology combine low molecular weight and high molecular weight hyaluronic acid. The resulting gel is very malleable and cohesive, and can be injected easily to provide long-lasting results. Most importantly, low molecular weight hyaluronic acid reduces the attraction of water from surrounding cells, which lessens the chance of post-injection swelling. Fillers produced using Hylacross Technology have a smooth consistency, making them easy to administer for natural-looking results. Problematic areas are then corrected to appear plumper, smoother, and younger.

How to inject

A dermal filler injection is considered as medical procedure and can only be legally conducted by certified specialists. In addition, strict aseptic standards must be adhered to reduce the risk of cross-contamination and disease transmissions. During the initial consultation sessions, conduct a thorough review of your patient’s medical history. A facial assessment is also important to plan the treatment goals and outcomes accurately. This is also the time to discuss potential desirable and undesirable effects, as well as risks of the treatment. Once they are deemed suitable and ready, set a date for the procedure. Start the session by thoroughly sanitizing the targeted areas. Assemble the medical device following the instructions on the package insert. The depth of injection varies depending on the product and severity of skin depressions.

1. Volite with Lidocaine: Inject the filler into the dermis.
2. Volbella with Lidocaine: Inject the filler via superficial or mid-dermis injections. If it is used to augment lips, administer it into the lip mucosa layer.
3. Volift with Lidocaine: Inject the filler via deep dermis injections. You should inject it into the lip mucosa layer if it is used to plump lips.
4. Voluma with Lidocaine: Since this filler is intended to provide volume in sunken areas, inject it into subcutaneous, upper-periostea, or deep dermal layers.
5. Ultra Smile: Inject the filler into the lip mucosa layer or dermis layer of the lip.
6. Ultra 2: Inject the filler via mid dermis injections.
7. Ultra 3: Inject the filler via mid-to-deep dermis injections.
8. Ultra 4: Inject the filler via deep dermis injections.
9. Hydrate: Inject the filler via superficial dermis injections.

Take caution to not overcorrect the areas, as it may cause swelling and even tissue death. Gently massage the treated areas to ensure gel distribution. Read the package insert for more directions and precautions.

How long does this dermal filler last?

Juvederm fillers are famed for their instant and durable effects, and are clinically proven to last for up to a year or more, depending on the formula used. The biorevitalizing Hydrate implant usually lasts up to 3 months. Nevertheless, all the implants are fully bioresorbable and tissue friendly; and will disintegrate into the surrounding tissues over time. Patients can then schedule maintenance treatments to retain their youthful looks. The longevity of the results depends on the age, skin health, and lifestyle of patients.

Is this product safe?

Yes, Juvederm fillers are very safe, as the hyaluronic acid is derived from non-animal sources and is less likely to cause allergic reactions. However, it is not recommended to use these fillers for any of the following:

1. Patients who are hypersensitive to any of the components;
2. Patients who are allergic to gram positive bacteria;
3. Patients who are inclined to develop hypertrophic scarring or keloids;
4. Patients who are suffering from skin inflammations or infections like acne, rashes, and herpes;
5. Patient who are taking anticoagulants (e.g. warfarin);
6. Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding;
7. Patients who are under the age of 18.

Please read the package insert for all contraindications.

What are the side effects?

Your patients might develop some undesirable effects due to administration of implant.

Common side effects:

• Redness
• Pain
• Swelling
• Itchiness

These reactions are usually very mild in nature, and should subside within a week. Aftercare methods like avoiding wearing makeup and protecting the areas from extreme temperatures work wonders in healing these side effects. However, some patients may experience rare reactions.

Rare side effects:

• Abscess (Pus)
• Infection
• Induration (Hardening of tissue)
• Immediate or delayed allergic reactions

Refer to the package insert for a complete list of side effects.

What is it made of?

Juvederm fillers are made of cross-linked hyaluronic acid. The resulting gel is very malleable and cohesive and can be injected easily to provide smooth and long-lasting results.