Have you become concerned about changes in your skin that are the natural result of aging? Perhaps you are seeing lines on your face get deeper, such as nasolabial folds near the mouth and nose or frown lines on the forehead. Perhaps your skin has lost some volume, or maybe you wish you could smooth imperfections such as marks or acne scars. We all struggle with changes in our facial skin that come with maturity, but at Nubo Spa in Berkeley, CA, we can actually do something about these problems with a long-lasting dermal filler known as Juvederm.
Know more about how long does Juvederm Last.
Contents
- 1 What Is the Juvederm XC Dermal Filler?
- 2 What Is Hyaluronic Acid?
- 3 How Can a Hyaluronic Acid Filler Restore Volume?
- 4 What Areas Can It Treat?
- 5 How Long Do Results Last?
- 6 How Long Does Treatment Take?
- 7 What Kinds of Anesthetics Are Used?
- 8 Alternative Treatment Options
- 9 What Is the First Step?
- 10 Book Your Consultation
- 11 Juvederm FAQS
- 11.1 How Quickly Will I See Results?
- 11.2 How Does This Compare to Collagen Treatments?
- 11.3 Can I Combine Hyaluronic Acid With Botox or Other Treatments?
- 11.4 How Many Days Do I Need to Take Off Work?
- 11.5 What Is the Recovery Period Like?
- 11.6 What Do I Need to Avoid?
- 11.7 What Happens After Treatment Wears Off?
- 11.8 Who Is a Candidate for This Treatment?
What Is the Juvederm XC Dermal Filler?
At Nubo Spa, we offer a number of different dermal filler treatments. This particular filler is special because of its longevity and the accuracy with which we can target certain aesthetic challenges. It is also notable because it is a hyaluronic acid filler and works differently from neurotoxins (Botox, Xeomin, Dysport) or collagen treatments (Restylane).
Hyaluronic Acid Filler
These fillers add volume to the face, lips, and cheeks by replenishing your skin’s supply of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is actually a type of sugar that exists naturally in your skin. Everyone has some hyaluronic acid in their skin, but the levels begin to become depleted as we age, triggering volume loss, deepening lines, and more numerous wrinkles.
Trusted by Millions
Over two million injections are performed every year in the United States alone. This filler has a very high satisfaction rating, with many repeat customers who want to use it in other areas. The treatment has been on the market for almost fifteen years and has improved the lives of millions of patients.
FDA Approved
This filler was approved for use in treating problems of volume loss and lines in the face in 2006. Several different varieties have entered the market since this point, increasing the versatility of the treatment options. The treatment has also been updated in the intervening years. Perhaps the most significant update is that it now includes lidocaine, a local anesthetic that makes the treatment process and recovery period both more comfortable.
What Is Hyaluronic Acid?
The reason this type of treatment is effective is that it works with your skin’s natural processes. Hyaluronic acid performs several important functions in your skin. It helps deliver nutrients to the different layers of your skin. It acts as a cushioning agent and keeps the skin supple. Most significant of all, it has water-binding properties that help deliver hydration to your skin.
How Can a Hyaluronic Acid Filler Restore Volume?
We have the highest levels of this sugar when our skin is healthy and young. Aging and exposure to the sun can decrease the amount of hyaluronic acid that naturally exists. When we get a “refill” from a hyaluronic acid filler, we help restore a youthful appearance and consistency to the skin.
The new hyaluronic acid binds to the water molecules in our system, helping the skin stay hydrated and adding volume over time. This natural approach to wrinkle treatment does more than just treat the surface: it treats the underlying cause of the lines and wrinkles.
What Areas Can It Treat?
Every spa is different when it comes to which varieties it carries and offers or how a particular filler is used. At Nubo Spa, we use this filler primarily for the treatment of nasolabial folds––the lines that are sometimes called “parenthesis lines.” These run from the bottom of the nose, alongside the mouth, down to the corner of the lips.
Most people notice these lines becoming more pronounced with age, making the folds one of the most noticeable signs of aging. With proper treatment we can soften those lines significantly, taking years off by returning a smoother and softer look to the mouth, nose, and lower part of the face.
How Long Do Results Last?
Nubo Spa uses two different types of Juvederm XC: Ultra, and Ultra Plus. Both are excellent choices for treating nasolabial folds. Ultra Plus is a thicker form of the filler, and it is especially useful in situations where more volume is required. Although they are different formulas, Ultra and Ultra Plus both routinely show positive results between 6 and 9 months after treatment. It is common for results to last a year, however, as everyone reacts to treatments differently.
How Long Does Treatment Take?
A typical injection will only require about 15 minutes to administer. We use a very fine needle that is able to deliver the filler to higher or lower layers of the skin, depending on what the specific treatment area requires. The treatment session may also take a little longer if a topical anesthetic is used, but a session will usually be under an hour.
What Kinds of Anesthetics Are Used?
The XC version of the filler is a more recent, updated formula from the original version that came out in 2006. This version contains lidocaine, which is a local anesthetic that is mixed into the filler and is injected at the same time. Because of this anesthetic, discomfort can be kept to a minimum.
However, it is also possible for the patient to request a topical anesthetic ahead of the injection. This is usually a cream or something similar that is applied directly to the treatment area before the injection takes place.
Alternative Treatment Options
Sometimes, patients may decide to look at a different treatment option. In these cases, our office offers several dermal fillers. These include:
Restylane
Restylane can be used for similar lines, but also for wrinkles on the skin. As with other dermal fillers, it is a non-surgical option that requires no downtime. It also uses hyaluronic acid to achieve this.
Radiesse
Radiesse targets some of the same areas and can help address nasolabial folds. Unlike hyaluronic acid fillers, it is a collagen treatment. It works more slowly, but for some patients, this can be exactly what they want.
Belotero
Belotero is a fast-acting hyaluronic acid filler. It is often used as an alternative in this case, because it is a good choice for nasolabial folds. Belotero also contains lidocaine, so it may not seem like there is any difference, but they differ in the size of folds that they usually treat. Belotero is typically used for fine lines and detailed treatment, while Juvederm is more often used for filling in deeper folds.
If you are interested, the staff at Nubo Spa can answer more questions about any of these alternative treatment options.
What Is the First Step?
The first step with any treatment choice is to contact our office and set up a personal aesthetic consultation with our staff. You may have other questions that weren’t covered here or that are specific to your medical situation. During an in-person consultation, we can discuss your unique goals. We talk about your medical history so we can be sure that this is the right choice for you. This consultation is led by Dr. Shay.
Book Your Consultation
Aging skin can become quite noticeable with time, but it doesn’t have to be something you simply accept. You can rejuvenate your look, smooth your parenthesis lines, and restore a young, vibrant aesthetic with Juvederm. Are you ready to find out more? Contact Nubo Spa in Berkeley/Kensington for a consultation!
Juvederm FAQS
What Else Do I Need to Know?
There are many questions that first-time patients typically have when they get this treatment. Although we can’t answer all of them in one place, here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions:
How Quickly Will I See Results?
Patients will see results almost instantaneously. Of course, the filler has just been added to the skin, and as a result, it starts to add at least some volume right away. However, the skin will need some time to adjust and absorb the hyaluronic acid. Ideal results will be best seen after a period of roughly two weeks.
How Does This Compare to Collagen Treatments?
Collagen treatments are fundamentally different in the way they operate. A collagen treatment stimulates the growth of new collagen in your skin over a long period of time, often requiring six months to work. Both collagen and hyaluronic acid treatments deliver reliably natural-looking results, but a hyaluronic acid filler will show ideal benefits much sooner.
Can I Combine Hyaluronic Acid With Botox or Other Treatments?
Hyaluronic acid treatments are often used in place of Botox if a patient discovers that Botox has started to lose its effectiveness. In addition, patients often get Botox on the upper regions of the face (like frown lines) while Ultra and Ultra Plus will be used more for the nose and mouth region (like parenthesis lines).
How Many Days Do I Need to Take Off Work?
In many cases, none at all! It is typical for people to get this treatment on a break or in between other commitments. The treatment is what’s known as an in-and-out treatment, meaning that a patient can come into the office and leave without needing significant recovery.
What Is the Recovery Period Like?
There is almost no downtime required, as patients can resume nearly all of their normal activities on the same day as the treatment session. Some patients experience tenderness in the treatment area, but this subsides quickly.
What Do I Need to Avoid?
Before your session, it is often advisable to avoid aspirin and other similar painkillers. We know that many patients rely on such medications for medical reasons, however, certain painkillers can thin the blood, leading to complications during an injection.
After a treatment session, patients should avoid alcohol, strenuous exercise, and unnecessary amounts of exposure to sunlight or heat. Sunbathing, saunas, tanning, and other similar activities should be postponed for a day or two after the session.
What Happens After Treatment Wears Off?
Although hyaluronic acid can deliver excellent results, they do not last forever. However, it is easy to maintain good results by scheduling routine maintenance treatments. Many patients elect to get touch-up or follow-up treatments once a year. This may vary depending on the patient, and our staff can help you determine the right schedule for you. By maintaining your results, you can ensure that you will continue to experience the benefits of treatment for years to come.
Who Is a Candidate for This Treatment?
This filler works with almost anyone who is over 21 years of age and wishes to soften or reduce the appearance of their nasolabial folds. It can also help with other lines around the mouth and nose. Because hyaluronic acid is a commonly-occurring substance, there is no risk of an allergic reaction to it. The treatment is the first FDA-approved filler for people of color, and it works with almost any skin type.
The filler should not be used by anyone who is currently pregnant or by anyone who is breastfeeding. Because the filler contains lidocaine, it should also be avoided by anyone with an allergy to the anesthetic.