Facial lines with names like crow’s feet and cigarette lines are not what you want to see when you look in the mirror each morning, Yet, for many people, they are part of growing older. At Flores Plastic Surgery in Miami, FL, we believe you don’t have to grow old gracefully. Targeted filler treatments form the popular Juvederm line of injectables can address many concerns associated with aging skin. Keep reading to find which formulation is right for you.
What Happens as Skin Ages?
Collagen is a major component of skin. It contributes elasticity and softness to the skin while helping to create a full and youthful appearance. As you get older, your body’s production of collagen starts to slow down. The earliest signs of decreased collagen are often fine lines appearing around your eyes, skin that is less hydrated and firm, and a loss of volume around your cheeks. Thinning of your lips and feathering around them may begin to take place. As levels get lower, more pronounced lines begin to appear, particularly around the mouth.
Some lifestyle habits can exacerbate the symptoms of aging skin. Smoking, poor diet, and exposure to heavy air pollution levels or the sun can damage your skin, too. That damage can speed up the natural aging process and lead to more pronounced and deeper wrinkles and creases.
How Do Dermal Fillers Help?
Dermal fillers are a type of cosmetic injectable used to combat the signs of aging on several fronts. They are injected under the skin with a very fine needle. They are versatile and can be used for a variety of age-related skin concerns. These include replacing volume that is lost
due to decreased collagen and subcutaneous fat and reducing the appearance of wrinkles and lines resulting from the natural aging process or environmental factors.
Most of the widely used fillers, and all of the Juvederm products, use hyaluronic acid. This is a naturally occurring compound that is found primarily in your joints. Because your body already contains hyaluronic acid, it is usually well tolerated. Hyaluronic acid is incredibly hydrophilic, meaning it attracts and absorbs water molecules. Once injected into your treatment areas, it attracts and holds on to water. That can help to rehydrate and plump your skin in those areas.
Some types of fillers also rely on the consistency of the product. This is particularly true of formulations that target thinning areas of the cheeks and lips. These tend to be very thick gel-like products that result in the immediate restoration of volume with additional benefits gradually appearing in the weeks after your treatment.
Which Juvederm Formulation Is Best for You?
Younger looking, smoother, and more elastic skin doesn’t have to be a dream. Dermal fillers can help make it a reality. We offer four of the popular Juvederm formulations at Flores Plastic Surgery in Miami, FL: VOLBELLA(R), VOLUMA(R), Ultra XC(R), and VOLLURE(TM). Each of these is specially formulated to target a specific area of the face and skin concern. Each of the formulas works to fill creases, restore volume to facial contours, and smooth fine lines and wrinkles in one way or another. That means there is most likely a Juvederm formula that is just right for your beauty concerns, no matter what they are.
Your skin concerns and beauty goals are very personal and unique to you, and the results you are looking to achieve will directly affect what type of cosmetic procedures you decide on. However, dermal fillers are better at addressing some concerns than others. If your beauty goals involve plumper lips, improved and fuller contours throughout your cheeks, and a reduction in lines, wrinkles, and creases, than cosmetic injectables like Juvederm may be just what you have been looking for. Take a few minutes to learn about the different formulas and what each one is designed to do.
VOLBELLA(R)
When the appearance of your smile is starting to bring you down, it may be time to ask about VOLBELLA(R) treatments. They can help restore a youthful and full smile to your face. This formulation of the popular Juvederm line is designed to gently and softly plump your lips while filling and smoothing the vertical lines around your mouth area. You could say goodbye to unsightly lipstick lines and feathering around your mouth in just one treatment.
Results vary among people, but you should expect to enjoy the benefits of either a VOLBELLA(R) or Ultra XC(R) treatment for up to 12 months, which means you will have plenty of time to enjoy that younger-looking smile. So, go ahead and spread on a coat of lipstick without worrying about feathering or bleeding.
Ultra XC(R)
Another popular choice is the Ultra treatment. This version of the dermal filler line is designed to increase volume throughout your lips and fill in hollows around your mouth area. In addition to plumping lips, Ultra can also help to reduce, fill, and smooth laugh lines and nasolabial folds. These can add years to your appearance, so you can expect a more youthful appearance after treatment.
As you age, your lips lose volume. This can make them seem thinner and less defined. That loss may also result in more pronounced puckering above the lip, known as lipstick lines. You can use over-the-counter creams and serums to achieve small improvements, but you will need to step up to a professional treatment to truly reverse this telltale sign of aging skin.
Dermal fillers may be a good fit for you if you have concerns about thinning lips. They work to plump your lips from within, giving them a fuller and younger-looking appearance. That restored volume and increased hydration can also help minimize the look of puckering and wrinkles above your lips.
VOLUMA(R)
The natural reduction in skin and tissue volume and hydration is part of aging. Unfortunately, it can also drastically change your appearance. Some of those will be subtle and barely noticeable. For some people, however, that loss of volume results in cheeks and mid-face contours that are completely altered.
VOLUMA(R) helps restore volume and fullness throughout the cheeks and midfacial areas. It is a strategic treatment option for people who have lost volume and fullness throughout these areas. VOLUMA(R) works to gently plump your cheeks from within and results in a natural-looking and more youthful appearance. The appearance of nasolabial folds, sagging skin, and wrinkles may also be noticeably diminished after treatment.
Every person reacts differently to their treatment, but you should generally expect the results from VOLUMA(R) to last for up to two years. Talk to your provider about designing an optimal treatment plan for the best, longest-lasting results. You don’t have to live with gaunt and hollow cheeks any longer. Instead, take the time to find out how VOLUMA(R) can help restore fullness to your facial lines.
VOLLURE(TM)
Often, one of the first signs of aging that you will notice on your face is the development of fine lines and wrinkles. They are a natural part of aging, but that doesn’t mean you have to accept them as inevitable or irreversible. Dermal fillers can be an excellent choice to help you combat these signs of aging skin.
Within the Juvederm line, the VOLLURE(TM) formula is designed to address lines, folds, creases, and wrinkles at every stage. It is most effective at early and shallow wrinkles. So, whether you are just starting to notice fine lines or you have grown tired of looking at deepening facial creases, VOLLURE(TM) is the product that may be able to help.
It is particularly useful on the skin around your mouth and cheeks. Injected directly into the treatment area you and your doctor have decided on to smooth out your skin and fill creases, it can help to minimize the appearance of mild to moderate wrinkles and lines. The result is smoother and younger-looking skin that you can be proud to show off. VOLLURE(TM) also works to reduce the appearance of deeper facial folds, such as nasolabial folds or parentheses lines and marionette lines.
If you are unfamiliar with the term, marionette lines are those nagging lines that appear around and below your mouth. They will often drag the corners of your lips downward, making you appear to be frowning. Parentheses lines develop from the corners of your mouth upward, toward your nose, which is why they are also known as nasolabial folds. No matter what types of wrinkles or folds you are looking to treat with these fillers, you should expect to see results within a couple of weeks. With VOLLURE(TM), these should last for up to 18 months.
What Is a Treatment Session Like?
During your treatment session, your doctor will gently cleanse the area to be treated. After that, you may receive a topical anesthetic to increase your comfort. Most sessions will take between 15 and 90 minutes from start to finish. The number of injections administered will vary depending on the size of your treatment area and the results you are trying to achieve. This will be discussed during your initial consultation, prior to your treatment date.
Juvederm is considered safe and effective. It is approved by the FDA for use as a cosmetic injectable. There is little to no downtime after treatment. That is great because it means you can usually return to normal activity right away. So, go ahead and schedule your treatment sessions during your lunch break and then head right back to work to finish your day.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Treatment?
Cosmetic injectable treatments are widely considered safe and effective at treating signs of aging skin in adults. Both men and women in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and beyond can expect to see good results with treatment.
If you have concerns about wrinkles, loss of volume in your facial contours, or grooves around your mouth, you could potentially
benefit from one of these specially formulated treatment programs. There are some conditions, such as pregnancy and infection in the treatment area, that may cause yo u to postpone treatment. Be sure to discuss any medical conditions during your consultation.
Where Can I Find Out More?
Contact Flores Plastic Surgery in Miami, FL, today to find out if you are a good candidate for Juvederm. Our knowledgeable staff will be happy to discuss which of the popular formulas would best address your specific concerns and help you reach your beauty goals. We can explain the entire process to you and then work together to develop a customized treatment plan to help you achieve the more youthful appearance you are longing for. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation.