Ask Dr. Man- Juvederm

Dear Dr. Man, I’ve been seeing commercials on television for Juvederm, which is supposed to help wrinkles. They mention eliminating lines (parentheses) around the mouth, which is exactly what I have and want to get rid of. Can you tell me more about Juvederm? Is this injected into the face? Signed, Parentheses in Boca

Dear Parentheses, When wrinkles, creases and sunken areas of the face begin to appear with aging, the use of facial fillers is usually a good treatment option for most people. Some common fillers are hyaluronic acids, fat, and collagen, just to name a few. Like other hyaluronic acid injectable fillers (e.g. Restylane, Perlane, etc.), Juvederm™ is injected directly into the face for immediate, natural looking results. Juvederm is the most recently approved dermal (skin) filler on the market today. It is designed to smooth out facial folds and wrinkles to produce a smoother, more youthful looking appearance for up to six months.

In 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Allergan’s Juvederm as the “next generation of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers.” Juvederm is said to provide longer-lasting, smoother results than its competitors. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring complex sugar found in living organisms that creates structure and elasticity in the skin. With age, the body’s production of hyaluronic acid decreases, and injectable fillers help restore facial volume. Juvederm, however, is unlike other hyaluronic acid fillers in that it consists of a smooth gel containing higher levels of non-animal and cross-linked acid, leading to longer lasting results.

The ideal candidates for Juvederm treatments include individuals with moderate to severe folds and wrinkles around the nose and mouth area. Some of the benefits of Juvederm include:

* Minimized appearance of wrinkles and folds
* Immediate improvement in facial volume and structure
* Minimally invasive treatment with no downtime
* Longer-lasting results

Some patients experience mild, temporary side effects including swelling, bruising, redness, and tenderness; however, most patients tolerate Juvederm very well.

Talk with a board-certified plastic surgeon to see if Juvederm is the correct procedure for you. Good luck!

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Dr. Daniel Man is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has dedicated his life’s work to helping people look younger and improve their appearance through cosmetic surgery. He is a noted author, artist, inventor and educator. Dr. Man has been featured on major television networks, as well as national and local magazines and newspapers for his work as both a plastic surgeon and an artist. He has a successful private practice in Boca Raton, FL. For more information about Dr. Man, visit www.drman.com.