Juvederm® Injections in San Antonio, TX

Juvederm® Injections (Dermal Fillers)

Collagen and the human body are made for each other. Collagen is the protein that creates latticework under our skin. That latticework supports the skin and keeps it firm. Collagen helps creature structure for the skin which provides support, creation of new skin cells, and improves texture.

While collagen is essential for youthful and beautiful skin, there is a problem. Our bodies produce one additional percentage point of less collagen every year right after around the time we celebrate our 20th birthday. After doing a little math, you’ll see that by the age of 45 you’re working with one quarter less collagen. No wonder our cheeks flatten and sag, as well as the area around our mouth. While we get older, our skin can develop lines and creases.

Dermal fillers are formulated to return the volume to deficient areas, and provide a natural and beautiful look. Dr. Schaffer offers the world’s most popular dermal filler, Juvéderm® XC, for his patients from San Antonio, TX and the surrounding areas.

What are dermal fillers?

Dermal fillers are true to their name.Derma Fillers are injected into the desired area and they “fill” in the skin under a wrinkle or area with volume loss. The filler then works to push the skin back up. The FDA approved the first dermal fillers for use in 2006. Juvéderm® and Restylane were those two fillers. Since then, each brand has added various other fillers to target specific areas. Juvéderm® and Restylane are still the two most popular options, however.

Dermal fillers are categorized as either “natural” or “synthetic.” Natural fillers are made with hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance in the body responsible for hydrating and plumping the skin. When injected beneath a wrinkle or area of volume loss, the hyaluronic acid in these fillers instantly binds with nearby water molecules hydrating, plumping, and firming the skin.

Synthetic fillers are made with some form of aqueous gel along with other items, such as calcium microspheres. Most synthetic fillers are injected and begin to trigger the production of new collagen at the injection sites.

What is Juvéderm^® XC?

Juvéderm® XC is the original dermal filler, the first in the Juvéderm® line and still the most popular. Juvéderm® XC is made from hyaluronic acid, so it (along with all of the other Juvéderm® products) is classified as a natural filler. This smooth gel filler can smooth any fine lines and wrinkles and replace the hyaluronic acid your skin has lost with aging. Juvéderm® XC is the only available hyaluronic acid treatment filler that is FDA approved.

Where can Juvéderm^® XC be used?

The area around our mouth loses volume as our collagen production declines as we age. The decrease in collagen production allows the formation of various lines and wrinkles. Juvéderm® XC is effective for erasing or thoroughly lessening the appearance of smile lines/nasolabial folds (running from the nose down to the corners of the mouth), marionette lines (running from the corners of the mouth downward), and parentheses lines (framing the sides of the mouth like parentheses).

Who is a good candidate for Juvéderm^® XC?

As long as the wrinkles you’re looking to treat are static wrinkles, Juvéderm® is an awesome solution. Static wrinkles form due to sun damage, declining collagen production, and other environmental factors. Static wrinkles tend to show themselves at all times. Juvéderm® and other dermal fillers are meant for static wrinkles.

However, if your wrinkles form due to muscle contractions under the skin, these are known as dynamic wrinkles. Crow’s feet, the 11s between your brows, and most forehead lines are all dynamic wrinkles. Juvéderm® does not work on these wrinkles — they are the domain of BOTOX.

Also, because hyaluronic acid naturally occurs in the human body, adverse reactions to Juvéderm® are very rare.

What’s the difference between Botox and Juvéderm?

Dermal fillers work on “static wrinkles” that are the result of sun damage, declining collagen production, personal habits such as smoking, and environmental factors. Static wrinkles show themselves at all times. Some examples of static wrinkles are:

• Smile line/Nasolabial folds (running from the nose to the corners of the mouth)
• Marionette lines (running from the corners of the mouth downward)
• Parentheses lines (framing the sides of the mouth like parentheses)
• Barcode lines (vertical lip lines that form on or just above the upper lip)

Botox is not a dermal filler. It works in a completely different fashion. Botox is made of the botulinum toxin type A, the same bacteria that cause botulism. When Botox is injected into a muscle, the botulinum toxin temporarily paralyzes that muscle, stopping it from contracting. On the upper third of our face, the expressive area, muscle contractions occur when we perform hundreds of thousands of facial expressions and eventually begin to form wrinkles on the surface skin above. These are known as “dynamic wrinkles.”

When you make a frown, squint, or show surprise, you can feel the muscles on your forehead, around your eyes, as your brows contract. Over time, these repeated contractions form crow’s feet (on the outside of the eyes), the 11s (between the eyebrows), and forehead lines. Botox stops the muscle forming any wrinkles from contractions, and this prevents the wrinkle from forming. While these treatments can help enhance your beauty and address facial lines and wrinkles, it is important to remember that Botox doesn’t work on static wrinkles, and dermal fillers don’t work on dynamic wrinkles.

How long will my results last with Juvéderm?

Juvéderm® removes wrinkles and lines around your nose and mouth for up to one year. At that point, your body will eventually absorb the filler and you’ll need another session to maintain your results for another year of enhanced beauty and added youthfulness.

How does Juvéderm^® XC compare with other dermal fillers?

Juvéderm® XC is very versatile. It can be used on the widest group of lines and areas of volume loss. Other fillers, such as Restylane Silk or Juvéderm® Volbella, have very specific uses (for these two fillers, only to add volume to the lips). Juvéderm® is a natural filler, as are all the Restylane and other Juvéderm® fillers. Radiesse, Belotero, and Sculptra are the most popular synthetic fillers.

What are the risks of Juvéderm injections?

Because hyaluronic acid is a substance that naturally occurs in the human body, any reactions to Juvéderm® are almost unheard of. There can be some slight swelling and redness at the injection sites, but that is fleeting.

The real risk is that you won’t like the look after you’ve had Juvéderm® injected. That can be remedied, however, by the injection of an enzyme (hyaluronidase) that instantly neutralizes the hyaluronic acid and dissolves the filler.

Is there recovery after a Juvéderm session?

No. You can return to your normal activities immediately after your session. Your results are immediate, as well. No down time is one of the biggest benefits of having a Juvéderm® session. With other cosmetic treatments and beauty enhancement procedures, down time can last from a few days up to weeks, but with Juvéderm® , there is no recovery time needed at all!

Schedule a Consultation Today!

If you are looking to enhance your beauty and look years younger, Dr. Schaffer and his team of healthcare professionals know exactly how to help. With state-of-the-art technology and equipment, we make sure you receive nothing but the best treatment and achieve the best results.

For more information on our brow lift procedure, call 210-227-3223 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Schaffer, and to see how we can help you reach your desired beauty goals. Our practice serves San Antonio, Austin, and surrounding areas in Texas.