Dermal fillers have made significant strides in transforming the beauty industry since their debut nearly twenty years ago. The idea that fillers should be reserved for anti-aging or preventative skin care purposes has long blown over. With the recent demographic shift in beauty seekers, out merely to enhance and accentuate their features, fillers have made an exciting comeback and gained special popularity among celebs. There is no hiding Kylie Jenner’s much-talked-about transformation, and the 22-year-old makeup mogul herself openly acknowledges and embraces her use of facial fillers in Paper Magazine. “It’s fillers,” she states simply. “I’m not denying that.”
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But with so many aesthetic treatments on the rise, it’s hard not to confuse fillers with other treatments like Botox. So the question remains: what are dermal fillers and how do they work? With the help of our experts, we’re more than happy to share our findings below.
What Are Fillers?
Due to growing demand, there are many types of dermal fillers available in the market today. The two leading manufacturers of injectable fillers are Allergan and Galderma. In addition to fillers, Allergan also manufactures the well-known botulinum toxin wrinkle treatment, Botox, as well as commonly used silicone for breast implants. In comparison to Galderma, Allergan dominates the cosmetic enhancement market.
Juvedérm is one of the most-used and trusted dermal fillers in the market today. Since Allergan announced the FDA’s approval of Juvedérm back in 2006, it’s become the world’s #1 selling dermal filler collection. Juvedérm is composed of hyaluronic acid (HA), a natural, gel-like substance that is already found in skin. HA fillers do more than just smooth wrinkles and creases: they plump, hydrate, and rejuvenate skin to promote a youthful glow. In fact, a 2007 research study shows that hyaluronic acid injections boost the skin’s own production of collagen, prolonging its effect.
The Juvedérm family has five products, each different in molecular composition, to help address various facial concerns. Softer fillers are used for areas like the lips, while thicker fillers can be used to enhance cheekbones. Such fillers are known to have a high G Prime, meaning their general density is thicker.
How Are Fillers Used?
Fillers like Juvedérm can be injected in two ways: through a hypodermic needle or blunt-tip cannula. The cannula technique uses a flexible, blunt-tip needle at the initial injection site, which is less likely to puncture a blood vessel during the injection process. Using a cannula thus minimizes side effects like bruising and swelling.
The injection technique is influenced by the type of filler and area being treated and should be determined by the injector. Ideally, the injector is trained in both methods of injection and will be able to provide insight after evaluating your skin.
Juvedérm fillers dissolve naturally and gradually over time. Results typically last anywhere between 12 to 24 months depending on the individual.
Which Filler Is Right For You?
Understanding which filler is right for you means understanding your unique skin care needs (e.g., elasticity and sun exposure), as well as considering other factors like your budget, your desired experience, and your preferences for a practitioner.
However, navigating between the different types of Juvedérm fillers on your own can be challenging. We approached our professional experts at Prolase so that they could provide us with a guide to choosing facial fillers to best suit the area of injection for optimal results.
Juvedérm Products
Get to know the Juvedérm family of dermal-filler products:
Juvedérm Voluma XC
Juvedérm Ultra XC
Juvedérm Volbella XC
Juvedérm Vollure XC
Juvedérm Ultra Plus XC
The Injection Sites
Not all Juvedérm facial fillers are the same. For desired results specifically tailored to you, it’s important for the filler type to align with the area that’s being treated. So we’ve highlighted the main areas for facial fillers below, and allowed our experts to provide us with the answers.
Lips
With JUVÉDERM® Ultra XC, Nasolabial folds, or smile lines around the nose and mouth, can be treated nonsurgically. JUVÉDERM® Ultra XC soothes and greatly reduces moderate to severe lines.
Cheekbones
With aging comes loss of volume in the cheeks, which may cause skin to sag over time. That’s where JUVÉDERM VOLUMA® XC comes in. By adding volume beneath the skin’s surface, Juvedérm is able to lift and contour the cheek area.
Vertical Lip Lines
JUVÉDERM VOLBELLA® XC is used for both lip augmentation and correction of perioral lines, more commonly known as “lipstick lines.” JUVÉDERM® Ultra XC temporarily plumps and adds fullness to lips.