Many individuals find themselves saddled with emotional depression as their age seemingly makes itself visible overnight. Although one may say that many good things come with age such as wisdom, experience, a deeper religious understanding, and more love from a bigger family, there are also difficulties that present themselves as blows to one’s self esteem. Physical aging can be very cumbersome for a person. Sagging facial skin, hollowing of cheeks and other previously plump areas, and the etching of lines can all be rather traumatic to deal with, and cause much insecurity about one’s appearance. Fortunately, Juvederm is there to provide relief.

There are a lot of injectable fillers in the market today, but Juvederm is one of the latest and most preferred products being used by doctors in the United States. It was researched for decades before finally being given approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration in June 2006. Botox may be the frontline product in the war against facial aging, but even Botox cannot deal with everything, such as the much deeper creases that develop with old age. This is where Juvederm comes in. It is composed of hyaluronic acid, a substance also found in the human body but in this case derived from harmless bacterial cultures. Hyaluronic acid works by combining with the collagen and elastin in our skin to move basic nutrients towards it. Collagen is the substance that naturally supports the skin and research shows that when the acid combines with it even more collagen is created. Hyaluronic acid has also been discovered to stop the breakdown of existing collagen, as pleasantly revealed in recent laboratory studies.

Juvederm is chiefly used in removing nasolabial folds. These are the wrinkles that run from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth. They are more commonly known as smile lines. Juvederm can, however, be used for other wrinkles, facial and lip volumizing, acne craters, and scars.

The procedure begins with a syringe filled with Juvederm being carefully injected into the skin to augment wrinkles and folds. Skilled physicians may use a topical anesthesia to make the whole process comfortable. Some physicians or health care professionals may also gently massage the injected areas. Overall, it is a very simple process that takes a mere 15 minutes to complete. A mother may come in from the gym or even from dropping the kids off at school and go through a quick treatment without any hassle. Make up and your usual facial lotions may even be used after the procedure.

Effects are reported to last from 4 to 9 months depending on the area of application. Injections of Juvederm in parts of the face that move most constantly, such as the mouth, will wear off faster. Also, depending on the patients’ physiology, effects may last only 3 months for some and as much as 12 to 13 months for others.

One whole day after treatment, you will be advised to avoid excessive facial expressions, exercising strenuously, intense heat or sunlight, and drinking alcohol. This will minimize the swelling, redness, and itchiness normally expected after the procedure. Some additional bumps, firmness, and pain may also be felt after the next two or three days but most side-effects fade away after a week. There have been some rare cases that displayed discoloration, granuloma, abcess, necrosis, product migration and hypersensitivity. Most of these were reported to be reversed by standard medication. In the first place it is necessary for patients to tell their doctors if they have a history of intense allergies or auto immune diseases to prevent any unwanted reactions.

With Juvederm, the path to a younger, fresher look seems only a syringe away.