Dermal fillers come in many different types. Juvederm, a hyaluronic acid filler, is one of the most reliable dermal fillers on the market for dramatic appearance improvements. At Cosmetic Surgery Boulder in Boulder, CO, we are proud to offer several Juvederm formulas to ensure our clients walk out of our clinic with their desired results. Many people have questions regarding this treatment, including how often you can receive dermal fillers and how long results will last. If you have questions, we have answers. Read on to learn more about Juvederm.
How Often Should You Receive Juvederm Treatments?
Most clients looking to receive dermal fillers are not looking for a short-term solution. No one wants to have to keep appointments every other month just to maintain their anti-aging goals. One of the reasons why Juvederm is so highly sought after is for the longevity of its results. Of course, individual results will vary, but results from these dermal fillers typically last between six and 24 months.
This range is relatively wide, and that’s due to the size of hyaluronic acid molecules found in each unique formula. The manufacturing processes for binding the formulas can also impact the longevity of each formula. Still, there is generally no need to receive multiple treatments within a year. To achieve and maintain your ideal results, it is recommended to schedule treatments for every one to two years.
Anti-Aging Has No Permanent Solution
While it isn’t possible to permanently reverse the signs of aging, some injectables last longer than others. This particular type of dermal filler is known and loved for creating long-lasting results, but your body’s metabolism will determine how long your results last. Because your body metabolizes hyaluronic acid, the injected dermal fillers will ultimately only give you temporary results. How long your results last depends on how fast your metabolism is. You may see results fade sooner if your metabolism rate is higher.
Filler Degradation and Metabolization
Along with metabolization, hyaluronic acid injected into the body will also degrade over time. There are many factors that have been scientifically proven to affect the longevity of this naturally-occurring chemical compound in the body. For example, if your skin is injured or dehydrated, your body will metabolize hyaluronic acid faster to heal and rehydrate.
Your diet can also affect the longevity of your fillers, as well as sun exposure, and how often you move your face. Your skin metabolizes hyaluronic acid faster in areas which are more mobile. Lips, for example, will metabolize hyaluronic acid faster due to frequent use. Hyaluronic acid injected into your cheeks, on the other hand, will degrade comparatively slowly.
Expectations Regarding Results
It’s important to have realistic expectations about how long your results will last. With this particular dermal filler, results are reliable. Though they won’t last forever, you can predictably determine the rate at which your results will fade. You’ll see your results slowly fade over the span of several months, giving you ample time to notice and schedule your next appointment. The following are typical time frames for each individual formula:
- Voluma XC: two years
- Vollure XC: 18 months to two years
- Ultra Plus XC: one year to 18 months
- Volbella XC: 6 months to a year
- Ultra XC: 6 months to a year
How To Promote Longer-Lasting Results
In addition to selecting an appropriate filler formula for your targeted areas with our team, you can take some extra precautionary measures to prolong the effects of your injections. For example, being mindful about touching your face – especially immediately after treatment – can help to promote longevity. During the first 24 hours after your treatments, it is essential that the treated areas be handled gently. Be careful not to apply pressure to the areas you’ve had treated, as the filler needs time to settle into your skin.
It is also advisable to receive dermal roller or microneedling treatments after being treated with dermal fillers. This is because these treatments, which cause tiny punctures to the skin, will speed up the degradation of the hyaluronic acid in order to repair the injured skin.
Sun Protection
Did you know that unprotected sun exposure causes almost 90% of age-related skin concerns? In addition, sun exposure is known to accelerate the degradation of hyaluronic acid. For longer-lasting results, it is important to minimize sun exposure and wear SPF 30 or higher when sun exposure is unavoidable. If you’re going to be out in the sun for a prolonged period of time, it’s essential that you reapply sunscreen often. Follow the instructions on the back of your sunscreen bottle.
SPF 55 or higher is recommended for those with a family history of skin conditions. Minimizing time spent outside between 10 and 4, when the sun is at its strongest, is highly recommended.
Keep a Healthy Diet
Skin health comes from the inside out, so eating nutritious foods will help keep your skin looking vibrant and youthful. Follow the food pyramid to ensure your diet is balanced and contains lean proteins, healthy fats, whole grains, and vitamins. Your skin requires micro- and macro-nutrients from healthy, whole foods to produce collagen, hyaluronic acid, elastin, and other foundational ingredients to skin health. We recommend skipping processed foods, as they rob you of the essential proteins and fibers needed to maintain beautiful skin.
Reduce High-Intensity Exercise
Working out is an essential part of maintaining your overall health and well-being. As intense exercise significantly increases your metabolism, high-intensity workouts are not recommended for prolonging your dermal filler results. Higher metabolism rates will expedite the metabolization of hyaluronic acid, so it is especially important not to encourage a spike in your metabolism post-treatment. After the first week post-treatment has passed and the filler has settled into your skin, you may resume your typical workout routine.
Stress Management
Stress is a known factor for negatively impacting the appearance of the skin. When you’re stressed, your body produces extra cortisol, a hormone known to break down hyaluronic acid. In addition to speeding up the degradation of hyaluronic acid, cortisol also decreases collagen production. While it’s not always possible to eradicate stress, stress management is an important part of skin care. Heightened stress levels will adversely affect not only your mood and daily life, but also the longevity of your results. Be sure to take time for yourself on a daily basis and implement self care strategies to manage daily stress.
Daily Skincare Routines
Your results can also be impacted significantly by your daily skincare routine. To complement your treatment, we recommend using serums or moisturizers that include active ingredients. Products containing hyaluronic acid, collagen, and retinoids can all contribute to lengthening the effects of your treatment.
Maintenance Appointments
The only way to guarantee lifetime results is to be diligent about booking regular maintenance sessions. Based on which formula you receive during your treatment, our team can help you to schedule your follow-up appointments to ensure you see lasting, continuous results.
Preparing For Treatment
Juvederm injections are fast and convenient. Sometimes called “lunchtime treatments”, these hyaluronic acid dermal fillers generally take only half an hour to complete. Treatment is painless, as all formulas contain small percentages of lidocaine to numb the treatment area. Topical anesthetics can also be applied to the treatment area to ensure you do not experience discomfort during part of the treatment process. Any residual numbness will not interfere with daily functioning.
In the 24 hours before your appointment, it’s important to refrain from drinking alcohol, minimize caffeine consumption, and decrease sodium intake. Additionally, it is imperative that you discontinue the use of any blood-thinning medications or supplements for 72 hours leading up to your appointment. Recovery time for this treatment is not necessary. You can drive yourself to and from your appointment, as no general anesthesia or sedation is required. Please remember to adhere to our tips for longer-lasting results; the first 24 hours especially are crucial in ensuring you receive the results you desire.
Book Your Dermal Filler Appointment Today
When it comes to dermal fillers, Juvederm comes highly recommended by our team. With several formulas to offer for customized results, this dermal filler has effective solutions for every treatment area of the face. So whether you’re looking to book your first appointment, or you’re noticing the results of your last appointment fading and need to follow-up, contact our team at Boulder Plastic Surgery in Boulder, CO today.