Juvéderm + lidocaine = Juvéderm XC

Want to try facial fillers, but think the treatments might be too uncomfortable? Now there's a better way.

“By combining Juvéderm with the local anesthetic lidocaine, Allergan has made facial injectable treatments a lot easier for patients,” says Dr. Parungao.

• No extra set of anesthetic injections
• Lidocaine mixed with Juvéderm instantly numbs the treatment area
• Treatments take less time—no waiting up to 30 minutes for a separate anesthetic to take effect

What can Juvéderm do?

• Smooth the “parentheses” from your nose to the corners of your mouth
• Add fullness to thin lips
• Fill in the lines between your eyebrows
• Smooth out acne scars or pits
• Diminish vertical lip lines (smoker's lines)

“You'll notice the results of a Juvéderm treatment immediately,” says Dr. Parungao.

What is Juvéderm?

Juvéderm is a smooth-consistency injectable gel made of hyaluronic acid—a naturally occurring substance in your skin that helps add volume and restore moisture.

This gel is available in four formulations:

• Juvéderm Ultra, for versatility in contouring and volumizing moderate wrinkles and folds
• Juvéderm Ultra XC—Juvéderm Ultra with lidocaine
• Juvéderm Ultra Plus, a more robust formulation for treating deeper wrinkles and folds
• Juvéderm Ultra Plus—Juvéderm Ultra Plus with lidocaine

Juvéderm is the first FDA-approved hyaluronic acid dermal filler proven safe and effective for people of color.

What is hyaluronic acid?

Hyaluronic acid is a natural complex sugar found in all living cells. It holds collagen and elastin together and provides a framework for the skin.

Hyaluronic acid hydrates skin by retaining water like a sponge, absorbing more than 1,000 times its weight. This helps increase your skin's volume and density for a more youthful appearance.

How are Juvéderm treatments given?

Dr. Parungao will assess your facial wrinkles and folds and advise you on whether you are a good candidate for Juvéderm. If you are, the injection process takes less than 15 minutes and the results are immediate.

And there's minimal recovery or down time—so you can step into Dr, Parungao's office for treatment and step right back into your life.

How long do Juvéderm treatments last?

Juvéderm is the only hyaluronic acid dermal filler approved by the FDA to last up to one year from initial treatment. “The length of time any facial filler will last depends in part on where it is injected. The less movement in that area of the face, the longer the filler will last,” Dr. Parungao explains.

Are there any side-effects?

Allergan reports that Juvéderm's side-effects were usually mild to moderate, lasting seven days or less, and included temporary injection site reactions like redness, pain, firmness, swelling and bumps. As with all skin injection procedures, there is a risk of infection.

Are there patients who should not receive Juvéderm?

You should not use Juvéderm if you have:

• Severe allergies marked by a history of anaphylaxis
• Multiple severe allergies
• Allergies to gram-positive bacterial proteins

If you are allergic to lidocaine, you should not use Juvéderm Ultra XC or Juvéderm Ultra Plus XC.

Should I stop taking any medications before having a Juvéderm treatment?

Yes. For 10 days before having a Juvéderm treatment, it is recommended that you refrain from taking medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) that thin the blood. If you are on any prescription blood thinners such as Coumadin (warfarin), you need to check with your primary care physician before stopping that medication.

Refraining from using blood-thinning medications will greatly reduce your chances of bruising after a facial injectable treatment.

Where can I find patient Juvéderm safety information?

Before beginning Juvéderm treatments, please review this important information from Allergan:

Juvéderm Ultra patient safety information
Juvéderm Ultra Plus patient safety information.