Vancouver Juvéderm^® treatments (in Surrey): a hyaluronic acid dermal filler

Vancouver Juvéderm^® treatments (in Surrey) are not just for wrinkles! This anti-aging product can be used to boost multiple facial features on your skin that have been depleted of moisture, collagen and elasticity. The line of Juvéderm^® solutions are as follows:

• Juvéderm^® VOLBELLA^® – this is for slightly changing the lip shape and adding fullness to the lips. It is also used to add volume to tear troughs, to smooth the bags or hollows under your eyes.
• Juvéderm^® VOLIFT^® – this is for smoothing smile lines, marionette lines and nasolabial lines around the mouth.
• Juvéderm^® VOLUMA^® – this is for performing a non-surgical cheek-lift. It is the longest-lasting Juvéderm^® formula. It was named a “beauty breakthrough” by Allure magazine in 2014.
• Juvéderm^® ULTRA XCTM – this is for gentle wrinkle reduction, such as frown lines, lines around the eyebrows, or vertical lines around the mouth.
• Juvéderm^® ULTRA PLUS XCTM – this is for deep wrinkles and folds, such as marionette lines.
• Juvéderm^® SkinVive – this is to deeply hydrate skin on the face, cleavage area and hands. It has an overall smoothing effect on the wrinkles in those areas, and gives the skin a better ‘glow.’ It can also be used to complement the other Juvéderm^® products too.

All the above Juvéderm^® products at our Surrey clinic also contain lidocaine for pain relief.

An on-staff doctor or nurse will be able to determine which Juvéderm^® formula, or series of formulas, will be best for your needs.

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With Juvéderm^® there are three main ‘keys’ that form its foundation for effectiveness:

1. The basic, hyaluronic acid (HA) molecules it is based on.
2. The combination of low-weight and high-weight HA molecules, which create a cross-linking chain in the chemical formula, called VYCROSS^®.
3. The individual formulas – the Juvéderm^® line of products – that achieve specific results on different parts of the face.

The second ‘key’ above is the main thing sets this HA cosmetic filler apart from its competition.

To understand how Juvéderm^® works, it helps to know how hyaluronic acid behaves in the body, and in chemistry. This complex sugar binds to water (H²O molecules). When HA and H²O are combined, your bodily tissues get ‘moisturized.’ In a way, HA cosmetic fillers are like using a moisturizer deep under the skin, instead of on the surface. Except of course, the formula is very different, and the moisturizing effect lasts months, not hours.

We’ve just explained the first ‘key.’ The second ‘key’ is this:

Among HA molecules, you have variations that are “low molecular weight” and “high molecular weight.” Most HA facial fillers use only the “high molecular weight” variety. But Juvederm mixes things up, by using mostly low molecular weight HA in its formula, and sometimes just 1/10th of the high molecular weight HA. The result is more of what is called a “cross-linked” chain of HA molecules. These cross-links increase the concentration of the formula, and decrease its absorbability.

So, in effect, with Juvéderm^®, you have a ‘spongier’ gel that ‘flows’ easier into the skin, while being injected (resulting in less swelling afterwards, too). It also becomes more ‘bendable’ and ‘shapeable’ by the practitioner. In turn, this gives a much more natural look that many are after. Then, by being less absorbable, it lasts longer than typical HA cosmetic fillers. It is an advanced technology in the world of dermal fillers, in this sense.

That brings us to our third ‘key’:

The different Juvéderm^® products contain different concoctions of the high molecular weight and low molecular weight HA. This makes their substance properties different, for different uses. Sometimes you want a stronger gel, for more lift. And sometimes less, so as not to ‘overdo’ a treatment area. Doctors or nurses in the medspa industry can then use a combination of pre-made formulas, tested for efficacy on different parts of the face.

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During this dermal filler treatment, our on-staff doctor or nurse may use a unique method for inserting the gel, which is not used by many injectors.

Instead of injecting with a syringe into many parts around the face, a cannula at one point is used instead. This results in a single injection mark, instead of many.

The cannula will be injected at the depth of the dermis, per the norm for Juvéderm^® treatments.

The doctor or nurse may stroke the area to conform the fluid, which can flow out easily from the syringe.

The whole process takes 30 to 60 minutes. It’s an ‘in and out’ beauty treatment.

The anaesthetic is contained in the gel solution, so it is not administered separately.

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Each Juvéderm^® injection is temporary. At most, it can stay in the body for roughly 2 years. This is the case mainly for the VOLUMA^® cheek volumizer, which is denser than other Juvéderm^® formulas.

For other Juvéderm^® treatments, results lasts between 6 and 14 months.

The length of time Juvéderm® lasts depends on each person, since every body absorbs the formula at different rates.

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There is usually no downtime with Juvéderm^® facial injections. Most people resume all normal activity immediately after treatment. However, it is common to experience swelling, bruising, redness or tenderness in the treatment area.

For about a week to 10 days before your treatment session, you should not take any blood-thinning medications or supplements. These include both prescription and over-the-counter products such as aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS).

For a while after the treatment, it’s best to avoid being in the cold or the sun. We’ll also ask you not to touch the treatment area, nor to press, scratch or rub it – even if it gets itchy or lumpy.

Lumps are possible, but they usually subside after a few days and at most, a few weeks. If you feel something is wrong, or if you get lumps, it’s important to come in to the clinic and let us solve it for you.

While it’s possible to experience severe side effects with Juvéderm^®, it is really rare. Aside from allergic reactions, the severe side effects are not necessarily due to the product itself, but the technique and experience of the physician or nurse applying it into your skin. We can’t stress enough that only a licensed, trained doctor or nurse should be injecting anything into you.

Juvéderm^® is well tested, and is approved for use by Health Canada, plus the FDA in the USA. Variations of the Juvéderm^® formula have been in use in the medspa industry since 2004, with over 25 million treatments performed to date.

Before receiving this treatment, it is very important that you notify us of any allergies, current medications or illnesses, and whether or not you are pregnant. This will help us reduce risks for you.

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Knowing exactly how much your Surrey Juvéderm^® facial rejuvenation will cost is nearly impossible to determine without an in-person consultation. Multiple factors, such as age, natural-born facial features and the exact problem you’re trying to solve will play a part in coming to an estimate. For this reason, we can come up with a customized package for you.

You can fill out the form above to receive a general price list of our dermal filler options. These rates should not be taken as a final estimate, but only a price guideline.