Juvederm
San Francisco

Your skin contains a naturally-occurring substance, hyaluronic acid. Over the years, the body stops producing this hydrating substance. As it reduces, the skin begins to lose structure and volume, and the facial skin starts to wrinkle and fold. Juvederm is a very smooth gel that can be injected into areas with lost volume, such as curved creases in the nose/mouth zone.

This gel is composed of non-animal, stabilized hyaluronic acid produced with a patented process that "cross-links" the substance so it has blended particle sizes for a very natural effect, and greater longevity. When injected into the facial muscles correctly, it fills in lines, creases, and wrinkles, giving the face a more youthful, fresh appearance.

Any Bay Area patient who is interested in an injectable filler product, whether Juvederm or other brand, should have a full heath evaluation, as well as reveal any and all medications and supplements taken on a regular basis. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers are not candidates for this treatment, and must wait until the baby is born, and breastfeeding over. The first FDA approval was in 2010, and this filler has been used in countless procedures since its release.

As with any treatment, the skill and experience of the medical professional administering the product has everything to do with the quality of results. Dr. Sheena Kong has a long track record of creating natural-looking results, and is a board certified doctor of internal medicine. She is passionate about her work, and has a deep understanding of how to correctly use the product to smooth out the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles.

There are several formulas in the Juvederm family that vary in how long they last. Juvederm Voluma XC has the advantage of lasting for up to two years, while other Juvederm formulas last about four to six months for some patients, and up to one year for others. How your body processes the product is unique to you, but if you want long-lasting results, you may want to consider injections with Juvederm Voluma XC or Volbella XC as an option.

Unlike some other dermal fillers, Juvéderm products all contain a small amount of lidocaine. This local anesthetic makes injections more comfortable and reduces sensitivity to pain and discomfort. Each Juvéderm fillers is a clear gel with a smooth consistency that flows easily into the skin for soft, smooth results that look natural. It is important that the product is injected by a highly-skilled medical professional to achieve results that appear natural. Dr. Sheena Kong is known for her ability to create beautiful results with these fillers – every treatment is performed with meticulous care.

Juvéderm and Restylane are both hyaluronic acid-based fillers. However, compared to Restylane, Juvéderm has a higher concentration of hyaluronic acid, which may produce longer-lasting results. For some applications, Juvéderm may also produce smoother, more natural-looking results.

The “XC” in the names of injectable Juvéderm fillers indicates that they contain lidocaine, a local anesthetic to reduce pain and discomfort during treatment. You may choose to have a topical numbing cream applied to the treatment area before the injections begin for an even more comfortable treatment experience.

Side effects of Juvéderm in San Francisco are rare, and when they do occur, they typically resolve on their own within a week of treatment. Although uncommon, minor side effects may include tenderness, swelling, redness, firmness, or bruising at the site of the injection. As Juvéderm products are designed for biocompatibility and produced in the laboratory through biosynthesis, there is little or no risk of allergic reaction.