Juvederm ultra 3 filler from Allergan: learn all the most important things about the popular drug

From this article you will learn:

• reviews of Juvederm® fillers,
• application features, before and after photos,
• biorevitalization Juvederm Hydrate and Volite.

Juvederm® is a line of dermal fillers based on stabilized hyaluronic acid used to correct the depth of wrinkles, nasolabial folds, atrophic scars, as well as to increase the volume of the lips, cheekbones and cheeks. The manufacturer is (USA), known to any cosmetologist for the drug Botox®, which is widely used to correct dynamic wrinkles in the forehead and corners of the eyes.

The Juvederm filler was developed in 2000, and already in 2006 the drug received approval from the FDA (Federal Bureau of Drug Control in the United States) as an effective and safe means for facial contouring. Juvederm® Ultra and Juvederm® Ultra Plus have received FDA approval, which have now been renamed Juvederm Ultra 3 and Juvederm Ultra 4. But in addition to these forms of release, the Juvederm line includes 5 more types of fillers.

Juvederm® Gel (1.0 ml syringes) –

In total, 7 types of fillers are produced under the Juvederm® brand, as well as 2 preparations for the biorevitalization procedure - “Juvederm Hydrate” and “Juvederm Volite” (Juvederm Volite). The options for fillers of this brand listed below will differ from each other in gel density, hyaluronic acid concentration, areas of application, as well as the duration of the effect. In this article, we will tell you the optimal indications for each of these products.

Juvederm® filler release forms –

• Juvederm Ultra 2,
• Juvederm Ultra 3,
• Juvederm Ultra 4
• Juvederm Ultra Smile,
• Juvederm Volume (Voluma),
• Juvederm Volift (Volift),
• Juvederm Volbella (Volbella).

Who produces

This filler appeared on the Russian market relatively recently - about five years ago, but it was able to gain its reputation very quickly. However, the manufacturing company spent a lot of money on marketing promotion of its product. Juvederm Ultra 3 is the result of the work of specialists from the American pharmaceutical company Allergan .

The company has been known for a long time, its activities have expanded beyond the borders of one state - factories owned by the company are scattered all over the world and medical specialists in the field of pharmacology and cosmetology from many countries work there. In recent years, Allergan has been increasing its momentum by buying up other holdings producing cosmetic products.

Allergan has also been known in Russia for many years. Cosmetologists have been working on products from this manufacturer for many years.

As for the products themselves from Allergan, they have not yet caused any serious complaints. The company has not been involved in any serious litigation in the beauty industry. This suggests a conclusion - the products of this manufacturer are worthy of the attention of buyers .

Juvederm Ultra 3: what is this drug - general information

Juvederm Ultra 3 belongs to the category of fillers (injectable drugs). Scientifically speaking, it is a sterile physiological gel of cross-linked hyaluronic acid of non-animal origin. Translated into simple Russian, this drug fights age-related skin sagging and is also used to increase lip volume.

Juvederm Ultra 3 is sold in a package containing two 0.8 ml syringes of this gel. The set also includes four disposable needles for the syringes. Needles: 27G1/2''.

Biorevitalization Juvederm Hydrate: reviews

The biorevitalization technique allows you to prolong the youth of your skin by introducing medicinal components into it. Unbound hyaluronic acid (native) is most often used as the main component of such products. Allergan Inc. produces 2 drugs that can be used for biorevitalization - these are “Juvederm Hydrate” and “Juvederm Volite”.

Juvederm® Hydrate –

Juvederm Hydrate is a gel based on native (i.e. unbound) hyaluronic acid of non-animal origin. The drug contains hyaluronic acid – 13.5 mg/ml, and mannitol – 9 mg/ml. As we said above, the life cycle of native hyaluronic acid molecules is only 24-48 hours, i.e. It is during this time that the HA content in the skin will return to its original state. Mannitol is an antioxidant that slightly slows down the rate of breakdown of HA chains, making the drug last a little longer.

Indications for use: the need to quickly improve hydration and, to some extent, skin elasticity, for example, after prolonged exposure to the sun, after exposure to adverse meteorological and toxic factors, in smokers. This effect develops due to the fact that the increased concentration of HA leads to the saturation of the dermis with water, and the function of endothelial cells is also activated. Improving the function of these cells stimulates angiogenesis and improves blood supply to the skin.

Administration technique - the drug is administered using a series of microinjections - to the depth where the epidermis passes into the superficial layer of the dermis. The needle insertion points are located at a distance of 3 mm from each other, the volume of the injected solution for each injection is 0.01 ml. Traditionally, doctors recommend 3-4 procedures (with a break of 3-4 weeks between them). The cost of 1 syringe of Juvederm hydrate for biorevitalization is the price of 4,000 rubles per 1.0 ml. The cost of the procedure in the clinic will be at least 10,000 rubles.

You must understand that Juvederm Hydrate for skin biorevitalization is not able to influence the collagen content of the skin, and therefore it is not a remedy for wrinkles. However, saturating the dermis with water can lead to an increase in skin thickness, which still causes a slight smoothing effect of wrinkles. The effect of increasing skin elasticity also occurs due to the increase in water content in the dermis, and the improvement in the appearance of the skin mainly occurs due to improved blood supply to the skin.

→ Official instructions for Juvederm Hydrate

Juvederm® Volite –

Juvederm Volite gel has been available since 2022. It differs from Juvederm Hydrate in that it is made with cross-linked non-animal hyaluronic acid. Thanks to this, it has a combined effect - it can be used both as a filler to fill superficial wrinkles, and as a means to increase skin hydration and elasticity. In the latter case, it is administered through a series of microinjections once every 9 months, but it should be noted that native unbound HA has a significantly stronger moisturizing effect than bound HA. The only advantage is that the drug does not require a course of treatment consisting of several injections.

The content of hyaluronic acid in it is 12.0 mg/ml, and it also contains 0.3% of the anesthetic lidocaine. Needle size 32G. The gel is injected into the middle layers of the dermis. The drug has been approved for administration to the face and neck, but in principle can be used in the décolleté and arms. There are currently no independent clinical studies on the effectiveness of the drug. However, a study conducted by the manufacturer involving 131 people showed that improvement in skin condition was observed after 1, 4 and 6 months. We consider this drug to be a purely marketing product and not suitable for biorevitalization procedures.

Reading the results published by the company, it is absolutely not clear whether the drug was used as a filler or as a biorevitalizant, what exactly was meant by improvement (whether it was smoothing out wrinkles, increasing elasticity or improving the appearance of the skin). But most importantly, the published information lacks objective criteria for its effectiveness. For example, comparison of hyaluronic acid content in skin samples taken before injections and 1, 3 and 6 months after injections could be considered objective criteria. The cost of Juvederm Volite is from 13,000 rubles per package (2 syringes of 1.0 ml each are included). The cost of the procedure in the clinic will be no less than 13,000 rubles per 1.0 ml.

→ Official instructions for Juvederm Volite

Juvederm Hydrate and Juvederm Volite injections: video

When you watch the first video, pay attention to the depth of the needle. According to the rules of Juvéderm Hydrate, it should be injected to a depth at which the epidermis passes into the upper layers of the dermis. It can be seen that in those places where the doctor inserts the syringe too deeply, vascular injury occurs. In this case, the risk of hemorrhage is higher and the healing time increases. After injection of Juvederm Hydrate, small papules will be visible on the skin for 3-4 days.

Complications after biorevitalization procedures are quite rare, and one of the most unpleasant is associated with the individual reaction of the skin to skin damage as a result of injections. You can easily find reviews on the Internet of patients who have barely noticeable bumps on the skin at the injection sites. Any injury in the skin activates a healing mechanism; in some patients this occurs with elements of fibrosis. Therefore, in patients in whom even minor skin damage has occurred with the formation of scars, it is better not to use this procedure.

Reviews about the biorevitalization procedure –

Reviews for Juvederm Hydrate biorevitalization will depend on the level of your expectations. If your goal is to quickly improve the appearance of your skin and make it more radiant (improve color, even out the texture a little), or you want to slow down skin aging, then you will certainly be satisfied. If you need express lifting or reducing the depth of wrinkles, then these drugs are not suitable for this.

But you shouldn’t believe cosmetologists who, in a rush to sell you a procedure, will advertise it as a remedy for wrinkles, or that it will help increase the collagen content of the skin. Mono-preparations of hyaluronic acid (not containing peptides, DNA-RNA complexes or DMAE) are not able to stimulate fibroblast function and collagen synthesis. You can read about this in the article on biorevitalization at the link below. But they stimulate blood circulation in the skin well, and also saturate the dermis with moisture, which increases its volume and improves skin elasticity.

To summarize, Juvederm Hydrate, containing only 13 mg/ml hyaluronic acid (equivalent to 1.3%) - in our opinion, is only suitable for patients about 25 years old for single procedures to prevent photoaging and age-related aging, or if you have been over-tanning for a long time. sun, or in winter, skin is dry from central heating. For patients 26-35 years old, we believe that higher concentrations of GC would be more appropriate - already about 1.8-2.0%.

In patients aged 35+, who usually already need express skin lifting and reduction in the depth of wrinkles, Juvederm Hydrate will not help with anything other than slightly improving skin color. But even in this case, it must be used in a course of 3-4 procedures. For patients 35+, for skin lifting and wrinkle reduction, components such as DMAE or DNA-RNA complexes are necessary. Read more about biorevitalization procedures using such drugs at the link below.

→ Biorevitalization and types of aging

Important: preparations with hyaluronic acid are suitable for biorevitalization procedures only in patients with finely wrinkled type of facial skin aging. If you start using HA for deformation/edema type of skin aging, you will only worsen the swelling and deformation of the face. Therefore, in patients with deformational type of aging, lymphatic drainage vascular injection of the face always comes first, together with biorevitalizants based on DNA-RNA complexes, DMAE, and only at the end of a course of treatment of 4-5 procedures can they add small concentrations of GC to the composition of the administered drugs (and then no more than 0.3-0.5%).

Using the link above, you can also read independent clinical studies that show that injections of mono-preparations of hyaluronic acid (or with additional vitamins) do not lead to an increase in collagen content. These data were obtained by analyzing histological skin samples taken before and several months after the injections. The only thing that was discovered was that a slight increase in collagen content occurs only at the points where the needle injures the skin during injection. Those. this is not due to hyaluronic acid, but to the healing mechanisms of damaged skin. By the way, this is precisely the principle used by laser skin rejuvenation techniques.

→ Skin rejuvenation with Fraxel lasers

Differences from Juvederm Ultra 2 and Juvederm Ultra 1

Allergan's line of anti-wrinkle products is quite extensive. The Juvederm and Juvederm Ultra series are essentially drugs of the same principle of action; they differ only in a few indicators and properties.

Juvederm Ultra 3 appeared after the release of Juvederm Ultra 2 and Juvederm Ultra 1. According to the manufacturer, the number at the end of the name means the “generation” to which the drug belongs. The higher the number, the more advanced and refined the filler.

What exactly distinguishes Juvederm Ultra 3 from its “predecessors”: • The filler is more viscous. This allows it to stay in the skin longer, which means the result will please you for a long time. • Juvederm Ultra 3 is less painful during injection (contains lidocaine). • Swelling after the procedure is minimized.

Ultra 4

It has the highest density and elasticity coefficient in this line. The drug was created for volumetric modeling. The gel corrects the shape and size of the lips, nasolabial folds, cheekbones, sagging earlobes and skin, and replenishes the volume of facial tissues.

Juvederm Ultra 4 combines well with other drugs of the same line and is suitable for the complex correction of age-related skin changes. The gel is recommended for use after 40 years.

Compound

Like many fillers, Juvederm Ultra 3 is based on the well-known hyaluronic acid . It accounts for approximately 24 mg per 1 ml of the drug. It is important that in this case the hyaluron is of non-animal origin. This avoids possible allergic reactions or rejection of the drug by the skin layers.

Also, a fundamental point is that the particles of hyaluronic acid are, as it were, “cross-linked” (strongly connected to each other), which gives a longer-lasting effect from the procedure. After all, “cross-linked” particles stay in the layers of the skin longer, creating the desired volume .

Juvederm Ultra 3 also contains lidocaine hydrochloride . The function of this component is pain relief. The sensitivity to drug administration is reduced several times when we compare this filler with its predecessors.

And, of course, the manufacturer made sure that the swelling after the injection went away as quickly as possible . To do this, a component such as phosphate buffer . Thanks to him, in some cases there is no swelling at all, in other cases, the swelling subsides within 2 hours after the procedure.

What are the benefits of Juvederm cosmetics?

Juvederm 3 and other products in the line are worth buying and using for yourself because:

• the product gives quick results.
  The products are long lasting and longer lasting than other hyaluronic acid skin treatments. They are injected directly into the first two layers of the skin, so their effect occurs quickly. After one procedure, sunken areas of the face are brightened and tightened;
• alternative to silicone and Botox.
  Since many people resort to similar remedies, these products are an effective non-invasive alternative;
• convenience.
  Sessions last from fifteen to 60 minutes, depending on the product used and areas treated. After the session, most people can return to their normal daily activities, which makes the Juvederm biorevitalization procedure not only unobtrusive, but also convenient;
• long.
  Many people have been able to appreciate the results, which is why Juvederm Volite has reviews that it lasts up to two years, depending on the area treated;
• combined with other techniques and procedures.
  The product combines well with other facial skin care methods, and Juvederm does not have negative side effects.

Application

It is worth mentioning right away that this drug is not suitable for radically changing the shape of the face .

We are only talking about removing wrinkles on the forehead, in the area of ​​nasolabial folds, and also on the cheekbones. In addition, Juvederm Ultra 3 is not suitable for injection into the eyelid skin. The eyelids and the area near the eyes can only be corrected with the help of drugs from the appropriate series intended specifically for this part of the face.

Juvederm Ultra 3 also gives excellent results when enlarging lips or correcting their shape .

If we talk about the principle of action, then this filler is injected into the middle and even deep layers of the dermis. There, the gel is evenly distributed and fills the sagging parts of the face that have lost volume. As a result, folds and wrinkles are smoothed out, and lips acquire an “appetizing” appearance.

It is worth noting that this only applies to medium-sized wrinkles . The drug may not cope with deep and pronounced wrinkles. Therefore, it’s up to the cosmetologist to assess the depth of age-related changes in the face.

The duration of the effect from the administration of the drug is 8-10 months..

Effect of Juvederm Ultra 3

The effect of contouring with Juvederm Ultra 3 is expressed in the following dynamics:

• Complete elimination of skin wrinkles in areas of the face with increased facial activity;
• Smoothing of age-related linear wrinkles;
• Tightening of soft tissues in structural folds;
• Raising the corners of the mouth;
• Giving lips harmonious volume and shape;
• Emphasizing the expressiveness of the lip contour;
• Leveling out holes and potholes caused by injuries or diseases (for example, acne).

Contraindications

gives clear instructions - the drug is categorically not suitable for persons under 18 years of age!

In addition, like any other filler, Juvederm Ultra 3 has contraindications. These include:

• pregnancy and lactation,
• epilepsy,
• the presence of a tendency to keloid and hypertrophic scars,
• intolerance to hyaluronic acid,
• skin inflammation,
• persons with porphyria,
• allergy to filler components.

Cosmetologists note that the drug should also not be used if you have just had a laser procedure or facial peeling. And, of course, injections are not given in places where there is a synthetic implant.

How does Juvederm work?

The main component of Juvederm gel is hyaluronic acid, which is a natural polysaccharide in our body. Hyaluronic acid has the ability to bind and retain water at the injection site for a long time. Gel with hyaluronic acid is injected into the base of each wrinkle using a syringe, thus creating a depot of hyaluronic acid. On the one hand, such a depot acts as a lining material that smoothes out wrinkles, and on the other hand, the skin is intensively moisturized and improves its appearance.

Disadvantages of the drug

1. Soreness . Despite the fact that this filler causes much less pain during application, however, discomfort remains during the procedure. Those with very sensitive skin may feel not just a tingling sensation, but also a sharp pain. We'll have to endure it.

2. Possible allergies . Lidocaine, which is part of Juvederm Ultra 3, is a very capricious component. Even when the patient is sure that he does not have an allergy, it may unexpectedly arise to lidocaine. That happens. Fortunately, the percentage of such cases is not high.

3. Getting used to the effect . Like any filler, the results from using Juvederm Ultra 3 are temporary. After 8-12 months, the drug will be completely eliminated from the body naturally. However, patients get used to their new reflection in the mirror, and again go to the cosmetologist for the procedure. Therefore, once you give yourself an injection, be prepared that it will become a habit.

4. Only a specialist can administer the drug ! This is a very important point. If you do not trust your cosmetologist-doctor, then it is better to refuse the procedure. After all, the effect may not be at all pleasant. In addition, a professional master will take into account all the nuances, including skin condition, allergies, etc. Without this, you may find yourself with swelling, redness, irritation or even inflammation on your face after the procedure.

5. If the skin is sensitive, after the injection, bruises may appear at the injection sites, tissue necrosis, and swelling .

6. The disadvantages include the fact that after the procedure, the skin will require maximum care and additional care from you . Namely: sauna and bath are prohibited for 2 weeks after the injection; Solarium is contraindicated in the first 12 hours. The same applies to putting on makeup, being in the sun, or walking in frosty weather.

Safety and Precautions –

The use of Juvederm for cosmetic purposes is approved by the FDA (the most prestigious US medical organization for monitoring the quality of medications). This drug has a very high safety profile, but it should not be used in patients who are severely allergic to anything. Also, you should not inject the gel into the soft tissues of the face, which currently have an active inflammatory process. Juvederm should only be administered to a patient by a doctor, and in no case by nursing staff.

The most common side effects are: hematomas, redness, pain, hardness of the soft tissues of the face at the site of gel injection, swelling, bumps, itching of the skin. Most side effects do not last long and are not severe, disappearing within a maximum of 7 days. However, there are also complications such as granulomas that arise in soft tissues as a reaction of the body to a foreign body. This is a serious complication that requires injections of an enzyme that breaks down the filler, as well as the use of corticosteroid tablets. We hope that our article was useful to you!

Sources:

1.

, 2. Personal experience with fillers, 3. National Library of Medicine (USA), 4. https://www.juvederm.com/, 5. “Cosmetic dermatology” (L. Bauman), 6. “Injection methods in cosmetology” (B. Asher), 7. “Anatomy & volumizing injections” (Nabila Azib, Philippe Berros, Frederic Braccini, Olivier Claude).

Stages of the procedure

1. Preparatory. The doctor simply conducts a consultation and examination of the skin condition. It is important to understand how much of the drug will be needed and what the patient wants to get in the end.
2. Skin cleansing, antiseptic treatment.
3. Injections. The filler is injected slowly so that it has time to distribute evenly under the skin. The volume of the administered drug is strictly individual. It is determined by the doctor himself. The volume of injection depends on the depth of the wrinkles. If we are talking about lip augmentation, then it also depends on the client’s wishes (what volume should be achieved).
4. If the needle becomes dull during injections, the doctor must replace it with a new one. It is easy to understand whether the needle is dull - you will feel increased pain with each new injection. This is the signal to replace the needle.
5. When the filler is injected, the cosmetologist performs a light massage with his fingertips, as if distributing the gel under the skin.

Methods of administration

Preparations of the Juvederm series are injected with a thin needle intradermally and into the mucous membrane of the lips. The depth and required amount are determined by the doctor. The manipulation is carried out only by trained specialists. Injection sites are pre-disinfected. No anesthesia is required since the gel contains lidocaine. The technique of the procedure and the direction of the needle depend on the injection site and the doctor’s choice:

• to add volume to the lips and eliminate asymmetry, it is suitable to use a small amount at points at regular intervals;
• the “mesh” method consists of performing injections with an intersection at an angle of 90º and the formation of “cells”; it is used in nasolabial folds, for biorevitalization of the skin of the neck, décolleté, and arms;
• The “fan” direction of the injection lines is used to lift the corners of the lips and fill the nasolabial folds.

Price

The cost of the procedure starts from 8,500 rubles per syringe . And it comes to somewhere around 16,000 rubles (250 dollars). It all depends on which beauty salon or clinic you went to. And also, the final price varies depending on the volume that will be introduced specifically to you to achieve the result.

In general, Juvederm Ultra 3 is, of course, more expensive than its counterparts . However, the effect lasts longer. The drug is more stable and retains the result well. As already mentioned, the effect lasts for 8-12 months .

Avoiding deception

An honest doctor will always open the package of Juvederm Ultra 3 right before your eyes, immediately before the procedure. After all, you must see what exactly is being injected into you. Paying for a “pig in a poke” is very dangerous.

However, even the packaging opened before your eyes may turn out to be a fake. Let's try to figure out how to avoid this. Today the beauty industry is a huge profit for manufacturers. Therefore, scammers are trying to “play” on women’s love for beauty and snatch a portion of their income.

Fake fillers most often come from China. Juvederm Ultra 3 is counterfeited no less often than other drugs. Moreover, it is very difficult to distinguish a fake. The same lilac box, syringes (2 per pack), 4 needles, logos, but the contents of the syringes are dangerous. Fraudsters add silicone, preservatives and chemicals here. The result of such a filler is scarring, swelling, pain and even poisoning. What should you be wary of? Low price. If you are offered to buy a drug at a reduced price, do not be fooled. It is unlikely that this is real Juvederm Ultra 3.

Get injections only in trusted beauty salons and medical centers. And also do not agree to artisanal methods of procedure, when supposedly a master cosmetologist works from home and receives clients there.

And one more nuance - real Juvederm Ultra 3 syringes have a holographic sticker . The lot number and expiration date of the drug are written on it. This information is usually entered into your medical record. The Juvederm Ultra 3 solution itself is a transparent viscous gel. Any cloudiness or impurities in the gel should cause you to abandon the procedure.

How to remove filler if necessary

If after the procedure you have an allergy to the drug, or the effect turned out to be sad (not what you expected), then you can remove Juvederm Ultra 3. This should be done by a doctor. To remove the filler, a special solution of hyaluronidase .

The cost ranges from 15,000 to 18,000 rubles. This is more than the procedure itself with Juvederm Ultra 3 filler. The result will be noticeable in 2-3 days. However, the doctor will observe you for another 2 weeks, because hyaluronidase can cause allergies and redness. It is worth resorting to filler removal only in the most extreme cases.

Wrinkle correction and lip augmentation with Juvederm

The Juvederm series is optimal for eliminating wrinkles and increasing lip volume. Diversity allows you to choose the optimal solution or combination with other procedures. Changing the concentration of hyaluronate in the gel helps to select a specific filler series for a young, elderly or middle-aged patient.

Ultra smile is used only for moderate lip correction. Ultra 2, 3 and 4 fill in wrinkles and creases around the mouth. The deeper the changes, the higher the drug number should be selected. The effect lasts on average 8 months, but with a stable reaction of the body to hyaluronate it increases to a year. After the manipulation it is prohibited:

• sunbathe;
• visit the steam room and bathhouse;
• perform a facial massage.

In conditions of elevated temperature, Juvederm dissolves faster.