Remember looking in the mirror when you were in your twenties? The radiance of your complexion was a huge part of your physical attractiveness.

These days when you look at your own face, you notice smile lines, crow’s feet and wrinkles. If you’re thinking, “Can’t do anything about it,” think again: Juvéderm, an injectable, next-generation dermal filler made from hyaluronic acid (HA), is the fastest growing, non-surgical cosmetic procedure in the United States according to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. It’s considered a safe, effective alternative to expensive surgical treatments, and one that works well for individuals with all different types and colors of skin. Juvéderm’s side effects are typically minimal – you won’t need weeks of healing – and most patients achieve great results from a single 15 minute treatment.

As we age, our skin changes. Changes in underlying subcutaneous fat density and connective tissue layers make our skin thinner and less elastic. Juvéderm counteracts these changes by lifting, firming and replenishing volume, returning skin to its youthful plushness. Hyaluronic acid is a complex sugar, naturally occurring and fully biodegradable, found in the bodies of all living organisms where it performs many functions, among them joint lubrication and skin hydration. Hyaluronic acid fills the spaces between the collagen and elastin fibers underlying your skin, creating a sponge-like natural support. As we age, our bodies produce less hyaluronic acid and so our skin starts to wrinkle and sag.

Hyaluronic acid has been used for over 20 years to treat medical conditions associated with the knee and the eye. In 2006, Juvéderm was approved by the FDA for cosmetic treatments. The hyaluronic acid in Juvéderm is not purified from animal sources but rather synthesized by bacteria; this significantly reduces the risk of allergic reactions. Gradually, over a period of six months or so, hyaluronic acid is reabsorbed into your body. Juvéderm has the highest hyaluronic acid concentration of any dermal filler on the market today.

Juvéderm is available in three different formulations that differ in the size of their hyaluronic acid particles:

• Juvéderm 18 is a fluid-like gel that targets fine lines like the wrinkles at the edges of your eyes (crow’s feet.)
• Juvéderm 18 is a denser gel used for deeper creases such as the frown lines on your forehead
• Juvéderm 30 is the most robust formula, designed to eradicate the deep folds between your cheeks and your nose (Nasolabial folds), and for reshaping the contours of your cheeks and lips.

Additionally, the formulation Juvéderm XC is enhanced with lidocaine to minimize any discomforts associated with the procedure.

The Juvéderm injection procedure itself is simple and short. Your dermatologist will take your history and examine your face carefully to assess the depth of its wrinkles and folds. Anesthesia is not required for the procedure; however since treatment involves injection, many physicians will use a topical or injectable substance to numb the treatment sites. Your dermatologist will then gently inject Juvéderm under your skin, massaging the treated areas softly. That’s it! Fifteen minutes to a new you.

Juvéderm is another product from Allergan, the company that revolutionized the world of cosmetic procedures when it first introduced Botox in 1989. Allergan, you’ve done it again! Safe, effective and convenient – Juvéderm will transform that face in your mirror into a softer, smoother, more radiant you.