Pros & Cons of Juvederm

Juvederm is a facial filler used by women and men to plump wrinkles, giving the appearance of youthful skin. There are a number of fillers on the market. Juvederm is often used to fill out scars and facial folds between the lips and nose, or even to make lips appear full.

History of Fillers

• Experiments with Hyaluronic acid began in 1934 when Columbia University scientists John Palmer and Karl Meyer discovered that the acid worked well on making skin appear hydrated and more youthful in appearance. The product was originally used in baking and later in the 1990s to alleviate pain from wounds. In Europe in 1996, scientists began working with Hyaluronic acid for cosmetic purposes.

FDA Approval

• The Food and Drug Administration approved Juvederm for use in the United States in June 2006. Testing was stringent, comparing Juvederm with other fillers. After several studies, comparing Juvederm with Zyplast, more clinical studies were conducted on nearly 300 subjects. Juvederm was approved but continues to be tested by the FDA.

Pros of Juvederm Use

• During these studies, Juvederm was injected into one facial labial fold and Zyplast was injected into the other fold. Researchers discovered that 88 percent of those tested thought the Juvederm-treated side looked better.

  According to dermatologist Dr. Harold Brody, Juvederm lasts longer than collagen or other products, including Restylane. Many fillers last 5 to 6 months, but Juvederm can last from 6 to 9 months.

  Juvederm is thought to "flow" more easily and be less painful when injected. The cost can be $500 to $700 per tube, but with Juvederm, you may only need to be injected once or twice a year.

Cons of Juvederm Use

• Not everyone can use Juvederm. Patients with bacterial protein allergies or who have suffered from anaphylaxis can find this drug dangerous. Side effects are possible and can be extreme in some people.

  Patients can experience swelling in the area of the injection, redness, bruises and facial lumps. Some of these side effects can be corrected, depending on the health of the person involved. Other issues, such as lumps, can be difficult for a doctor to treat.

  Because this is a new procedure, it is difficult to know how Juvederm will impact other health conditions---such as high blood pressure---in the long run. Only time can give researchers that information.

Conclusion

• Many doctors feel that Juvederm has advantages over other facial fillers. The fact that the results last longer and cost less than competing fillers are important factors.

  The patient's health must be a consideration in any case. Until long-term research is conducted, doctors will not know how using Juvederm will affect other aspects of a person's health.