Juvéderm® ULTRA - Dermal Fillers

Manufactured by Allergen, makers of Botox and Vistable, this product is a cohesively advanced 3D hyaluronic acid matrix with an inherent local anaesthetic. It was launched in the UK market in February of 2008. Genetically, it is a cross-linked hyaluronic acid with lidocaine, also referred to as Lucocaine in the UK. The contents of Juvéderm® ULTRA are non–animal in composition. It is mainly hyaluronic acid with an additional 0.3 percent of lidocaine anaesthetic to provide some level of comfort during the process of treatment. The anaesthetic may also help with minor pain once the treatment stage is accomplished through injection, depending on the area that is being treated.

For the instances of lip treatment, it is always advisable to have topical anaesthetic or dental nerve block for ensuring that the treatment is free of pain. Unlike some areas dermal fillers are applied to, the lip area is very sensitive. Results interpreted from data obtained by the manufactures indicate that women treated with this product, especially those who used Juvéderm® ULTRA 3, did not encounter any discomfort during or after treatment. Roughly 80% of women attested to this, a significant number.

Fermentation of streptococci bacteria is the main process through which it is made. It is temporary in application due to the fact that it’s main constituent is hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid will always break down in the body over time, thus becoming fully utilized and exhausted. Therefore, it is recommended that repeated treatments be undertaken in order to sustain the skin improvements.

The main product range formulations include Juvéderm® ULTRA 3, Juvéderm® ULTRA 4 and Juvéderm® ULTRA Smile; all of which are used to treat different conditions on the face, with different specifications, procedures and effects. Individuals with hypersensitivity towards lidocaine or hyaluronic acid should not use Juvéderm®. This includes patients with sever allergies, especially those related to anaphylaxis. In case of preceding laser treatment, this product should not be administered. Additionally, atients should not be treated with Juvéderm® if they recently underwent deep or superficial chemical peeling and dermabrassion.

Being a temporary treatment, patients should make sure to have repeated treatments after the standard period of approximately 12 months elapses. Effects that can be experienced include swelling, pain, discolouration, tenderness of treated areas and transient eryrthema. Recovery takes one to two days for skin injections, and within one week for injections on the lip. The costs are dependent on the area of treatment, practitioner and amount needed with average costs being around £275 per pack of the product.