Juvederm Treatment for Smile Lines*
As we age, our skin loses elasticity and firmness, turning frown lines, smile lines, crow’s feet, and the like, into permanent etchings in the skin. Weather from smiling or frowning, we begin to notice that these lines are there even when our faces are relaxed.
Unfortunately, smile lines are nothing to smile about. While Botox is the solution for forehead wrinkles, frown lines, and crow’s feet, smile lines (also called nasolabial folds) must be treated differently. Juverderm is a popular solution to the harsh parentheses framing your mouth.
How Juvederm Works
Juverderm is an injectable gel comprised largely of hyaluronic acid. This acid, a natural sugar already found within the body, has hydrating and lubricating properties and is functional in the joints, tendons, muscles, and skin. The FDA officially certified it as safe in 2006.
Normally, the body metabolizes hyaluronic acid within approximately 12 hours. However, after researchers discovered they could turn it into a gel by slightly manipulating its chemical structure, the body won’t process Juvederm for 6 to 9 months. While it works as a filler, it’s hydrating and lubricating properties are also great for the skin, as well as its innate companionship with collagen and elastin. All of these elements combined make for firmer, healthier-looking skin.
People with hypersensitivity or allergies to bacterial proteins should not use Juvederm. Aside from adverse autoimmune reactions caused by allergy, side effects may include redness, swelling, bruising, and pain.
Other Uses for Juvederm
Juvederm is a safe and effective filler for smile lines, but also has other cosmetic functions. These include:
- -Lip augmentation
- -Filler for recesses in the skin caused by scarring, i.e. acne scars
These uses for Juvederm are also extremely popular. In any case, treatment should only be administered by a certified dermatologist, whom the patient selects with great care and consideration.