Dr. Rueckl has used cosmetic dermal fillers for years to add volume and help fill, smooth, and minimize lines and wrinkles on the face. A great deal of artistry, skill, and attention to detail are required when working with the subtleties of dermal fillers. Several years ago, Dr. Rueckl added JUVÉDERM to his offered list of dermal fillers after participating in the Allergan physician test program for the product. In the past few years, JUVÉDERM has grown to be one of the top fillers in the world, and Dr. Rueckl has injected thousands of patients!
For many years, Dr. Rueckl was the only injector at Lakes Dermatology. But after years of training them with his personal techniques and intricacies, Melanie Wade, BSN, RN, and Ross Davis, PA are both now injecting at our office as well.
What is JUVÉDERM and what does it do?
Created by Allergan, the makers of BOTOX, JUVÉDERM is one of the most well-known cosmetic dermal fillers on the market. JUVÉDERM is a smooth consistency gel made of hyaluronic acid—a naturally occurring substance in your body that helps to add volume and hydration. Over recent years, hyaluronic acid, a complex sugar, has become a favored compound for replenishing the areas of the face where the skin’s volume and fullness have been lost due to age, sagginess, or other reasons. Dr. Rueckl injects JUVÉDERM into the necessary areas of the skin to restore your skin’s volume and smooth away facial wrinkles, lines, and folds. JUVÉDERM provides a smooth, natural look and feel to sites where it is injected and has been shown to last up to one year.
Allergan makes two types of JUVÉDERM—Ultra and Ultra Plus. At Lakes Dermatology, Dr. Rueckl only uses Ultra Plus as he feels it is a superior product which injects smoother and works better. Allergan also introduced XC products to their JUVÉDERM line—these products are the same formulations but with lidocaine already in them. While we use these syringes, Dr. Rueckl still pre-numbs all patients with lidocaine and epinephrine to ease any discomfort and help reduce bruising and swelling.
For more information on JUVÉDERM, including all FDA information and a photo gallery of befores and afters, please visit the Allergan JUVÉDERM website at www.juvederm.com.
Where is JUVÉDERM used?
Because it is used to replenish the areas of the face where the skin’s volume and fullness have been lost, JUVÉDERM is used in the nasolabial folds (the parentheses from your nose to the corners of your mouth), the tiny “laugh” or “smoker’s lines” around the lips, and in the lips themselves to create soft fullness. Dr. Rueckl does not usually recommend using JUVÉDERM under the eyes. Depending upon the site of injection and your specific volume loss, multiple syringes may be needed for full effects. If patients are truly unhappy with a hyaluronic acid filler (like JUVEDERM, or if an error has been made with an injection,) the filler itself can be destroyed with the injection of Vitrase/hyaluronidase.
Why is JUVÉDERM different than other fillers?
JUVÉDERM has a higher concentration of hyaluronic acid than other fillers and is produced by a special formulation process. This allows JUVÉDERM to last longer and to inject smoother. It also gives JUVÉDERM a more transparent appearance, while other fillers tend to be whiter in color.
The combination of the higher concentration of hyaluronic acid and the smoother formulation make JUVÉDERM long-lasting (6-8 months on average, and in some cases, up to one year). It is easier to fill with, and should produce more natural, even-filling effects. Additionally because it’s a smoother injection, patient discomfort at the injection sites is minimized. Some patients have noted lesser amounts of swelling or bruising with JUVÉDERM injections, as opposed to other fillers.
JUVÉDERM is biosynthetic and of non-animal origin. Since it is not created from an animal source, there is little chance of allergic reaction and no testing is required prior to injection. The formula is highly biocompatible (over its lifespan, it will metabolize with your body). It has been proven to be safe and effective for skin of all types and colors.
Depending on your desires and the areas you want injected, Dr. Rueckl can help you decide if JUVÉDERM is the right filler for your needs through a free consultation.
What is a JUVÉDERM treatment like?
As with all filler injections, JUVÉDERM is only injected by Dr. Rueckl. He will begin by discussing the treatment with you and have you sign a consent for the procedure. Dr. Rueckl will prep the site with a lidocaine with epinephrine block to further reduce any pain or discomfort during the procedure and have you wait about 10 minutes. By waiting this amount of time, the blood flow to that area is able to dissipate a bit, resulting in less bruising and swelling. After about 10 minutes, Dr. Rueckl will administer the JUVÉDERMsyringe and expertly and artistically inject the substance into the areas to be filled and re-volumized. Dr. Rueckl will apply ice packs to the injected areas and have you sit for a few minutes to apply pressure, thereby further minimizing swelling and bruising. The full procedure should take approximately 30-45 minutes. You will leave the office having minimal discomfort or other affects and be able to return to normal activities.
What kind of results can I expect from a JUVÉDERM treatment?
You should see an immediate improvement in the treatment areas (normally 1-2 days) with minimal bruising or swelling. Sometimes bruising and swelling can be minimized by taking Arnica pills, using Arnica gel, and/or having Arnica gel pads applied after injections. Arnica is a natural medication that can be obtained from a local health foods store. It is not necessary to take it, but some people find it helpful, particularly if they are prone to bruising. Ice packs and avoidance of aspirin for a few days will help should you encounter either of these as well. JUVÉDERM will help fill, smooth, and minimize the lines, wrinkles, and/or folds into which it is injected. For most patients, JUVÉDERM lasts approximately 6-8 months, although in some cases and areas, the duration of the effect may be shorter or longer. Supplemental treatments may be required to achieve and maintain optimal results.
How much does JUVÉDERM cost?
As with all fillers at Lakes Dermatology, JUVÉDERM is charged by the syringe. One syringe of JUVÉDERM is 1ml and costs $650. For patients who have a very small area (like a small scar) to fill, a 0.55ml size syringe of JUVÉDERM is available for $325.
If you get JUVÉDERM regularly, make sure you sign up for Allergan’s Brilliant Distinctions program. By participating in this program you get points for each treatment which you can then deposit and redeem for discounts on future treatments and products from Allergan. For all of the details, please check out www.brilliantdistinctionsprogram.com.
Lip Treatment with Juvederm
Here is a video of a patient receiving injections to her lips to promote a more voluptuous looking mouth. Dr. Rueckl first uses a numbing block so that the patient will feel very little while he injects the lips, one of the most sensitive locations on the body. He additionally uses medicine that helps prevent bruising and swelling as well.
