There are several brands of hyaluronic acid … in France, over 100!
This is the consequence of the fact that hyaluronic acids which are injectable in or under the skin are not considered to be medication (as is the case in the USA), but as implantable agents. It is therefore much easier to put them on the market in France, since they are less regulated.
The Juvederm Ultra range is produced in France by the American pharmaceutical laboratory Allergan. This range of hyaluronic acids is authorised in the USA, thus offering the safety of being a medicine.
I have been using Juvederm since 2003. After having injected more than 3,000 syringe doses, none of my patients has ever had the slightest undesirable effect following an injection of this hyaluronic acid – bruises being a consequence of the needle, not the product. To be clear, I also use other hyaluronic acids and also Radiesse.
An allergic reaction is always a possibility (about 1 chance in 15,000) but it is manageable, contrary to the reactions to non-resorbable products (Dermalive, Artecoll, silicone, outline, etc.).
There are several different Juvederm Ultras: No.2 for smoothing very fine wrinkles (like those on the upper lip where added volume is completely undesirable), No.3 with low volumising effect for lines, Smile for smoothing and moderate volumising the mouth (my favourite, as we also achieve a gloss effect through its hydrating effect on the mouth), Juvederm Ultra 4 for a moderate volume (for example, to treat nasolabial folds and marionette folds), Voluma for greater volume (apples of the cheeks, cheeks, chin, etc.). Hydrate is used for mesotherapy (mesolift) to give radiance to the skin as well as hydration, there is also an anti-ageing action (as with all the hyaluronic acids).
The effects last according to the Juvederm product used, from 12 months to 2 years (for Voluma).
The results are immediate, but the final result becomes apparent after about three weeks, the time for the product to settle in, to reach its full volume, and for the little insertion inflammation to disappear – which is minimal anyway – which takes two to seven days for Voluma and is almost non-existent with the other products.
Like all the hyaluronic acids, Juvederm prevents cutaneous ageing, by stimulating collagen synthesis and improving hydration. In addition, in the valley areas it reduces the mechanical trauma of the folds (for example, nasolabial folds during a smile) and guards against the skin becoming more damaged, even being repaired).
Juvederm is among the most frequently used hyaluronic acids in the world.
