Lise Petersen spoke with Sydney plastic surgeon Dr Mark Kohout about Juvederm, a hyaluronic acid based dermal filler ideal for facial rejuvenation.
Hyaluronic acid is a major component of skin tissue and helps to maintain local moisture content. In recent years Juvederm, a highly purified hyaluronic acid in the form of a viscoelastic gel, has become a popular dermal filler overseas. Although it is not yet available for general release in Australia, Sydney plastic surgeon Dr Mark Kohout has been trialling the product for the last six months.
‘Juvederm is somewhat similar to already existing products such as Restylane and Hylaform,’ he says. ‘The difference between Juvederm and the others is that its formulation is more cross-linked and this means Juvederm should actually last longer, which is one of the reasons I like to use it. Patients seem to prefer a longer-lasting product.’
Because hyaluronic acid is a non-permanent filler it is completely broken down within the skin over a period of months. The product’s duration depends upon the degree of correction required, the patient’s age and lifestyle, and correct placement of the product by a practitioner. Generally the effects last for at least six to nine months, sometimes more, sometimes less, depending on skin type. A follow-up procedure a few weeks after the initial treatment can optimise the outcome. Regular top-ups are required to maintain the aesthetic effect.
Dr Kohout says Juvederm is a good addition to a surgeon’s product range because it can be used for many facial areas. It is ideal for filling in fine lines and wrinkles, and deeper folds such as the nasolabial folds, glabellar lines, marionette lines and smoker’s lines. It is also used to enhance the lips or the border of the lips, and for correcting small facial scars and minor imperfections.
Each type of Juvederm has a different size of gel particle and is designed for use in different parts of the face. ‘Of the products in the Juvederm range, I tend to use Juvederm 24 and Juvederm 30 because they work well for areas such as the nasolabial folds and the lips,’ says Dr Kohout. ‘These Juvederm products also give a smooth and uniform result, with none of the lumpiness that sometimes occurs with other products I have used.’
Juvederm has a range of benefits: it does not require a skin test, is of non-animal origin, is highly biocompatible, requires no downtime, has proven to be safe and effective, and is a cost-effective treatment. In addition, it is long lasting and gives a very natural rejuvenating effect. Patients also experience no swelling after treatment. All of this makes it a popular product with both doctors and patients.
Different Juvederm products have different uses, for example:
Juvederm 24 High Viscous (HV) When injected into the middle dermis, Juvederm 24 effectively fills forehead wrinkles, glabellar lines, obvious mild to moderate nasal furrows and cheek wrinkles, and highlights lip contours.
Juvederm 30 When injected into the middle or deep dermis, the densest version, Juvederm 30, fills deep naso-genian folds, returns volume to lips, sculptures cheeks and provides better definition of the facial outline.