Juvederm Injections – Benefits, Cost & Side Effects

Reviewed by Scott R. Miller, MD, FACS

Juvederm dermal filler was FDA-approved in June 2006 for the treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds such as nasolabial folds (those lines that extend from your nose to the corners of your mouth).

What is Juvederm?

Juvederm is a gel implant that includes hyaluronic acid, a natural complex sugar that bolsters skin elasticity, providing a smooth and supple appearance. It is biocompatible, supplementing the body's natural hyaluronic acid, which age has depleted.

How Does Juvederm Work?

The transparent Juvederm gel is injected with a syringe into the mid- to deep dermis of your face. The dermis is the subsurface skin layer that contains connective tissue, nerve endings, sweat and oil glands, and blood vessels.

Juvederm improves your appearance by lifting and adding volume to the wrinkles and folds in the treatment area. After six to nine months, the biocompatible compound is naturally absorbed into the body.

The injectable gel filler is available in three formulas:

• Juvederm 18: a fluid gel targeting the superficial (upper) dermis for fine lines such as crow's feet.
• Juvederm 24: a denser gel targeting the mid-dermis for moderate lines such as forehead winkles.
• Juvederm 30: the densest gel, targeting the deep dermis for deep naso-genian grooves (the folds between your cheeks and nose) and nasolabial folds, for enhancing lip volume, and for reshaping cheek contours.

A Juvederm advantage is its pliant gel consistency, which may provide a smoother, more natural-looking appearance than some of its more rigid predecessors. Another advantage is that Juvederm may last longer, maintaining the improved appearance for six to nine months. The benefits may last even longer if you have a follow-up treatment a few weeks after the first treatment.

Juvederm Side Effects

Side effects with Juvederm are rare, but may include redness, tenderness, or pain at the injection site. If these occur, they usually subside within three days. Rarely, discoloration may occur, but this is reversible. Firmness, swelling, bumps, and bruises are also rare side effects, which should subside within seven days.

Cost of Juvederm

Juvederm cost typically ranges between $300 and $1,000 per syringe, depending on the formula used and other factors. In some cases a second syringe may be needed for a fully satisfactory outcome. Some practices may offer a reduced rate for the second syringe in these cases.

If the out-of pocket cost is more than you can pay all at once, ask your doctor about payment plan options. For financing options and tips, please read the article about patient financing. For pricing information related to other treatments, read an overview of cosmetic surgery costs.

[page updated June 2008]