Time marches on, and fortunately, so does science. Thanks to advances in research and clinical trials, scientists have delivered a remarkable way to make your face appear younger instantly.

Unlike your old-school options — ineffective topicals or invasive surgery — this newer treatment offers immediate results in just a few painless minutes. Called injectable dermal fillers, these treatments replace lost volume under the surface of your skin to restore youthful contours and smooth out wrinkles.

Fillers can change your looks significantly, so you want to make sure you choose a provider who is board-certified and experienced, like the team at Washington OB-GYN & Washington Wellness, P.A. in San Antonio, Texas. Here, we take a closer look at the Juvéderm® line of fillers to help you find the right product for you.

An overview of dermal fillers

In addition to affecting the surface of your skin, the aging process also causes some problems under the surface. Over time, you begin to lose the layer of fat that once made your cheeks and chin look and feel soft and supple.

Your body also slows down its production of two important proteins, collagen and elastin, which are responsible for the structure and resilience of your skin, Hyaluronic acid, which holds moisture and lubricates tissues, dissipates with age, too. The depletion of these elements leaves your face looking like a deflated latex balloon — stretched and shriveled.

Dermal fillers inject various solutions into your skin to replace what you’ve lost and effectively “re-inflate” your face.

There are several brands of dermal fillers, and each is formulated differently to address different problems. At Washington OB-GYN & Washington Wellness, we offer many options, including one of the industry leaders, Juvéderm. Within this product line, you have multiple options — here’s what they can do for you.

About Juvéderm fillers

Some dermal fillers use calcium hydroxyapatite to plump up your face; others use solutions of polylactic acid, polyalkylimide, or polymethyl-methacrylate microspheres. Juvéderm uses hyaluronic acid, which is found throughout your body in your eyes, connective tissues, cartilage, and skin.

Hyaluronic acid is FDA-approved as an anti-aging injectable, and it’s even used to treat painful joints. Because your body is familiar with hyaluronic acid, there’s no adverse reaction to the injection. Depending on the formula you choose and your individual genetics and activity level, your results should last 1-2 years, at which time you can simply come back in for a touch-up.

Each product within the Juvéderm line is specifically formulated to treat certain areas of your face.

Juvéderm Voluma XC

If your cheeks appear sunken or hollow, we can inject Juvéderm Voluma XC deep under your skin to deliver new stores of hyaluronic acid that plump your cheeks up and restore their natural contours.

Juvéderm Vollure XC

To smooth out the wrinkles and textural issues caused by lost volume, Juvéderm Vollure XC adds just enough substance under the surface of your skin to tighten it without radically changing your contours.

Juvéderm Volbella XC and Ultra XC

Lips are a tricky area, and they call for a specially formulated solution that can fill in those vertical lines above and below. Enter Juvéderm Volbella XC — your best choice for plump, wrinkle-free lips. This formula can also work under your eyes.

For deeper lines, consider Juvéderm Ultra XC, which has a higher concentration of hyaluronic acid.

Juvéderm Ultra Plus XC

The thickest formula — Juvéderm Ultra Plus XC — works best for deeper lines, nasolabial folds around your nose and mouth, extreme volume loss, and significant recontouring.

So, which dermal filler is the right choice?

In addition to the area on your face you want to address, there are other variables to consider when choosing an injectable filler. When you come in for a consultation, we thoroughly examine your skin, get to know your health history and any current medical issues you may have, and talk to you about your aesthetic goals.

With this information, we help you navigate your many options — which may include Botox®, an injectable that addresses a different type of facial wrinkle caused by repeated facial expressions.

You don’t need surgery to take years off your face. We’re here to answer all of your questions about the injectables we offer and how they can help you look as young as you feel.