The Food and Drug Administration has approved Juvederm® Ultra XC for lip augmentation treatments in adult patients over the age of 21. That means you can enjoy a more comfortable, quicker treatment by using this formulation of the popular dermal filler.

Juvederm Ultra XC includes lidocaine, a drug that numbs your skin and tissue. Therefore, you don’t need a separate anesthetic to be applied before your treatment begins. You’ll get in and out of the cosmetic center quicker since you don’t have to wait for a topical anesthetic to work.

The FDA approved the XC variation of the hyaluronic gel for lip augmentation in October. Previously, Juvederm® Ultra XC was approved by the FDA-approved for use in facial tissues with moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds. The gel is also used to add volume to the skin, primarily around the nose and mouth.

How does Juvederm® work to augment lips?

When injected into the lips, the hyaluronic acid contained in Juvederm creates volume since it attracts water to the injection sites. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance, not a synthetic filler. The result is a subtle improvement in fullness that lasts for months.

According to Allergan, the company that manufactures the product, the gel “instantly adds fullness to the lips and is the only dermal filler that has proven results lasting up to one year for lip augmentation.”

Allergan notes that 79 percent of participants in clinical trials saw a “meaningful improvement” in lip fullness three months after treatment, and more than 78 percent said they were satisfied with the look and feel of their lips one year following treatment.

Side effects, when used on the lips, can include:

Temporary redness at the injection site,

• Mild swelling and tenderness,
• Firmness,
• Lumps/bumps,
• Bruising and discoloration,
• Itching.

Any side effects are generally moderate and last around two weeks.

While Juvederm® is safe and effective, it should be used by people with severe allergies and a history of anaphylaxis. Additionally, people with allergies to gram-positive bacterial proteins or lidocaine shouldn’t use it.

Other Cosmetic Services Options to Consider

Juvederm is a great product when you have wrinkles and folds around your mouth and nose or if you want your lips to look fuller. But there are many other dermal fillers and cosmetic services available at the clinic of a cosmetic doctor like Dr. Dietzek. For instance, Botox® is used to improve the appearance of laugh and frown lines, and Belotero® works to fill in very fine lines around your eyes and forehead.  A third product called Radiesse® prompts the body to make collagen, filling in creases and adding volume, particularly around your mouth or nose.

If you want more information about any of the services available at Dr. Dietzek’s cosmetic center, please call us today for a consultation.