What's the Difference Between Juvederm, Restylane and Elevess?

    NORFOLK, VA, May 19, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- With time, your facial skin begins to lose its structure and volume. The result is unpleasant wrinkles that can make you feel old and unattractive. There are three injectable gel forms of hyaluronic acid, a natural complex sugar found in all living cells that can help mask the effects of aging: Juvederm, Restylane and Elevess.

The complex sugar in the hyaluronic acid gel is one of the major components of your skin. This gel makes wrinkle correction possible by retaining water much like a sponge. In fact, it can absorb more than 1,000 times its weight, helping to attract and maintain the water in your skin. The treatment area becomes more hydrated and the volume and density look as though they have increased. There are no animal proteins in any of these fillers, so there is no possibility of animal-based disease transmission and allergic reactions are very rare.

Restylane

Restylane is a hyaluronic acid dermal filler that is smooth and soft enough for lip plumping and use around the mouth, but is also appropriate for filling deep folds and replacing lost fat in your face. In the lips, Restylane can last up to six months. Heavier duty Restylane that is injected in other areas of your face can last up to a year.

Juvederm

Juvederm is very similar to Restylane, but is it not made of microspheres, so it can produce even smoother results in the lips than Restylane can. Juvederm can reduce or eliminate the appearance of wrinkles and acnes scars while improving the contours of your face. Because this dermal filler has a higher concentration of hyaluronic acid, making it look like Jello as opposed to particles that you can see with other fillers. This allows Juvederm to make your skin more supple while giving it a more youthful glow than other fillers. The results of Juvederm also last about six months to one year depending on the application and weight of the product used.

Elevess

Elevess utilizes a higher concentration hyaluronic acid filler than both Juvederm and Restylane. It contains lidocaine, a local anesthetic that provides a more comfortable procedure but does increase the risk of allergic reaction. Elevess can be used for wrinkles and folds, fine lines, and acne scars. It can also be used around the mouth, but is not ideal for lip plumping. Another attractive feature of Elevess is that it can improve your skin's ability to hydrate itself. The results of Elevess last six months on average.

Elevess vs. Juvederm and Restylane

Many Maryland cosmetic surgeons agree that Juvederm lasts longer and seems to cause a smoother effect than Restylane. But, now that Elevess has been introduced into the marketplace, some feel that this filler now replaces both Juvederm and Restylane. Elevess uses a 1cc syringe whereas Juvederm uses a 0.8 cc.

Mild bruising or swelling may occur with temporary injection site redness. Patients should avoid taking aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications for 10 to 14 days prior to treatment. Because of the high degree of cross-linking in the injectable gel technology, the duration of results may last 6 months or longer.

Consultation First

Many Maryland cosmetic surgeons offer complimentary consultations. This is one of the best ways to determine which dermal filler is best for you. Where Juvederm is used on one patient, Restylane may be appropriate for another patient. It depends on your needs and desires on specific areas, and the properties of your skin. And as mentioned above, certain fillers are more appropriate for different areas of the face. Be sure to discuss your cosmetic goals and any concerns before you move forward with treatment.

If you live in the Maryland area and want to learn more about what dermal filler is right for you, please visit the website for the Nova Surgicare, PC Center for Oral and Facial Rejuvenation today at www.novasurgicare.com.

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