What Are the Side Effects of Juvéderm Fillers?

Before getting any treatments, it’s important to understand their side effects and whether or not they’re naturally-occurring and subside eventually. While there are some side effects from dermal fillers that are typically resolved within days or weeks, others have side effects that last for longer periods of time.

Take for example the hyaluronic acid-based filler Juvéderm,which is minimally invasive and relatively painless, but can still trigger some natural bodily responses that don’t need emergency care.

So what are the side effects of Juvéderm? Some of the most common ones include redness, swelling, pain in the injection site, tenderness, firmness, bruising and discoloration, itching, and even dryness. Like any other cosmetic injectable, these side effects typically take effect days after your treatment, and will likely cause some minor discomfort. But by taking steps to prepare for your dermal filler treatment, like choosing a trusted and reliable provider, you can minimize the risk of more serious effects and get the best results possible too.

Learn More: The Side Effects of Dermal Fillers

Discover Your Beauty Potential with Aesthetica

Aesthetica can assist you with all your beauty needs, helping you achieve your maximum beauty and aesthetic potential. Call or contact us today to learn more about our cosmetic services.

book now

Side Effects of Juvéderm Fillers

Juvéderm is a hyaluronic acid-based filler that’s injected into areas with diminished or naturally thin volume. Like many other facial injection procedures, getting Juvéderm fillers can come with a number of side effects. The most common side effects of Juvéderm reported by patients include:

Redness
Swelling
Pain in the injection site
Tenderness
Firmness
Bruising and discoloration
Itching
Dryness

These are minor side effects that typically resolve within the first two weeks after injection. Most of these side effects are natural bodily responses to a needle penetrating your skin.. The body does this in order to prevent infections and to eventually seal the microtear from the needle puncture.

But if these side effects are bothersome and uncomfortable, you can use remedies like over-the-counter pain relievers and cold compresses to help manage the discomfort. Just make sure to ask your provider regarding which types of medical drugs you’re allowed to take, especially the ones that won’t affect your filler treatment.

When to See a Doctor

More serious side effects are less common but possible. Patients may need to see a doctor or get emergency care if the following symptoms persist:

Skin infection – this can happen if the injection site was not properly sterilized before Juvéderm was administered. It can also happen if you get a dermal filler injection while you have an active bacterial infection like acne or eczema, especially near your treatment area. You’ll need to talk to a doctor to receive a topical or oral antibiotic to treat your infection.
Lumps and bumps forming around the treatment area – this can be caused either by poor dermal filler placement or because you’ve mishandled aftercare treatment. If you’ve had your dermal filler procedure done by someone with little experience, the gel may not be evenly distributed and can cause lumps. Also, avoid touching the injection site immediately after your treatment to allow it to set into your dermis properly.
Adverse allergic reaction – hyaluronic acid is a naturally-occurring substance in your body, so the chances of allergic reaction is low. However, you may have an allergy to any of the other ingredients found in Juvéderm. Your provider should check if you have any allergies before your first injection. If you’re experiencing difficulty breathing, speaking, or swallowing or any other adverse effects after receiving filler treatment, seek emergency care immediately.
Blurred vision or blindness – this is a very rare side effect caused by accidentally injecting Juvéderm into a blood vessel, especially near your eyes. This can result in long-term vision abnormalities. Getting an experienced provider reduces technical risks, including having the filler injected into your blood vessels.

Are Juvéderm Fillers Safe?

Juvéderm is one of the popular dermal filler options because its ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, provide many benefits. Juvéderm is consistently expanding its line with new fillers, and there are plenty of FDA-approved Juvéderm filler versions available for treatment use. Juvéderm Vollure, Juvéderm Volbella XC, Juvéderm Ultra XC, and Juvéderm Voluma XC have all been approved by the FDA in treating areas like the lips, fine lines, chin, and cheeks.

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally-occurring substance in the skin which, on top of volume restoration, can also promote skin hydration and collagen production. Because it’s naturally- occurring in the body, there’s a lower chance of developing an allergic reaction to hyaluronic acid-based fillers. It’s also one of the more relatively affordable types of dermal filler material.

In making an informed decision, it helps to be aware of the disadvantages of getting Juvéderm compared to other fillers. Compared to synthetic filler materials that can last for at least one year, Juvéderm has a shorter lifespan. Some synthetic dermal fillers can last for years, while alternatives like autologous fat injections can serve as a permanent filler.

Although results can vary, some patients report the effects of Juvéderm wearing off as early as 6 months. Meanwhile, some patients report its effects staying around a year up to 18 months. Whatever the case may be, scheduling follow-up treatments definitely helps maintain the effects of Juvéderm on you for longer.

Who Can Get Juvéderm Fillers?

Juvéderm is available to any adult over the age of 18 who wants to either restore volume lost with aging or add volume to naturally thin facial areas with hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers. Like other injectable fillers, however, it may not be for everyone. People who should avoid getting Juvéderm are those who:

Have an active skin infection or are taking medication for skin infection. Get dermal fillers after your infection has fully healed.
Are pregnant or breastfeeding
Have a history of severe allergic reactions
Have a history of allergies to any of the ingredients used in Juvéderm fillers, including lidocaine and gram-positive bacterial protein
Have a bleeding disorder

Prior to your first injection, consider sitting down with your provider for an initial consultation to see if Juvéderm is a compatible treatment for your skin and goals.

Juvéderm vs. Other Fillers

Juvéderm is just one of the dermal filler products you can choose from. A cosmetic doctor can recommend which one is best for you depending on factors like your allergies, how long you want the filler to last, and your budget. Also, depending on the type of aging signs you want to address , they may recommend an alternative treatment like Botox injections. Aestheticians may also suggest taking fillers in tandem with other cosmetic treatments to help address your skin issues.

For comparison, take a look at the table below to learn more about other dermal fillers and Botox injections.

	Juvéderm	Radiesse	Bellafill	Botox Injections
Average price per syringe	$550	$717	$1,058	$10 to $15 (per unit)
Manufacturer	Allegra	Merz Aesthetics (Germany)	Suneva Medical, Inc. (US)	Allegra
FDA-approved?	Approved in 2006 (Not all Juvéderm fillers are FDA-approved; Only Juvéderm, Juvéderm XC, Juvéderm Voluma XC, Juvéderm Ultra XC, Juvéderm Volbella XC, and Juvéderm Vollure are approved for use in the US)	Approved in 2006	Approved in 2015	Approved in 2002
Dermal Filler Substance	Hyaluronic acid	Calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres	Polymethyl-methacrylate microspheres (synthetic filler)	Its main ingredient is botulinum toxin, a substance that can paralyze muscles
Best used for, according to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery	Lower cheek augmentation, jawline, nasolabial folds, lip filler for lines and lip augmentation, chin, under the eyes (tear trough), smile lines, upper neck, back of your hands	Moderate to severe facial wrinkles and facial folds, nasolabial folds (smile lines), oral commissures (corners of your mouth), marionette lines, pre-jowl folds, chin wrinkles, and hand rejuvenation	Nasolabial folds, chin, acne scars, depressed scars, and other types of facial scars	Dynamic wrinkles (wrinkles caused by repeated muscle movement over time). These include horizontal lines on your forehead, frown lines, crow’s feet, etc.
How long do the effects last, according to the manufacturer?	1 to 2 years	At least 1 year	5 years	3 to 4 months
Unique Features	Juvéderm’s hyaluronic acid can help deliver nutrients to your skin while also retaining moisture and softness.	Radiesse is the only FDA-approved Calcium hydroxyapatite dermal filler. It can also be used to treat the loss of fat volume in your hands.	The only FDA-approved long-term solution for acne scars.	Freezes muscles to prevent creasing and reduce the appearance of fine lines and deeper wrinkles from developing.

A skilled derma filler provider can help determine if Juvéderm is the best way to treat your signs of aging or if you need other filler products, additional facial injections, or even a more invasive cosmetic procedure to best achieve your goals.

Achieve a Fuller, Younger-Looking Face with Aesthetica MI

woman receiving an injection of dermal fillers in her face

Like many facial injections and other cosmetic treatments, Juvéderm dermal fillers come with a number of side effects, which are mostly natural bodily responses that subside eventually. Before committing to getting dermal fillers, it’s essential to know all the pros and cons of getting these fillers so that you can weigh your options and see if this is the right step towards achieving younger-looking skin.

Common side effects are normal and go away within a couple of weeks, but to reduce the risk of more serious side effects, look for a provider that has the experience and skills to administer safe and outstanding results.

At Aesthetica MI, it’s our mission to help our patients achieve their beauty goals. Our state-of-the-art luxury med spa, coupled with our highly-trained physician-led team, can deliver the highest levels of quality in a treatment plan customized to your goals. To discuss your personalized beauty treatments, schedule an appointment online today.