JUVEDERM FACIAL FILLER

02/02/07

Juvéderm is the latest, “next generation” gel filler. It is non-animal derived, and offers a more natural look and feel than previous injectable fillers. Dr. Coverman was asked by Allergan, (the manufacturers of Juvederm) to participate in the final phase human studies (The JET study), and has found this product to be more viscous, more long-lasting, easier to work with, and more natural in appearance to all previous fillers. In addition, it seems less painful and more comfortable for the patient during the injection process.

The difference between Juvéderm and Restylane is that the concentration of hyaluronic acid is higher in Juvederm, and in addition it is more highly cross-linked. This not only gives a smoother formulation but helps the product last longer.

In 1981, Dr. Coverman was asked by Collagen Corporation to be the first user of Zyderm and Zyplast Collagen in the entire state of Texas. At that time, he was also completing final phase human studies for Collagen . As late as year 2000, Dr. Coverman was still the leading injector of Zyplast Collagen in the entire state of Texas.

Zyplast was the original filler - it was made from animal based Collagen, and it required prior allergy testing. Since then, several new fillers have arrived, all of which are made from other support structures that are naturally found in your skin. These products give the skin support and volume.

Collagen and elastin are fibers underneath your skin that give it support. When these are old, damaged, or otherwise dissipated, they will collapse and a wrinkle will fall into place. The same thing will happen with scarring. Hyaluronic acid, the main component of Juvederm and Restylane retains water and adds volume. It is a normal physiologic component of dermal tissues found in all living vertebrate animals. Juvederm is more densely concentrated and more highly cross-linked than previous gels such as Restylane. It is transparent, homogenous, and easy to work with. It has the following benefits:

It is obtained by laboratory biosynthesis and is not of human or animal origin.
No prior allergy testing is necessary.
The molecule is highly bio-compatible and ultimately, completely, and safely absorbable.
The packaged final product is more highly concentrated and cross-linked than Restylane.
Clinically, the product is easier to inject and less painful.
The correction seems to be fuller, rounder, smoother, and less noticeable.
Beading as seen with prior Collagen and CosmoPlast does not occur.

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