JUVEDERM®

JUVEDERM® injectable gel is a new, next-generation, natural injectable gel which acts as a skin 'filler' to gently restore structure and volume to skin.

JUVEDERM® is used either to softly enhance your lips or to smooth out facial wrinkles and folds, providing a natural look and feel.

JUVEDERM® injectable gel is a dermal filler which is carefully injected beneath the skin's surface to 'fill in' or 'plump up' facial wrinkles and folds and provide fullness and definition to the Iips.

HOW DO LIPS CHANGE WITH AGE?

Natural substances such as collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid that provide the skin with structure and volume decrease with age. This, together with environmental factors such as exposure to sunlight, smoking and stress all contribute to how our skin ages. The Iips in particular have an extremely thin outer layer, which becomes progressively thinner as the body ages. Over time the corners of the mouth can begin to droop (mouth frown), the v-shaped area of the upper lip known as Cupid's Bow begins to flatten out and the Iips lose their youthful fullness. Vertical lip lines can also begin to appear, causing lipstick to bleed.

HOW DOES JUVEDERM® ENHANCE MY LIPS?

By treating the border of the upper and/or lower Iip, JUVEDERM® injectable gel enhances lip contour and definition. Lip volume can also be enhanced when JUVEDERM® is used in the lip body. The results should last for at least 6 months.

HOW AND WHY DO WRINKLES FORM?

Many facial wrinkles occur when we use our muscles to form facial expressions. The wrinkles formed during facial expression are called dynamic wrinkles. When we are young our skin springs back to its initial position at rest but as we get older these wrinkles remain on the skin. The wrinkles and folds present at rest are called static wrinkles. This process occurs because natural substances such as collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid that provide the skin with structure and volume decrease with age. This, together with environmental factors such as exposure to sunlight, smoking and stress contribute to the creation of wrinkles and folds.

HOW DOES JUVEDERM® SMOOTH OUT WRINKLES?

Unlike wrinkle-relaxing injections that treat dynamic wrinkles by relaxing the muscles that cause the wrinkle causing facial expressions, JUVEDERM® injectable gel is placed below the skin's surface to literally 'fill in' or 'plump up' the static facial wrinkles and folds that are present at rest. JUVEDERM® is used to diminish the depth of wrinkles and create a natural and more refreshed facial appearance that should last for at east 6 months.

WHAT IS JUVEDERM® MADE OF?

JUVEDERM® is a smooth injectable gel that is made from a natural complex sugar called Hyaluronic Acid (Hy-al-ur-onic Acid). Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is found naturally within the tissues of living cells, including human skin. HA assists in skin hydration by attracting and holding water and also combines with collagen and elastin to provide skin structure and elasticity.

The HA in JUVEDERM® injectable gel is not derived from animals and is manufactured and purified by Allergan, especially for the smoothing of wrinkles and soft lip enhancement.

WHAT DOES THE JUVEDERM® PROCEDURE INVOLVE & HOW LONG DOES THE RESULT LAST?

Treatment with JUVEDERM® injectable gel is a non-surgical procedure by which JUVEDERM® is administered through a few injections by a trained medical professional. Your doctor may decide to administer a topical (cream) on local anaesthetic to help numb the area being treated. The majority of people resume their normal activities immediately after the procedure. The results you receive from JUVEDERM® injectable gel should last for at least 6 months.

ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?

Because the HA in JUVEDERM® is naturally present within the skin and not derived from animals, there is no need for an allergy pre-test before treatment. HA dermal fillers have been clinically studied for many years and clinical trials have shown that JUVEDERM® injectable gel is well tolerated.

The injection itself should cause minimal discomfort, and if experienced, side effects are generally temporary injection site-related effects, the majority of which should last 3 days or less. Patients may experience injection site redness, pain, firmness/hardness, swelling, lumps/bumps, bruising, itching or discolouration. The majority of people resume their normal activities immediately following the procedure.

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HYLAFORM®

The instant solution for lines, wrinkles, lip enhancement and facial contouring.

• Works for months
• Requires no skin test
• Gives immediate results
• Is cost effective and can be tailored to your budget
• Easy to inject for a more comfortable treatment

WHAT IS HYLAFORM®?

Hylaform® is a modified form of hyaluronan, a naturally occurring substance found in human skin and throughout the body. For over 20 years viscoelastic materials derived from natural hyaluronan have been invaluable in eye surgery and orthopaedic procedures.

Since Hylaform® is based on natural hyaluronan, your body biologically accepts it as its own. Hylaform® also mimics the same hydrating and lifting effects of hyaluronan, which keeps the skin hydrated and elastic, helping you look and feel great.

All it takes is a few simple injections under the surface of the skin, to help fill in and smooth away facial lines and wrinkles, acne scars, or other skin contour deficiencies and you'll see the improvements immediately!

WHAT CAUSES FACIAL LINES AND WRINKLES?

Everybody gets facial lines and wrinkles at some point in their lives. They are caused by the breakdown of the natural collagen and hyaluronan support layer that lies just beneath your skin which is the result of external factors, such as sun damage, environmental exposure and internal conditions including the body's natural aging process.

Now you can minimise the appearance of those unpleasant lines and wrinkles, and enhance your natural looks with a new range of products - Hylaform® Fineline, Hylaform® and Hylaform® Plus.

HOW DOES HYLAFORM® WORK?

Hylaform® is a gel made from the natural substance, hylauronan that is injected just beneath the skin surface to replace the collagen and hyaluronan support layer which has deteriorated. It instantly supports your skin, smoothing wrinkles, most types of scars, corrects skin contour deficiencies and improves facial lines typically found between the eyes, and around the mouth area.

It is such a simple treatment that it can be completed, in your practitioner's office allowing you to get on with your life straight away.

IS IT PAINFUL?

Minimal discomfort, you may feel an initial sting, but only for a moment. Hylaform® is injected using extremely fine needles. When creating sensuous lips, your practitioner may choose to use a dental block which ensures a more comfortable procedure when injecting into the vermilion border.

HOW OFTEN WOULD I REQUIRE TREATMENT?

Your skin is different. Everyone's is. That is why the timing of any additional treatment varies from person to person. Because Hylaform® is made from biological material it will eventually bread down and be absorbed by your body and that is why you will need ongoing treatments to maintain the look you want. If you choose not to continue with your treatment any remaining Hylaform® is simply absorbed by your body over time and your skin gradually returns to its natural contours.

Together with your Dr Hills, you can tailor a personal treatment programme that suits you best.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM MY HYLAFORM® TREATMENT?

You can expect immediate results!

In just one Hylaform® treatment you will see a real difference, with a softening of facial lines, wrinkles, and scars and the improvement of lines around the mouth area.

The great news is that Hylaform® is very similar to the hyaluronan in the body, which means we don't need to do any skin tests, and you can be treated on your very first visit to your practitioner.

There may be some local treatment responses and these are perfectly normal. They can include temporary discomfort, discolouration or mild to moderate redness and swelling. Typically these responses are temporary and, if they do occur, will usually go away within a couple of days.

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COLLAGEN REPLACEMENT THERAPY

WHAT IS COLLAGEN?

Collagen is a natural substance which supports your skin and makes it strong and resilient. Collagen is also a natural part of muscle, tendon and bone.

Collagen in people is similar to the collagen found in animals, such as cows. Due to this collagen from animals has been used in people for many purposes for more than 100 years, e.g. artificial heart valves made of animal collagen are used to replace worn out heart valves in people.

BENEFITS OF COLLAGEN REPLACEMENT THERAPY

Collagen Replacement Therapy can improve the skin's contour and reduce depressions in the skin due to scars, injury or lines. It does not get rid of scar tissue but can soften the scar tissue and help improve the defect caused by the scar.

It can be used to improve:

• Acne scars
• Depressions or pockmarks in skin due to injury or disease e.g. Chicken Pox marks
• Deep "smile lines" which run from the side of the nose to the corners of the mouth
• "Crow's feet" at the corners of the eyes
• "Frown lines" which run between the eyebrows
• "Smoker's lines" which are vertical lines on the mouth
• "Marionette lines" at the corner
• "Worry lines" which run across the forehead
• Redefining lip border
• Other facial lines

HOW IS COLLAGEN ADMINISTERED?

During your first visit, your Doctor will examine you and take a complete medical history. Collagen must be administered only by or under the supervision of a Medical Practitioner (a Doctor) who has received training in its use. Your Doctor will tell you what you can reasonably expect from treatment, discuss the risks and then you decide if you wish to receive treatment.

Before you receive treatment with Collagen your Doctor will give you a skin test by injecting a small amount of Collagen test dose into the skin on your forearm to see if you have any allergies. This will be repeated in the other forearm two weeks later. The skin tests will be observed during the first 2-3 days by a nurse for any reaction.

You will need to observe the area for four weeks for any of the following:

• redness
• swelling
• hardness
• itching
• tenderness

After the four week waiting period your Doctor will decide whether you can have Collagen Replacement Therapy. The procedure is administered in the Doctor's rooms. A local anaesthetic may be given to reduce any discomfort. A very fine needle is used to inject collagen into the agreed on areas. Most patients report any discomfort if any, as being very minor. Ice is applied to the area to reduce any swelling and discomfort.

WILL PEOPLE BE ABLE TO NOTICE?

Straight after treatment the skin over the area may look slightly raised and a little reddened. The raised area becomes flatter over the next 24 hours and normal colour returns quickly.

HOW MUCH TIME WILL I NEED OFF WORK?

As collagen is injected into the skin the procedure is simple. You do not have to go into hospital; you probably will not have to take time off work. The procedure is carried out in the Doctor's surgery.

ARE THERE ANY SIDE-EFFECTS OF COLLAGEN REPLACEMENT THERAPY?

As with any injection into the skin, treatment has a small risk of infection. In one to two people out of every hundred an allergic reaction can occur which may present as redness, itching, swelling, hardness of the area, tenderness, small bruises, hives or scarring. Some of these reactions may occur rapidly others may occur weeks to months after treatment, some may be continuous or may come and go, and last for varying times. The reaction will stop after the body has broken down the implanted collagen, your Doctor may choose to treat you with certain medicines.

Other common reactions may include cysts forming near the site of injection, temporary lumpiness or white patches at the site of injection. At consultation, Doctor will go through any possible side-effects and a brochure explaining in detail will be given to you.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT ON THE DAY OF TREATMENT?

Immediately after treatment most people find that the treated area may be red, a little swollen and tender. These are temporary, getting better in a day or two.

HOW LONG WILL THE TREATMENT LAST?

After your first treatment your Doctor may want to see you again to assess your results. The area may have settled down more than you are happy with. In this case your Doctor may suggest a "top up" treatment to achieve a better result. You should wait a minimum of 2-3 weeks between treatments. Once in the skin, the collagen implant becomes similar to the skin which surrounds it. The implant is not permanent because it is a natural material and slowly breaks down into natural components which are taken up by the body. The treatment lasts approximately from four months to one year.

WILL I NEED 'TOP UPS'?

To maintain the improvement from your first collagen treatment, extra top up treatments will be needed, varying from person to person.

When you notice a line or defect coming back, you can arrange for another treatment, or you can choose to stop having treatment and your skin will go back to its previous position.

WHAT IS 'OVERCORRECTION'?

"Overcorrection" occurs when too much collagen is injected. If overcorrected, the skin will look slightly raised, but this will generally go away in three to four months.

WHAT IS THE 'PARIS LIP'

Introduced by Lauren Bacall in 1991, it is the Collagen Replacement Therapy used to define the border of the lip, especially the heart-shaped area of the top lip called the "Cupid's bow", so the lip has a fashionable, well defined look. It is a subtle more natural look than the prominent plump lips. The collagen used to create the Paris Lip will eventually wear down as well, but may be maintained with re-treatments every 2-3 months as part of your regular beauty routine. It is so quick and easy it can be done over your lunch hour and go back to work.

The Paris Lip defines the border to give a natural outline to the lips, even without lipstick and is suitable for 25 year olds as well as 45 year olds.

Adherence to the information on this site will not ensure successful treatment in every situation and will not ensure specific results in the individual patient. Although complications may be rare, there are certain inherent risks connected with surgical procedures that should be discussed with the surgeon. This Website contains very general information and any procedures mentioned in it should be discussed in detail with your surgeon at the time of consultation.