Juvederm - Does it expand after injection?

Is it true that Juvederm expands after it is injected?

I had injections 1 week apart in lips and nasolabial folds. One syringe each visit. Not pleased with results. Doc wants me to wait as product expands...

5 answers to “Juvederm - Does it expand after...”

A: Juvederm volume doesn't increase after injection

By George J. Beraka, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

To Anonymous, Hi. I am sorry that you are getting contradictory answers. Juvederm does indeed absorb water, but the useful point for the patient is that you should look good right after treatment. I would not inject LESS than you need thinking that it is going to get bigger later. So you probably... more

A: Juvederm does not expand significantly

By Kenneth R. Francis, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

I have never used expansion of the product as an excuse for not injecting more product. The hyaluronic acids are hygroscopic, meaning that they attract water, but my understanding is that the water attraction is an isovolumetric phenomenon. This means that they attract water as they breakdown,... more

A: Expansion yes, but...

By Christopher L. Hess, MD - Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

True that Juvederm will attract water after it is injected. However, the final result of the filler is evident within just a few days. Waiting longer does not increase the overall amount of filler. I've found that one syringe of filler is usually enough for the lips. However, the... more

A: Yes, but to a different extent in different injection sites.

By Bryan K. Chen, MD - San Diego Dermatologist

Juvederm can continue to expand up to several hours after injection as the material draws water into the soft tissue. The lips and lower eyelids are the most susceptible to this kind of filler expansion (less so in the nasolabial folds). The temporary swelling from hyaluronic acid filler injections... more

A: yes, within the first few days

By Min S. Ahn, MD - Westborough Facial Plastic Surgeon

Yes Juvederm expands within the first few days. The hyaluronic acid is hygroscopic, meaning that it absorbs water from the surrounding tissue. That is why your lips can swell a bit if you have eaten a salty meal or are retaining water. By two weeks after the treatment, the volume should be stable and you... more

Comments (2)

dverebelyi
79 posts
1 Jan 2009

Juvederm is made of Hyaluronic Acid (HA) which is a large glycoprotein naturally found in the skin. HAs can hold about 1000 times their own weight in water. This is one of the reasons why HAs tend to plump the skin in a very natural way and are used topically to help the skin retain moisture. Juvederm is only partial hydrated when it is injected into the skin. This means that once it is injected into the skin and is exposed to water it will continue to collect water molecules and "expand". As long as your skin is fairly well hydrated most of this process should be done within about two weeks from the initial injections. If after two weeks you still feel like you need more volume you may consider going back to your provider and asking him/her if they think there would be any benefit to adding some additional product.

drbanda
91 posts
2 Jan 2009

All fillers will absorb water from the tissue and 'expand'. However, the initial swelling tends to be more marked than the water absorption expansion you get after that swelling has settled down. If it has been more than a couple weeks and you want more fullness it may be time for a touch up. My experience has been that if anyone needs a filler at all in the nasolabial folds a single syringe of Juvederm for both sides is usually not enough. If you look in the mirror right after the injection and you feel like you need more, I'll inject more within reason.