Juvederm Q&A
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Source of Juvederm?

asked 2 years ago by DianaNZ in New Zealand
Latest answer by Steven Wallach, MD
Question viewed 555 times
Tags: wrinkles, hyaluronic acid, ingredient

Does the source of Juvederm come from live humans or dead humans? I understand that Juvederm is naturally occurring; and that injections of hyaluronic acid (such as Juvederm) are intended to temporarily replace loss through the normal aging process (thereby, reducing appearance of wrinkles etc).

However, where does the source of the Juvederm used in these injections come from? Dead or live donor humans, synthetic reproduction or animal DNA? I need full disclosure to enable an informed decision to proceed with this treatment. Thank you for your consideration.

7 answers to Source of Juvederm?

+2

Juvederm

Juvederm is a laboratory produced hyaluronic acid which is a great product for facial enhancement.  I use it all the time.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+2

Juvederm and its source

Juvederm is not a collagen, and it is not derived from animal hides, or any animal parts. In the laboratory, DNA is altered in such away that a bacteria reproduces the DNA suitable to reproduction.
Ronald Shelton, MD

Manhattan Dermatologist
+1

Juvederm is a synthetic gel made of hyaluronic acid

Juvederm is a smooth consistency gel made of hyaluronic acid, a natural complex sugar found in the human skin and throughout the body. It creates volume, hydration, and elasticity. Since the hyaluronic acid in Juvederm is created by biosynthesis in laboratory, patients are not required to take an allergy test before receiving treatment. This dermal FDA-approved filler is used for the wrinkle correction and lip enhancement.
Gregory Turowski, MD, PhD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Juvederm

Juvederm does not come from human material, dead or alive. It is produced in a laboratory by cross-linking hyaluronic acid produced by Streptococcus Equi. Recombinant DNA technology is employed in the manufacturing process. The bacteria that produces the hyaluronic acid is not disease producing. The bottom line is that Juvederm has been shown t to be safe and effective.
Sigmund L. Sattenspiel, MD

Freehold Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Juvederm is produced from bacteria

Juvederm is considered "non-animal based" because it is produced in a lab by a special strain of bacteria specifically created to make a pure hyaluronic acid with all the specifications required.  An older product called Hylaform is animal based, and came from roosters.
Lorrie Klein, MD

Laguna Niguel Dermatologic Surgeon

www.ocdermatology.com

+1

Streptococcus equi

The source of the hyaluronic acid to make Juvederm does not come from a human source at all; alive or dead. It is obtained from the bacteria Streptococcus Equi. As you can see from its name, this bacteria is more commonly found in horses. This particular bacteria, a harmless one, was chosen since it has the capability of producing copious amounts of hyaluronic acid.
Arnold R. Oppenheim, MD

Virginia Beach Dermatologist
+1

Juvederm

According to the package insert: "JUVÉDERM™ Ultra injectable gel consists ofcrosslinked hyaluronic acid (HA) produced by Streptococcusequi bacteria." This is essentially though recombinant DNA technology.
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

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