Juvederm: Stories

Write a Review

Smooth Results but Doesn't Last As Long As Advertised, more bruising and swelling - Scottsdale, AZ

The juvederm ultra plus is slightly better than...

The juvederm ultra plus is slightly better than the regular juvederm. It always gives smooth results but you swell a lot for a week then it goes down a LOT. Disappointing if it's your lips that go away so fast. I work out a lot so I process fillers rather quickly. Perlane lasts longer for me but the juve tends to have less lumps. Had it in my tear troughs before I had my blepharoplasties done and it gave me a bluish hue in that area. I get a really good deal on it so I kind of alternate between the 2 brands for my lips and nasal folds. Juve lasts like a month and half for me.

Had juvederm ultra plus 2 days ago in my lips....

Had juvederm ultra plus 2 days ago in my lips. Haven't had it in a while (been using perlane). The injections were much more painful than I remember. I do perlane without numbing cream and can handle it but the juvederm without numbing cream was nearly unbearable. I had tears running down my face most of the time and I never felt the numbing effects of the lidocaine in the filler. Swelling was much more than the perane. 2 hours later, signs of bruising were already appearing despite constant ice packs applied afterwards.

Now to today, 2 days after. My lip volume and shape looks great but I know it will go down a lot (seemingly more than perlane) as I have experienced w juvederm in the past. Lips still feel tender when pressed or massaged. I have some nasty bruising on both upper and lower, an angry vibrant red purple hue that is very hard to conceal with makeup. While I was layering on the concealer yesterday before I went to work, it occurred to me that I only bruise to this extent w juvederm. Hardly w perlane. Last time I had this juvederm bruising I had it for like 2 weeks:(

Will likely stick to perlane in the future. In the meantime, I need to find a heavy duty concealer..

It has been 2 weeks since I had my last juve and...

It has been 2 weeks since I had my last juve and it seems to have nearly disappeared by the the amount that I "went down." I am going to get a touch up with Perlane soon..maybe in about 2 wks. I know it is still there but the difference in results I had from the first wk til now is dramatically disappointing. My bruising is long gone but so is my desired volume.

Great review?

My Doctor:

My rating:

Doctor's Bedside Manner
Answered My Questions
After Care Follow-Up
Time Spent With Me
Phone or Email Responsiveness
Staff Professionalism & Courtesy
Payment Process
Wait Times

They have amazing monthly specials on fillers, botox/dysport, peels and more. They have recently started to offer zeltiq which I am eager to try if it works!!

Comments (58)

Sort by
annibella 23 Jan 2013
Wow... I think I over-paid significantly!!!!! I just had it done 2 days ago... first time. The lips and the laugh lines. I am only 33, do its not like I had HORRIBLE lines to fill and my lips aren't that thin. BUT - he used TWO entire syringes AND I was charged $750 per syringe!!! It ended up being $1,500!!!! I don't see anything close to that price anywhere on this site! You seem pretty experienced with this, so I thought I would write to you. They also told me it lasts YEARS. He and his associate both said this AFTER the procedure was completed... I questioned them... "years!?!?" I said. And they both said "Yep!" Ugh...was I taken for a fool or what? :(
Scottsdale1247 (RealFriend) 2 Feb 2013
Pricing varies-doctors charge much more than med centers for their extensive experience, knowledge and education.  However, a lot of doctors have nurse injectors to handle most of their filler business.  That price I have posted is how much it was the first time I ever got Juve with an additonal discount for being a member of the gym that occupies the building-and it was at a med center,  The np there has tons of experience under her belt though.  You just have to do some research to find a credible injector whether it be a dr or a np,  That center's current price is higher now but still reasonable - 450 or 2 for 700.  At most plastic surgeons locally here in AZ, I believe the price is between 500-600.  Some doctors may work with you if you have a lot of other competive prices and you ask nicely:)   No current fda approved fillers claim to last years but some semi permanant ones like radiesse, hydrelle (formerly elevess), and sculptra  claim up to a year but are made of not hyaluronic based (except the hydrelle).  Be careful with these as they are not reversible if you get a result that is not so satisfactory,  You were not a fool, just trusting because you didn't know any better.  Most doctors would not take advantage of this but it is still safe to do some research before you jump into a new unknown so you don't feel like you are being led blindly. I do hope you can have a good experience someday with fillers-in the right hands they can make subtle and amazing differences.  If you have any questions about anything, you have at least one friend now that you can ask:)
annibella 2 Feb 2013
Thank you so much for your response! :) I really appreciate you taking the time to share your insight with me. I will definitely be looking into it more carefully next time. I am thrilled with the results!! So, I am sure I would want to do it again. I wish it did last for years, like they claimed... but, for now I'll just enjoy the results :) I live just outside of Philadelphia and had the procedure done at a plastic surgery center in an area called "the Main Line" - notoriously expensive area in the Philly suburbs. The entire procedure was handled by the Dr. himself, and he did administer Lidocaine injections inside my mouth to numb me before administering any of the Juvederm shots. Other places that I've called have said they use ICE to numb you shortly before the procedure or that the Juvederm itself contained Lidocaine. Um... Yikes! And, although the price I paid was the highest I've heard of (ugh!) I have done some research and it seems to generally be more expensive in this area than many other areas of the country. Why? Who knows! I got an email recently for a "special deal" on juvaderm at 1 for $650 from a different provider. I guess I didn't get ripped off too badly... I would love to share my photos with you and get your thoughts!! (please keep in mind I had a poor excuse for lips to begin with, so the "after" might look like anyone else's "before"- haha) I had the same crazy bruising you had and the lumpiness but the bruises have since cleared and the lumpiness is smoothing out. I really do love the results!! I just need to travel somewhere else to get it done next time :) Thanks again for your feedback! -- I'll create my own post to describe my experience in a few - with pictures! Then you can see how badly I needed some lips... haha!
Chronic 2 Aug 2012
What does your scottsdale dr charge? Just had 1 full sir. Of juvaderm injected into my lips. Not a huge noticable difference. I love it but they are verrrry lumpy and were purple blue and bruised. I am hoping the lumps are bruises.

Im in phx as well so more info would be awesome!

Plz dont mind the awful typing. First thing im writing on my new phone. Learning curve.
Scottsdale1247 (RealFriend) 2 Aug 2012

Hi Chronic,

So the price on my initial review was a price from a med aesthetics place I go to sometimes but that was a while ago-their price is 450 i think but they have a monthly special 2 for 700 right now.  If you choose to go there, it will be a np injecting you.  She is great but if you need more extensive areas done like I do (nose bridge, chin, etc..) than you need to go to a doctor.  I recommend my dr since I have been using his services for a few years and also bc he is a facial specialist so he doesn't do his work a little here and there all over like a lot of general plastic surgeons, he chooses to specialize in the face.  This was important to me bc I didn't want my face in the hands of someone that doesn't do faces for the majority of there work and does 90% boob job, lipo, and other body work.  Dr Holden I believe charges 500 but I would call and ask as he has his periodic specials like most.  You can mention you saw his reviews on realself.

 

I noticed I bruise more often with Juve and its always very dark, a nasty plum color that graduates to a angry red-fuschia.  Also, I get a lot more initial swelling so the results seem more disappointing after a week or so.  I mostly use Perlane and throw in a Juve once in a while for its smooth consistency.  btw, you shoudn't be TOO lumpy from the Juve since that is the advertised advantage of the brand (gel-like consistency).  I do get slight lumps from Perlane but it smooths out some and it keeps the volume better and longer for me (and rarely bruise).  Everyone is different so keep that in mind...

 

Good luck, let me know how it goes!
lrp2012 14 Jul 2012
I cannot believe these people who want to chastise you for using fillers! Maybe they are jealous or bitter?! I am thinking about getting fillers for my lips, marionette lines and perhaps the hollow part of my lower cheek at age 29. Not sure though since I've heard some horror stories on here but girl, you look good and I commend you for your cool headed responses to those who criticize you for your choices!
Scottsdale1247 (RealFriend) 2 Aug 2012

Thanks sobechic:)    You know, there will always be ppl that judge, I like to think it's bc they just don't know as much as they think there is to know.  I remember in my early 20's never thinking i would be into the facial enhancers but here I am now, an advocate for whatever makes you look and feel your best! 

29 is a great age to do subtle maintenance, a lot of the sun damage we did to ourselves early on starts showing up and the 11's start being a little more pronounced between the brows.  I started enhancers at 29 and wished I started at 28.  When you enter your 30's you realize the benefits of regularly getting light peels, using retinol, moisturizing with spf, and touch ups of botox to prevent deep wrinkling.  It's natural to lose facial fat as we age so a little filler here and there can really make a difference-ppl think of overly done faces with duck lips when they hear about  fillers but that is not the norm.  If you get it done in a subtle way, most ppl would never guess you had it unless you told them.  But you will look a tiny bit more refreshed bc you are keeping up with the loss of the facial fat.

 

I say if you are financially able to do it for yourself, go for it!  You only live once!  :)
Sara in Washington 2 Jul 2012
Thank you so much for mentioning exercise tends to burn Juvederm right out of your face! I had no idea that would happen; it's something I'm just now noticing on myself. I had dermal fillers done June 27, 2012 (cheeks, tear troughs, lips, and temples), and I'm already noticing less fullness in my lips and under my eyes, possibly due to the puffiness residing (which wasn't that bad for me), who knows. It's kind of depressing to think all that money ($1,500) will be gone within a month or so. Speaking of which, is $292 what you spent for one appointment, per syringe, etc? Btw, you look amazing, pre and post-fillers!
Scottsdale1247 (RealFriend) 10 Jul 2012

Thanks! glad to help-there is a lot I wish I knew before I started getting fillers too!  That was one syringe at my med aesth place I sometimes go to (dr's price always more) but that price has gone up as Juve now puts more product in their syringes.  instead of .7 ml it is 1ml.  It is 345 now I think.  The smoothness that Juve is known for tends to be one of the things that makes its seem like it disappears so much faster I think too,  Working out really makes a difference in how my body processes fillers-botox too!  Everyone is different though really.  Some ppl swear they can go 6 months or more but I prefer to get touched up every other month.  Seems less obvious than waiting until all the filler is gone then POOF all off a sudden I have full lips again LOL.  My plastic surgeon banks my syringes for me so I don't use all of it in one sitting.  I would guess that I use maybe 4 syringes a year total.  The juve did that for me too-I did the same areas that you did w the exception of the temples and used 3 syringes and within a month it was gone.  I didn't know better and used the reg Juve not the ultra plus.  It swells a lot but goes down by at least 50% after a wk or so for me.  So i have figured out a maintenance routine where I use Perlane but use Juvederm every so often.
Sara in Washington 13 Jul 2012
It would be nice if these fillers lasted 6 months or more, like you mentioned some people have said; but again, I'm not noticing that longevity. I'm seeing my doc again in another month, so it'll be interesting to see what will or won't be done. I really loved the results at the beginning, but the cost--omg! There's no way I could keep up with it. I will double-check about whether or not she used regular Juvederm or ultra plus (honestly, I don't remember), so thanks again for mentioning that. I'm really hesitant about using Perlane, though. (If I recall, it's derived from pigs, right?) Would you know if fat distribution surgery (is that the term?) would be a better/cheaper route? Or even implants (like cheek/lip)? I asked my doc about the fat surgery, and she discouraged me from that without a real explanation.
Scottsdale1247 (RealFriend) 2 Aug 2012

The lips last the shortest amount of time bc you are moving them so much.  I have been using Perlane for over a year and prefer it (rarely bruise, volume lasts longer, less initial swelling, almost always rebates for it).  Its made from non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid gel.  Fat transer is still an iffy subject bc the unpredictable longevity and how your body stabilizes it.  

 If you go to a facial specialist they will have more confidence in it from having done it more often.  Also it is always good to get more than one expert opinion.  The good thing with fillers versus implants is that if you don't like your results, you can easily add to it or get it absorbed (drs have stuff they can inject to absorb the filler).  Fillers are less costly as you do them consistently in the long run.  They encourage your body to produce a little more collagen as well from what i've heard.  Good luck, let me know how it goes, what ever you choose to do...
zumabeach 16 May 2012

If you didn't know who Georgia May Jaggers father was, I am sure the public would blame her beautiful pout on injections. Looks like daddy's mouth when younger. We all get older and Mick and Jerry Hall do not believe in
anti aging fillers or surgery. Just grow old...what is wrongvwith that? They have the money but do not nip tuck or inject. And people maje fun if him. It is sad. Beautiful offspring.

Scottsdale1247 (RealFriend) 10 Jul 2012

There is nothing wrong with growing old...I am just doing it looking good:)  and maybe more gracefully than if I didn't have a little help from botox and fillers.  There is also nothing wrong with enhancing what you have (btw they arent permanant, just subtle things to help feel you look your best)  It is sad if ppl forget they are for enhancing and over use them to completely change their face and it turns out bad but those instances are not as common as you think.  You prob see many enhanced faces everyday-walking down the street, at the store, at your workplace-and you wouldn't even know it bc the majority of ppl use it properly as a subtle enhancer so you don't know unless they tell you they did it!  It's not our place to judge really...don't you think? 
Elizabethhhh 11 Jul 2012
I wanted to use it as a subtle enhancement, but it did change my face. It changed the shape of my face and left me with lumps under my eyes and it was my first time ever getting a filler. I now wear glasses and hope the lumps fade. I went to a board certified reputable surgeon, but I still ended up looking different and not for the better. Friends ask if I'm ill. I do believe it was the injector and not necessarily the juvaderm. If he had used only 1/3 to 1/4 the amount he actually used I may have been happy with the results. I got .5cc under the eyes, but for me it was too much. I hope that if someone goes in for fillers that they insist the doctor use a very small amount until they know how their bodies respond to filler. Like you said, everyone is different and for some people a tiny amount is all they need. If you are injected with too much you have the difficult decision of waiting it out or possibly causing more damage from hyluronidase. I do believe I have some permanent damage to my face, so please do your homework before having any kind of fillers and go into the doctors office with an idea of how much product you think you need. After all, it's you and not the doctor that has to live with the results.Just because a doctor is a good surgeon doesn't mean he is good with fillers. Be sure to ask to see before and after pictures.
Scottsdale1247 (RealFriend) 2 Aug 2012

I agree to do your homework.  The filler in the under eye area i am not a huge fan of. Some ppl love it and some hate it.  the problem with that area is that the skin is so thin and there isn't much tissue between that delicate skin and your bone so ppl get lumpiness, blue-ish hue, and other undesirable effects.  It does help to seek out a facial specialist (doesnt do body work) if you have specialized delicate areas like under eye or nose bridge (see my Perlane review, my nose before and after is amazing just from a tiny bit of filler in my bridge!).  Hope everything works out for you, so sorry you had a  bad experience, but in the right hands, you CAN have results you will be happy with!  Best wishes:)
megan faye 20 Apr 2012
Hi
Ive read all these comments and have been to see a skin clinic today and still come away feeling unsure..
i reaaaalllly dont want to have this unnatural chemical in my face but ive turned 33 this year, had 2 years of 24 hour stress with ex partner cheating then my dad died, and up till last month i didnt notice how bad the nasal labial folds got... im really chilled now and happy but i look 10 years older than i did a few months ago.. and exhausted permanantly... if i lift up my cheekbones the folds go... the nurse said today i dont need botox and im sufferieng with acne and dehydration also.. she said i had to treat the surface of skin first but its depressing me so much that ive aged so fast in a few months! all i want is a pick me up and i know its not going to be thru a natuaral way.. i know i probably just need a bit of filler but im so scared of it looking fake and puffy and having a fat face.. i hate my nose too and when cheeks were fuller my nose looked smaller... pleeeeasssse can someone help and give me the realy bad side and good side and also will it look deflated and more sunken if i decide to not have it any more...

Please help much apprecaited xx
Megan P (Community Manager) 22 Apr 2012

It really is amazing the toll stress can take on the aging process, isn't it? Been there...

I am at a very similar stage with considering fillers, but haven't yet done them. I'm freaked out a bit by them too, but it seems the most important thing is to go a highly skilled doctor, such as a board certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist. I'm personally finding I am most comfortable going to a facial plastic surgeon, and I think that is who I will eventually have do my first fillers, but I hear you, its a scary step to take.

Make sure you research out your doctor thoroughly and don't go through with it until you are 100% sure it is what you want to try.

Scottsdale1247 (RealFriend) 22 Apr 2012

The fake puffy look is really on women that go excessively over a period of time, I have rarely seen that look on someone new to the enhancement.  That being said, it may be the little pick me up u need, I know it perks me up having it bc wrinkles are softened and lips are slightly pouty in good way.  Prolonged use of filler tends to help u build some collagen and it last longer as u use it, your body processes it slow,so u will never look deflated, you may feel that way after seeing yourself plumped up though in comparison.  I get filler in the bridge of my nose (see Perlane review pics) and its amazing.  Go to a specialist though bc the nose is less commonly done.  Also, some drs may let u "bank" partial syringes so you don't have to use the whole thing at once which could be overwelming to a first timer.  good luck, let us know how it goes!
Scottsdale1247 (RealFriend) 22 Apr 2012

It's not as scary as it seems, all you hear is bad stories.  Once you get some, u will be hooked!  Starting with Juvederm or Restylane with the smaller particles meant for finer lines is a good start for a first timer.  The thicker Perlane and Juve Ultra plus is meant for deeper folds like in nasal folds but I've eventually jjust started preferring mostly Perlane.  You may just have to try both (at different times of course lol) and see what works for you, how they affect you, as everyones bodys react uniquely to fillers. I have seen places sell half syringes of Juvederm if you are really hesitant but it is much more expensive that way. Keep in mind you are swollen for a bit so don't freak, takes time to see settled result.
Elizabethhhh 27 May 2012
I read your post in which you said the fillers last only a few months for you. Is that also true about the filler under your eyes? I received juvaderm under my eyes and I hate it. It has been about 11 weeks, but it seems like it is already going down. Sometimes I think maybe this is just wishful thinking because most people on here say it lasts at least 9 months. I thought about reversing my juvaderm, but if I absorb it quickly I would rather not. I am thin have a high metabolism and excercise every day so since I don't like my results I really hope I absorb it FAST. I think I would have liked it if it would have been much more conservative, but after my experience I never want to do it again. I will stick with just anti aging lotions from now on.
Scottsdale1247 (RealFriend) 2 Feb 2013
Juve is tricky in the undereyes.  I hope it ended up smoothing out for you.  What about it didn't you like?  There's something they call the Tyndall effect that gives a blue-ish hue in fillers in that area.  Also, if it wasn't injected the way you need it, you stand the chance of seeing lumps since that skin is so thin.     There is a filler called belotero you may want to ask about.  It is good for fine lines and superficial injections especially in the tear trough areas.  It is processed slightly different than its other hyaluronic filler competitors and supposedly you don't have to worry as much about the lumps and the appearance of discoloration.  The dr will have to mix in lidocaine though for your comfort.  Hope this helps!
Elizabethhhh 2 Feb 2013
My eyes are still a little lumpy, but I think it's more noticeable to me than others. He put more in the right side by my cheek and more in the left side by my nose so I still am a bit uneven even after 11 months, but not noticeable enough to do anything about it. I still wear my glasses a lot though. It has smoothed out some over time and I had such a bad experience I do not want to do anything else again. I'm eating healthier and trying retinol and that is the extent of my anti aging treatments for now. I probably would have a different outlook if my first experience turned out favorable, but I can't stand looking fake and my Dr. had me so puffed up I did look fake, but over time that part is better and I look more natural now and I want to keep it that way. Thanks for your reply and I think it's good advice if I ever decide on treatments in the distant future.
SallyAnne 20 Mar 2012
Scottsdale: You sound a lot like me! I like to get the little touch-ups so no one will notice when they deflate a bit. I want it to always look natural and not come in, six months later for a big old shot of product. THAT looks bad, I think. I get half to one fourth vials as well. But this last one was too much, I think. I DO know it'll settle down in a month and I AM going to wait about six months to see the changes. But I'm also going to listen to your kind words -- screw the haters! If certain older, classic actresses were around when resty and juvie was around, would people accuse the beautiful lips of Brigitte Bardot or Sophia Loren or Elizabeth Taylor or Marilyn Monroe of having injections?! Probably, and they looked gorgeous. And you've got the full Bardot lips down gorgeously! Lucky you!

BTW -- I'm also the same way with my hair! When it starts looking too rooty, gotta get that touched up!

Thanks for the support. You're a valuable member on here. You have such a good view on all this. You've made me feel a lot better today:)
Scottsdale1247 (RealFriend) 2 Aug 2012

Hey Sally anne, hope things are well with you, I am so glad I could make you see the light of fillers and not be hard on yourself.  That makes me so happy to have made you feel better with just a little support:)    You are never alone-its starting to seem that the "judgers' are starting to be outnumbered (and its only bc there lack of knowledge mostly, not bc they want to sound mean)
SallyAnne 17 Mar 2012
Scottsdale: Thanks so much for this post. I am much like you. I get touch ups every three months, and I don't need much, less than half a syringe each time, but it stresses me out so much AFTER. Always. It's always too puffy, and for me, usually for an entire month. It's weird. I usually get to three months, and think they look pretty damn great, maybe just a wee bit smaller, and then I get insecure that the will deflate more and more and I get a tiny touch up... I travel a lot and I only like my one doctor in LA, so I worry that when I'm out of the country, I'll be stuck with deflated lips! He always tells me to wait a little longer because he knows I hate the after-puffiness, but I stress that if he doesn't do it, I might resort to someone else who is not as good. Ugh.

Anyway, just got them done the with juvederm ultra two days ago and, yep... I think they look too big. I know in a month, I'll be fine, but... I guess I know the answer to my question. I don't need to get them filled every three months, more like every four or five... and I should travel less... (that's hard because I have to work in other places for three months at a time usually... ah, work!)

Reading you, maybe I should work out more when I feel like this!

But seriously, do you ever wonder if you're a little addicted and stressing too much over it? You sound like you have a really healthy attitude, which I admire, but I'm really sensitive about all of this and fearful of looking unnatural. You appear to have naturally gorgeous lips so your fillers are probably never noticeable to others. You have a good doctor.

Thanks for keeping up on your injections. It reminds us that we are all different in terms of how long this stuff lasts. And that yes, it is a continual touch up process if you want them to look natural. But that can be very tricky too. I agree with another commenter on here who thinks through time, your collagen kicks in, and you need to do them less and less. I've been getting touch ups for two years, and I'm noticing overfill too often the past year. I'm going to take a six month break, just to see what happens.

Thanks again. Again, you have a really good attitude, which is helpful to us who get a little down about these things we do to make us feel prettier!

Welcome Back

Sign in with Facebook

Your information remains private and will not be posted without your permission.

Forgot your password?

Don't have an account? Create one now.

Join RealSelf

Join with Facebook

Your information remains private and will not be posted without your permission.

Please enter a valid email address
 Did you mean ?

By creating an account, you are indicating that you have read and accept the RealSelf Terms of Use.

Already a member? Sign In.

Retrieve your password

Enter your username or email address and we will send you a link to login.

Check your email

Check your email. We've sent you a link to reset your password.

Ok