Skinvive by Juvéderm: What You Need to Know
Pros & cons
How much it costs
How it works
How long healing takes
How long results last
Risks to consider
Fast facts
Skinvive is a thin, hyaluronic-acid gel that’s injected into the superficial layers of skin to boost skin hydration, minimize fine lines, and leave skin looking refreshed and radiant.
Manufactured by Allergan Aesthetics (the makers of Botox and the Juvéderm Collection of fillers), Skinvive is FDA approved to add subtle definition, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and “improve the smoothness of the cheeks.” It began rolling out in dermatologists’ and plastic surgeons’ offices in the U.S. in fall 2023.
SkinVive has a lower G prime (a measure of how thick and cohesive a filler is) than other dermal fillers, so it spreads more easily, according to a 2023 study in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal.
Once injected, the hyaluronic acid disperses evenly throughout the upper layers of your skin to improve overall skin quality, boost hydration, and create a lasting glow.
While traditional hyaluronic acid fillers are injected into the skin’s dermal layer to add volume and contour, the most noticeable benefits of Skinvive are in the overall skin quality and radiance. Because of this, it belongs to a new category of injectables called skin boosters. (Profhilo, widely used in Europe but still awaiting FDA approval, also falls into this category.)
Some providers characterize this innovative injectable as an especially long-lasting form of medical-grade skin care. “It’s almost like an injectable moisturizer,” says Dr. Anna Avaliani, a board-certified physician in New York City. “In the clinical study, patients treated with Skinvive reported higher satisfaction with how glowing, hydrated, refreshed, and healthy their skin looked,” she says. In fact, nearly 63% of patients in the trial reported that their facial skin still looked more radiant six months post-treatment.
A 2022 study found that three months after the initial treatment, skin treated with Skinvive had greater levels of a protein called aquaporin 3, a key marker of skin hydration. The same paper also reported significant improvements in skin texture and elasticity.
Although Skinvive is FDA approved specifically to treat the cheeks, some experienced providers are using it off-label on the neck, décolletage, and other body areas.
RealSelf Tip: Deciding between getting Skinvive versus Sculptra? They do two very different things. While Skinvive offers superficial hydration, Sculptra is a biostimulatory filler that kickstarts your skin’s collagen production, to firm and smooth it over time. Dr. Avaliani recommends considering the area of your concern, as well as how long you’re willing to wait for results. Sculptra is often used to smooth deep wrinkles and restore volume, but it can take four to six to see the the full effects.
Pros
- Skinvive has been shown to improve skin texture, radiance, and smoothness for up to six months.
- It can be especially helpful for addressing concerns like dry skin and fine lines.
- You’ll see some immediate results that improve over the course of a few weeks.
- The hyaluronic acid is almost identical to the substance that’s naturally found in skin, so there's little to no risk of an allergic reaction.
- This treatment is safe for all skin tones and types.
- There’s no risk of creating an overfilled look.
Cons
- A touch-up after one month might be necessary to achieve your desired results.
- Because this treatment involves a series of microdroplet injections, it takes a bit longer than you may be used to with injectable fillers: 30 minutes or more.
- There’s also a greater chance of bruising than there is with filler.
- The injection sites can look bumpy for up to 24 hours.
- Any volume this filler adds will be subtle, so realistic expectations are important.
Skinvive treatment costs range from $650 to $750 for two syringes, according to Allergan. “The average number of syringes in clinical trials used to treat both cheeks was two syringes,” notes Dr. Avaliani.
The price you pay will depend on your provider’s credentials, their location, and how many syringes they use to achieve your desired results.
Here’s what to expect during your appointment.
- Skinvive contains 0.3% lidocaine to help reduce discomfort, but your injector may still begin by applying a topical numbing cream to the treatment area and wait 15 to 20 minutes for your skin to become numb.
- They will clean and prep the treatment area, to reduce risk of infection.
- Your provider will then inject Skinvive in a grid-like pattern, using a tiny needle and a microdroplet injection technique. “It’s superficial, not deep at all, and doesn’t hurt,” says Dr. Avaliani.
Once they’re done, you’re free to go about your day.
A single treatment may satisfy some, but 73% of participants in the clinical study opted to get a touch-up treatment one month after their initial injection.
There’s little to no downtime, although you should take the same precautions as you would following any other injectable, says Dr. Avaliani. For instance, immediately after the procedure, “avoid touching your face with unwashed hands, and don’t wear makeup for two hours,” she says.
Also avoid strenuous exercise, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and alcohol for 24 hours after your treatment. And stay away from steam rooms and saunas for two to three days.
Skinvive results last up to 6 months, although some participants in the study did opt for an additional touch-up after one month.
In clinical trials, Skinvive was deemed safe for use in all Fitzpatrick Skin Types.
The microdroplet injection technique requires a series of pricks in the skin. Between that and the superficial nature of the injections (just below the skin’s surface), skin can look a little bumpy for about a day until the product settles, says Dr. Avaliani.
Other potential side effects include temporary swelling, bruising, redness, and pain at the injection site. As with any injectable, there’s also a small risk of infection.
There seems to be a greater chance of bruising with Skinvive versus traditional fillers. “The greater the number of injections, the higher the possibility of bruising the skin,” Dr. Avaliani explains. That risk is minimized in the hands of a skilled, experienced injector, but if it happens to you, here’s how to handle injectable bruises.
Updated February 15, 2024