Water Absorption in Juvederm

Once the Juvederm is injected, it draws water molecules from the surrounding area for the first day or two.  This is why some report that they see a bigger difference a few days after the injections.  This is not from the water that you splash on your face, but from the inernal tissues.  It generally does not make people really swell in those areas, but just augments the result a little bit in the first few days.  I hope this helps.

Our dermis, under the epidermis, contains collagen and water, as well as other structures and products. 
The ground substance is a fluid-like material that buffers the tissue between the collagen fibers.  It is a mucopolysaccharide hyaluronic acid.  Juvederm and Restylane are hyaluronic acids. When the fillers are injected, the molecules bind neighboring water molecules, that are preexisting,

Juvederm is hyaluronic acid, a remarkable natural product that holds water.  It is a bit like a sponge.  The water comes from the normal water in your tissues and is responsible Juvederm holding its shape for so long.  Think of it as jello, soft and pliable.  Good stuff!

Juvederm breask down by a process that absorbs water from the local tissues. This probably adds to the longevity of the product.

Yes it absorbs tissue fluids, primarily water, from the cells in the areas injected. You either mis understood the doctor or he did not make it clear enough for you the understand the physiologic action of HA fillers.

Regarding: "Water Absorption in Juvederm
My surgeon has mentioned that Juvederm "absorbs water" post injection into the face. What does this mean exactly. Is this water that's splashed on the face, or from consumption?"

Juvederm and Restylane are Hyaluronic acid wrinkle smoothers which in their basic form are made by and found in our body especially in joints and the eye ball. The reason why they work for a long time is that even as they slowly break down the molecule attracts and attaches to water in our tissues which enlarges the size of the molecule allowing it to serve as a natural tissue cushion and support. The water is the one found IN our tissues NOT the one touching our skin.

Dr. Peter Aldea

The simplest way I can explain how Juvederm and its fellow members in the hyaluronic acid work to you is as follows:

Hyaluronic acids are water-loving molecules. This means that they draw water to themselves. When injected as a dermal filler, hyaluronic acids almost immediately draw water to themselves from the surrounding tissues around the injection site. After a few days, balance is restored and some of the dramatic swelling that is seen post-injection evens out.

It is this water-loving property that gives hyaluronic acids the benefit of hydrating the skin, giving it a more youthful, refreshed appearance.