Willo MediSpa » JUVÉDERM® Ultra XC & JUVÉDERM® Ultra Plus XC

JUVÉDERM^®Ultra XC & JUVÉDERM^®Ultra Plus XC

JUVÉDERM^® Ultra XC and JUVÉDERM^® Ultra Plus XC are the orginal hyaluronic acid dermal fillers manufactured by Allergan and are packaged as 1 ml prefilled syringes.  The XC refers to powdered 0.3% lidocaine added to the hyaluronic acid for a more comfortable injection experience.  JUVÉDERM^® Ultra XC and JUVÉDERM^® Ultra Plus XC are created using a process called Hylacross technology.  Genetically modified gram positive bacteria produce the hyaluronic acid molecules.  These molecules are then harvested from the bacteria and processed into high molecular weight linear strands that are then cross-linked to one another with BDDE (1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether).  The cross-linked linear strands form a matrix that water molecules attach to after the filler is injected.  For this reason, JUVÉDERM^® Ultra XC and JUVÉDERM^® Ultra Plus XC are considered hydrophylic.  As water molecules attach, a smoother correction to the treated area may become apparent over the next few days.

 JUVÉDERM^® Ultra XC is a good filler for smoothing areas where there is mild to moderate volume loss and a thinner skin.  I compare the viscosity of this dermal filler similar to a syrup. When injected, it forms a smooth layer under the skin that corrects the hollows and depressions created by mild to moderate volume loss.  Since it is hydrophylic, it draws in water molecules that help soften and hold the correction.   Areas on a woman’s face such as thinning lips, mild nasolabial folds, oral commissures, mild glabellar lines and mild marionette lines respond well to this product.   It is not a filler for a deep correction but rather one to add as a finishing layer for a full correction.  Depending on the area injected, an optimal treatment with JUVÉDERM^® Ultra XC may last up to a year.   JUVÉDERM^® Ultra XC  will break down naturally over time, but areas with more movement such as lips tend to lose their correction faster than areas with less movement.

JUVÉDERM^® Ultra Plus XC is a more viscous dermal filler that is designed to be used in areas with moderate to severe volume loss. It is created using the Hylacross technology, but the high molecular weight hyaluronic acid linear strands have more cross-linking than  JUVÉDERM^® Ultra XC. Because of the increased cross-linking, it is a thicker heavier dermal filler.  I compare the viscosity of this dermal filler similar to honey.  It is also hydrophylic and draws water molecules into the matrix.  It works well where more correction is needed and where the skin is thicker such as on a man’s face.  Deep nasolabial folds and deep marionette lines respond well to this filler.  JUVÉDERM^® Ultra Plus XC is a dermal filler that can used to build up an area of volume loss so that a lighter dermal filler such as JUVÉDERM^® Ultra XC can be layered on top to give a smoother full correction.  JUVÉDERM^® Ultra Plus XC will break down naturally, but an optimal treatment may last a year or longer.