What is it?

JUVÉDERM® Ultra XC injectable gel is a colorless hyaluronic acid gel that contains a small quantity of local anesthetic (lidocaine) and is injected into facial tissue to smooth wrinkles and folds, especially around the nose and mouth. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring sugar found in the human body. The role of hyaluronic acid in the skin is to deliver nutrients, hydrate the skin by holding in water, and to act as a cushioning agent. The role of lidocaine is to reduce the pain associated with injections into the skin.

What does it do?

JUVÉDERM® Ultra XC temporarily adds volume to facial tissue and restores a smoother appearance to the face. The lidocaine in the gel improves the comfort of the injection.

How is it used?

JUVÉDERM® Ultra XC is injected into areas of facial tissue where moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds occur. It temporarily adds volume to the skin and may give the appearance of a smoother surface.

What will it accomplish?

JUVÉDERM® Ultra XC injectable gel will help to smooth moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds. Most patients need 1 treatment to achieve optimal wrinkle smoothing, and the results last about 9 months to 1 year.

What are possible side effects?

Most side effects are mild or moderate in nature, and their duration is short lasting (7 days or less). The most common side effects include, but are not limited to, temporary injection-site reactions such as: redness, pain/tenderness, firmness, swelling, lumps/bumps, bruising, itching, and discoloration. As with all skin-injection procedures, there is a risk of infection.

Are there any reasons why I should not receive JUVÉDERM® Ultra XC (contraindications)?

Your physician will ask about your medical history to determine if you are an appropriate candidate for treatment. The product should not be used in patients who have:

 • Severe allergies marked by a history of anaphylaxis or history or presence of multiple severe allergies

 • A history of allergies to lidocaine or Gram-positive bacterial proteins

What should my physician warn me about?

The safety and effectiveness for the treatment of areas other than facial wrinkles and folds (such as lips) have not been established in controlled clinical studies.

What precautions should my physician advise me about?

The following are important treatment considerations for you to discuss with your physician and understand in order to help avoid unsatisfactory results and complications.

 • Patients who are using substances that can prolong bleeding, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, as with any injection, may experience increased bruising or bleeding at injection site. You should inform your physician before treatment if you are using these types of substances

 • If laser treatment, chemical peeling, or any other procedure based on active dermal response is considered after treatment with JUVÉDERM® Ultra XC, there is a possible risk of an inflammatory reaction at the treatment site

 • JUVÉDERM® Ultra XC injectable gel should be used with caution in patients on immunosuppressive therapy, or therapy used to decrease the body’s immune response, as there may be an increased risk of infection

 • The safety for use during pregnancy, in breast-feeding females, or in patients under 18 years has not been established

 • The safety in patients with a history of excessive scarring (eg, hypertrophic scarring and keloid formations) and pigmentation disorders has not been studied

Do the injections hurt?

Some discomfort may occur during and after the injection. JUVÉDERM® Ultra XC injectable gel contains an anesthetic to reduce injection-site pain. Physicians may choose to numb (anesthetize) the treatment area with a cream placed directly on the injection site (topical) to further minimize discomfort.

What should I expect following the procedure?

Your physician will tell you what to expect following treatment with JUVÉDERM® Ultra XC. Within the first 24 hours, you should avoid strenuous exercise, extensive sun or heat exposure, and alcoholic beverages. Exposure to any of the above may cause temporary redness, swelling, and/or itching at the injection sites. If there is swelling, you may need to place an ice pack over the swollen area. You should ask your physician when makeup may be applied after your treatment.

Does the correction last forever?

No. Correction is temporary; therefore, touch-up injections as well as repeat injections are usually needed to maintain optimal correction. Less material (about half the amount) is usually needed for repeat injections.

What other treatments are available to me?

There are a variety of dermal fillers available in the United States that may be used for treatment. Aside from these, additional options for the correction of lines and wrinkles do exist, including facial creams, BOTOX® Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA), chemical peels, and laser skin surface treatments. You may discuss these treatments with your physician.