Skinvive by Juvéderm
Conveniently located to serve the areas of Pittsburgh, PA
Skinvive is an injectable treatment by Juvéderm that revitalizes the cheeks with increased hydration, promoting a glowy, radiant complexion. Like other Juvéderm products, Skinvive’s main ingredient is hyaluronic acid, a lubricating substance that attracts and binds to water molecules. Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in the human body, providing lubrication between the joints, in the eyes, and within the skin’s dermis. Unlike fillers, however, Skinvive is not designed to add volume to the face. Instead, this injectable gel refreshes the skin for several months after the initial treatment.
If you feel that Skinvive may be the perfect treatment to highlight your natural beauty with your skin health in mind, schedule your consultation at Beleza Plastic Surgery. Our experienced and talented medical providers can guide you through the exact science of how Skinvive can work to improve skin tone, evenness, and overall smoothness. To get started today, call us at (724) 759-7777 (Sewickley, PA) or (412) 877-9388 (Pittsburgh, PA) or use our contact form, and a member of our staff will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible.
Before and After Photos
Contents
The Skinvive Difference
The hyaluronic acid in Skinvive works best on patients with minor fine lines and restores skin health with increased moisture. As a totally biocompatible substance, hyaluronic acid is an organic compound that can hold up to 10,000 times its own weight in water due to its molecular structure and neutral pH. (1) It is a main component in many FDA-approved dermal fillers such as Juvéderm Volux and Restylane.
While hyaluronic acid is most often associated with facial contouring and anti-aging, Skinvive’s unique formulation is designed to help you save on rejuvenating skin care products- it has proven effects up to 6 months post-treatment. Many patients find Skinvive treatments to be highly tolerable since the gel implant contains lidocaine, significantly diminishing discomfort. At Beleza, our providers use a topical numbing anesthetic to minimize discomfort during treatment.
Skinvive is specifically designated for the cheek area, a part of the face that tends to suffer most from dryness. The cheeks are just outside of the “T-zone”, the forehead, nose, and chin areas that produce the most oil. In contrast, the cheeks are more vulnerable to sun damage, harsher exfoliants and soaps, and cold weather.
Skinvive treatments enter the dermis layer of the skin, the layer with the most connective fibers that provide the skin with a youthful balance of elasticity, recoil, and rigidity. The injected hyaluronic acid directly binds to these fibers – like collagen and elastin – and also enters the extracellular matrix (ECM), the space in between the skin cells themselves.(2) The ECM houses an abundance of minerals and proteins that facilitate skin healing when wounds occur. The increased amount of hyaluronic acid in the dermis itself causes an inflammatory reaction that results in more fibroblast cells. The cells create the collagen and elastin fibers, so any increase in these cells results in the production of more connective fibers and more noticeable differences with time. The goal of Skinvive treatments is to improve skin brightness and luminosity.
Skinvive vs. Neuromodulators
Although Skinvive can reduce minor signs of aging with the power of hyaluronic acid, it cannot necessarily treat or prevent more significant wrinkles that have formed. Neuromodulators like Botox, Daxxify, and Jeuveau target one of the root causes of wrinkles: dynamic movement. When the botulinum toxin in these injections enters a facial muscle, it relaxes and the overlying skin relaxes as well. Without the presence of dynamic wrinkles, they can’t become static wrinkles, serving as an aging prevention tool. Our nurse injectors administer Skinvive and other dermal fillers superficially into the skin, not the muscle.
Who is the Ideal Candidate for Skinvive?
Skinvive is incredibly safe for almost all people over the age of 21 who are looking to rejuvenate their skin in a subtle manner with deep, long-lasting moisturization. However, the treatment will not suit everyone. Those who are allergic to lidocaine or have experienced an allergic reaction to a dermal filler should refrain from getting Skinvive treatment. People with open, active lesions, and skin infections should seek treatment for their condition before this cosmetic enhancement. Finally, if you have ever had a virus outbreak in the treated area, inform your provider and your nurse injector will be sure to prescribe you an antiviral medication.
Personal Consultation
At your personal Beleza consultation with a medical provider, you will get to discuss your cosmetic goals and what you expect to get out of your treatment. Your injector will assess your skin and provide you with an overview of other available options that may be more aligned with your needs. They will take the time to ensure you understand how to extend your results with valuable skincare tips tailored to your unique concerns and skin type.
If you are ready to take the next step, call our location in Sewickley, PA at (724) 759-7777 or our office in Pittsburgh, PA at (412) 877-9388. You can also reach us online, and one of our staff members will gladly sign you up for a consultation at your earliest convenience. If you’d like to inform yourself of the other procedures at our practices, please browse through our blog.
Preparation
Compared to other injection and minimally invasive procedures, Skinvive treatments are fairly simple. In preparation for Skinvive, you should speak to your nurse injector about when to stop taking blood thinning medications. Non-prescribed blood-thinners, like Vitamin E and Green Tea, should be discontinued two weeks prior to injection. Your Beleza medical provider will review your current prescriptions and any over-the-counter medications to ensure you avoid certain substances that can cause bruising or swelling. If you smoke regularly, we recommend quitting for at least a few weeks to restore proper circulation throughout your body and skin, speeding up recovery and enhancing overall results.
Procedure Steps
Skinvive treatments take less than thirty minutes. Firstly, your injector will thoroughly cleanse your cheeks to mitigate the risk of a skin infection. Next, they will mark out the approximate injection locations, taking note to space each one out for comprehensive distribution. Finally, they will begin the Skinvive injections, making sure to replace the needle frequently to prevent the discomfort of a dull needle. Our injectors are trained to administer the medication superficially into the dermis at a 45-degree angle to prevent it from entering under the deeper skin layers. Your nurse will gently massage the area to spread it evenly. Once they finish your session, they will apply a serum that will work to reduce any inflammation or redness present.
What to Expect After Your Skinvive Treatment
It’s normal to experience a range of mild symptoms that include irritation, firmness, itchiness, redness, and swelling, but these side effects are temporary and will likely completely subside within a day or two. For the day of your treatment and the following day, you should refrain from working out, sweating, alcohol, and exposure to UV rays to allow the hyaluronic acid to begin taking effect. Within 7 days, you will start to notice the initial improvements in your overall skin quality. These improvements include a reduction in minor blemishes, redness, and textural irregularities. Many patients describe that their skin exhibits a soft glow.
Since hyaluronic acid is already produced by mesenchymal cells and other types of cells in the skin, most patients don’t have any negative reactions to Skinvive. (3) The increased amount of hyaluronic acid will maintain results for about 6 to 9 months. The overall longevity of one treatment session of Skinvive will depend on your individual metabolism and certain lifestyle habits. Your nurse injector will give you recommendations for maintaining the health of your skin. One of the most important steps is to use a daily, broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least 30 SPF. Regular sunscreen use will enhance the results of anti-aging treatments done at Beleza as well as improve overall skin health.
Cost of Skinvive in Pittsburgh
The cost of your Skinvive injections will depend on how many syringes of the medication your injector will administer, your skincare goals, and your long-term treatment plan at Beleza Plastic Surgery. During your consultation, your provider will make sure to outline the factors involved and the total cost to allow you to make an educated decision. If you are hesitant to invest in such a treatment, feel free to contact us regarding our financing options through CareCredit, and a patient coordinator will assist you.
If you have been waiting to feel more confident in your skin, contact Beleza Plastic Surgery at (724) 759-7777 for our Sewickley, PA location or (412) 877-9388 for our office in Pittsburgh, PA. You can also get in touch by filling out our online form, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
FAQ
Is Skinvive FDA-approved?
Skinvive was FDA-approved in May 2023, making it one of the latest skin rejuvenation treatments available.
Is Skinvive considered a dermal filler?
Skinvive is not considered a filler because it does not create tissue volumizing effects in the same way other Juvéderm fillers can. Clinicians often refer to it as a microdroplet injection treatment since the thin hyaluronic acid is more water-like in consistency.
How often can I get Skinvive?
Although Skinvive can produce results for up to 9 months, you can get a touch-up after just 6 months.
Is Skinvive a moisturizer?
Skinvive has hyaluronic acid, which is an ingredient found in many moisturizers. Since it is injected directly into the dermis, it provides longer-lasting moisturization than a topical cream would. After receiving Skinvive, you may find that you don’t need to moisturize your face as often, although we do not recommend neglecting your skincare routine.
References
- Marinho A, Nunes C, Reis S. Hyaluronic Acid: A Key Ingredient in the Therapy of Inflammation. Biomolecules. 2021;11(10):1518. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/biom11101518
- Brandt FS, Cazzaniga A. Hyaluronic acid gel fillers in the management of facial aging. Clin Interv Aging. 2008;3(1):153-159. doi:10.2147/cia.s2135
- Papakonstantinou E, Roth M, Karakiulakis G. Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging. Dermato-Endocrinology. 2012;4(3):253-258. doi:https://doi.org/10.4161/derm.21923