Where or what does Juvederm come from?

Juvederm is a filler that will soften fine lines and wrinkles. It is made of Hyaluronic acid (HA). HA is a natural occuring component of your skin. 40% of your Dermis (the deep layer) is made from HA and the remainder is made from collagen.

HA can be derived from other animals (roosters, pigs) but these forms of HA have unique proteins that can make them more susceptible to an allergic reaction. Juvederm is made from a synthetic process using bacteria.

The bacteria are completely removed at the end of the process and their is no residual protein to cause the allergic reaction. Juvederm is treated by cross-linking. This process allows it to last longer than competing products.

Overall, I give Juvederm an A!

Juvederm is a dermal filler which is made of non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid. Because hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the body, no prior allergy test is needed. The product is injected into (or below the dermis) to provide desired augmentation.

Thanks for your question! Dr. Stephen Goldstein

Juvederm is a syntetic hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a sugar-water molecule that makes up the normal skin’s infrastructure, cushioning the collagen and providing support.

Juvederm Ultra and Ultra Plus are non-animal derived hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers. Juvederm is produced from bacterial fermentation. Hyaluronic acid is identical across species, so no HA  filler requires skin testing for allergy. Juvederm results last up to one year, as the filler is gradually broken down by your body. While FDA approved for filling lines around the mouth, it is often used "off-label" for lip enhancement, cheek lifting, and sunken areas under the eyes. Besides being versatile, Juvederm can be dissovled with an enzyme if the patient does not like the result.

Juvederm is marketed in the US by Allergan. It is manufactured in France and is derived from Streptococcus bacteria. It is then highly purified. It is not derived in any way from cadaver or animal sources.

Its main component is cross-linked hyaluronic acid and is molecularly identical to the hyaluronic acid found naturally in the human body. This is the reason why allergic reactions are very rare, and why its effect is so long lived.