Feeling like making a change in your skin, but not sure if traditional fillers are the play? People in this camp often feel constrained when it comes to aesthetic treatment options, but thanks to innovative injectables like SkinVive, this is no longer the case.
SkinVive by Juvéderm is a hyaluronic acid-based injectable treatment designed to improve skin quality. Our team at South Jersey Aesthetics offers this hyaluronic-acid-based injectable to a range of patients looking to enhance skin hydration for a naturally rejuvenated look.
In this overview of all things SkinVive, we’ll cover how this treatment smooths skin texture and enhances hydration, how it compares to popular alternatives, and more. Here are the key points you need to know to confidently decide on whether or not SkinVive may be right for you:
What Is SkinVive?
Purpose
SkinVive is used to enhance skin hydration, smoothness, and overall texture. It is not a traditional dermal filler but a skin booster. Rather than recontouring and/or volumizing certain areas of the face and neck, SkinVive is focused on improving the texture, appearance, and overall quality of the skin.
Patients looking for radiant, hydrated, and refreshed skin—whether they are new to injectables or simply prefer not to enhance facial volume—praise SkinVive for its subtle, yet noticeable results.
Composition
SkinVive is formulated with hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance in the body that retains moisture and adds volume. Hyaluronic acid is such a potent moisture retainer, in fact, that it can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water.
While this is the same ingredient that conventional dermal fillers, including those produced by the maker of SkinVive (Juvéderm) use to strategically add volume to targeted areas of the face and neck, one key difference in how SkinVive is formulated accounts for the absence of this plumping effect: crosslinking.
In short, crosslinking is the process by which molecules are tightly bound together, forming a stable, gel-like consistency in the case of hyaluronic acid. Both SkinVive and conventional dermal fillers typically contain crosslinked hyaluronic acid, but SkinVive is made with low-density crosslinking, which significantly increases its softness.
How Does It Work?
Mechanism
The treatment involves injecting microdroplets of hyaluronic acid into the skin. This helps to hydrate and improve the skin from within. As the hyaluronic acid draws and retains moisture, it restores that taut, yet flexible and plump appearance to the skin. In turn, this significantly softens fine lines.
Application Areas
Commonly treated areas include the face, neck, and hands, focusing on areas that need hydration and rejuvenation. The FDA initially approved SkinVive for use in the cheeks in 2023, which remains one of the most common areas this treatment is applied to today.
Other areas commonly treated with SkinVive include the decolletage, or the part of the chest often left exposed with lower-cut tops, which is a common target for dry skin and the many pitfalls that come with it.
Benefits
Considering the widespread impact that poor skin hydration has on a range of issues, it’s of little surprise that SkinVive treatment has an equally diverse range of benefits.
Enhance Skin Hydration: SkinVive treatment delivers deep and lasting hydration that improves the skin’s texture and elasticity. Even high-quality topical treatments are unable to provide as potent of a hydrating effect in as deep of a tissue layer.
Improve Smoothness: SkinVive softens fine lines and improves skin smoothness. As the hyaluronic acid draws in and retains moisture, it replenishes the skin’s moisture barrier. This both reduces the appearance of fine lines and provides enhanced protection against irritants.
Improve Radiance: This treatment enhances the natural glow of the skin in more ways than one. Well-hydrated skin cells are better able to reflect light, creating that more luminous appearance. Also, increasing moisture in an area facilitates the flushing out of toxic byproducts and other unwanted substances, further enhancing the clarity of your complexion.
Minimal Downtime: The procedure typically involves minimal downtime, making it convenient for patients. While each case is unique, most patients are able to resume their normal activities immediately or very soon after their session. More details on aftercare and post-treatment effects below.
Who Is a Good Candidate for SkinVive?
As SkinVive is a minimally invasive and well-tolerated treatment, the majority of patients aged 18 years or older and in reasonably good health should qualify. Medical eligibility for treatment will be determined by the practitioner in the initial consultation appointment.
Beyond medical considerations, the ideal SkinVive patient is looking for a solution to one or more of the following issues:
- Fine lines (especially those around the cheeks)
- Dull complexion
- Dry, rough skin texture
- Unsightly, oversized pores
Patients with deep wrinkles, excessive skin laxity, and moderate to severe skin complications affecting the area (cystic acne, active rosacea, inflammation, etc.) may not be suitable candidates for SkinVive.
Finally, it’s important that patients establish realistic expectations of what SkinVive is capable of. While SkinVive improves skin hydration, smooths skin texture, and boosts radiance, it is not as comprehensive as surgical procedures, such as the facelift.
Procedure
Consultation
As mentioned above, the first step in SkinVive treatment is to undergo a consultation. During the consultation, the practitioner will review several factors to ensure that you are eligible for this treatment, including allergies, skin condition (rashes or infections near the treatment area may affect your eligibility), overall health status, medication use, and more.
They will also assess your skin’s texture, hydration level, moisture, specific concerns (wrinkles and blemishes, etc.), and other details to determine whether or not SkinVive would be both a safe and effective option for you.
In many cases, if a patient is deemed eligible for SkinVive treatment, the treatment may be performed on the same day, or very soon after. In other cases, certain steps may need to take place (like ceasing use of a certain medication, etc.) prior to reporting back for the procedure itself.
Treatment
When it’s time for treatment, we will first make sure you are comfortable and ready to proceed. Then, the treatment area will be cleaned and prepped for the injection(s). SkinVive already contains lidocaine to decrease any potential discomfort, but topical numbing agents are available for those who prefer. Oftentimes, the area(s) to be treated is marked by the provider.
Then, it’s on to the injection itself. Typically, SkinVive treatment entails evenly distributing small amounts of the product, or microdroplets, throughout the treatment area, rather than using it all on just one or two injections.
Treatment sessions often involve a dozen or more injections made in a checkered pattern. The purpose of this technique is to ensure uniform distribution of the SkinVive formulation while minimizing the potential for a significant volume increase, creating a smooth and youthful appearance throughout the skin as the treatment enhances skin hydration.
After the injections have concluded, which typically takes between 15 and 30 minutes, you may be briefly monitored to ensure the skin responds appropriately to treatment. Then, you’ll be free to move on with your normal routine, and can report back for follow-ups as per your treatment plan.
Follow-Up Frequency
Results can be long-lasting, but maintenance treatments are typically recommended every 6 to 9 months.
Age, lifestyle, sun exposure, and several other individualized factors can impact how often follow-ups are required, how many total treatments are most effective, and other key treatment parameters. Our practitioners will provide tailored recommendations regarding your ideal session frequency.
Post-Treatment Effects and Aftercare
While SkinVive is a discrete and minimally invasive treatment that requires little to no full-on downtime, this doesn’t mean that there are no potential after-effects or aftercare requirements. It’s still important to know what to look for in terms of post-treatment effects, how to address them, and how to protect your skin for optimal results in the months following treatment.
Common post-treatment effects of SkinVive treatment include redness around the treatment area, some mild swelling, very small bumps around the area, tenderness, and/or bruising. In the majority of cases, these effects resolve themselves within a few hours to two or three days.
It’s important to always defer to your provider’s instructions when establishing an aftercare routine, as each case may involve special considerations and adjustments. That said, several commonly recommended practices following a SkinVive session include applying cold compresses as needed, using gentle skincare products (no retinoids or harsh exfoliants), staying well-hydrated, and keeping the face clean. Beyond the first day or two after your treatment, these practices can also preserve and prolong your results in the following months.
SkinVive FAQ
How quickly will I see results?
While you may notice more subtle differences in skin texture and quality immediately after your SkinVive treatment, full results are typically noticeable within 3-4 weeks of your latest session. They then maintain for around six months afterwards.
Can I wear makeup after SkinVive treatment?
Patients are generally advised to wait at least one to two full days before applying makeup. Applying makeup too early may irritate the injection sites, compromising their ability to heal and possibly causing an infection. Ask your provider if you have any other questions regarding the dos and don’ts of SkinVive post-treatment care.
What is the ideal age range for receiving SkinVive treatment?
Anyone who is over the age of 18, as long as they are medically qualified to receive SkinVive treatment, can benefit from the effects of SkinVive treatment, as there is no perfect age range. Patients of different ages can take advantage of this rejuvenating treatment in different ways. For example, patients in their 20s and 30s can use SkinVive more preventively, where patients in their 40s, 50s, and beyond can incorporate SkinVive into their anti-aging routines to reduce wrinkles and other signs of aging.
Can I combine SkinVive with other treatments?
Yes, SkinVive can be combined with a variety of other treatments depending on the concerns and areas you intend to treat. Some treatments commonly paired with SkinVive include Botox, conventional fillers, microneedling, and laser treatments. Pairing treatments often introduces new safety and efficacy implications, so it’s important to plan your combined approach with your provider to ensure success.