The Amazing Juvéderm™ SkinVive Injectable Treatment
Article Dr. Janna Bentley, Medical Director, Lakeshore Vein & Aesthetics Clinic
We are all amazing creations, and as a medical doctor, I am still fascinated by the beautiful and complex design of the human body. Over time, however, our bodies change – and most notably, our faces.
For some, aging brings lovely “laugh lines” and character – both pleasant and natural (and lucky genes). For many, however, aging appears in the face as signs of sad, angry or tired – negative attributes that we don’t want to convey to others (or see in the mirror).
Just like going to the gym for our body, sometimes our facial skin needs a bootcamp workout to rejuvenate it. This helps our face to convey our (hopefully) inner content, calm and vitality.
Excitingly, an innovative new option is SkinVive – the first of its kind to combine tone, texture and fine-wrinkle therapy in a long-lasting injectable treatment. SkinVive uses Vycross technology and Hyaluronic Acid (HA) gel designed to improve our skin’s smoothness (absence of fine lines), hydration and elasticity for up to nine months with just one treatment.
A few years ago we received some of the first SkinVive in Canada, initially called Volite. After learning about its design properties, I had one of my experienced injector nurses treat me. I loved it. I’ve noticed a real difference in the hydration of my skin, especially in the neck area.
I strongly feel it is a game changer (and I don’t say that often) but here is why: almost all skin care products don’t get through our skin. It’s an incredible protective barrier – so even great quality skin care like Vivier or SkinMedica has limits.
In addition, there is climate: living in the dry Okanagan (winter or summer), people often are challenged to keep their skin hydrated – more so if you’re getting extra sun and wind skiing at Big White. The main option used is to apply more moisturizer. Some patients now say “I used to apply moisturizer halfway through the day again, but since having SkinVive I don’t need to.”
What to expect
After a topical anesthetic is be applied, an expert injector uses a very fine needle to inject SkinVive within the dermis, and most patients barely notice any discomfort. It is a 15 to 20-minute treatment (depending on the areas treated). SkinVive is designed for use on the face, neck, décolletage and hands. After treatment, there is typically some redness that goes away within 30 to 90 minutes. Results start to appear immediately and come fully into effect over the next 10 days. I consider it a very safe treatment, but talk to an expert nurse or doctor for details. Expect to pay around $750 for one facial area with SkinVive treatment by a certified nurse or doctor, though it varies patient to patient, clinic to clinic.
SkinVive is not a magic bullet, of course. To reverse serious aging effects we typically use Botox and Juvederm for a foundation, and we recommend SkinVive as a complement to any good anti-aging regime.
Consider Volite primarily as an effective treatment per year “freshen up” for dry and tired-looking skin – and definitely a better investment than any hydrating facial, which might feel relaxing but doesn’t have such long-lasting benefits.
I am really pleased with the healthy and natural-looking results in patients and my own SkinVive treatment. Patients feel their complexion has more of a glow… Maybe it’s your time to SkinVive!
Article Dr. Janna Bentley, Medical Director, Lakeshore Vein & Aesthetics Clinic
