Skinvive: The New Injectable That Doubles As Skincare

For years, dermal fillers have been the go-to cosmetic procedure for people looking to slow down their aging skin. Our facial skin loses volume as we age, leading to sagging and more pronounced wrinkles. Dermal fillers are primarily formed of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring water-binding molecule that aids in deeply moisturizing the skin, filling in aging lines like marionette lines, or nasolabial folds to give the face a more defined look.

While dermal fillers are known for restoring facial volume when injected into targeted areas, not all of these products are intended to obtain similar results. Skinvive by Juvéderm as case in point. This filler treatment has been given FDA permission to be marketed in the United States and is the most recent addition to this class of anti-aging hyaluronic acid-based injectables. Unlike its traditional counterparts, Skinvive is not so much a temporary facial plumper as it is an intensive skincare treatment with long-term results. Skinvive is intended to leave you looking exactly like you, except with noticeably smoother and brighter skin.

If you've tried traditional dermal fillers in the past and are not happy with the unnatural results they yield, you might want to give Skinvive fillers a shot — here's why.

According to AbbVie Company of Allergan Aesthetics, the parent company of the product, Skinvive by Juvéderm is a dermal filler that boosts hydration in the cheek area by feeding it with microdroplets of hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance that helps the skin retain moisture. This injection gives the area a smooth feel and a delicate glow that may last up to six months. The product also features a small amount of lidocaine, a local anesthetic, to numb the pain and make the process feel more bearable. 

"Skin quality is among the top concerns my patients express when seeking aesthetic treatments. It's an extremely important factor I consider in my therapeutic process of restoring their natural beauty and appearance," dermatologist, author, and Skinvive by Juvéderm lead investigator Dr. Macrene Alexiades tells AbbVie. "One key way to improve skin quality is by enhancing hydration. Skinvive by Juvéderm is truly innovative because it works beneath the skin's surface to increase skin hydration improving skin quality. I am excited to add this unique offering to my dermatologic treatment regimen for my patients."

The FDA has approved Skinvive by Juvéderm as the first and only hyaluronic acid microdroplet injection in the United States to smooth cheek skin in patients 21 years of age and older. 

Compared to a traditional hyaluronic-based dermal filler, Skinvive is lighter in molecular weight and thinner in texture. It's also less likely to cause severe side effects and complications than its peers.  

The key difference between them is that traditional dermal fillers such as Juvéderm or Sculptra work by filling fat-deficient areas to add volume and smooth fine lines, while Skinvive injectables are designed to boost hydration in the skin to rejuvenate it from inside rather than volumizing or reshaping it. 

"Anyone who wants their skin to appear hydrated, supple, plump, and super-moisturized will benefit from this filler," dermatologist Dr. David Kim tells InStyle. "This filler won't change the shape of your face so it won't change anyone's face — it's purely for hydration." When your skin is sufficiently hydrated, it looks and feels softer and smoother. Super-moisturized skin is also less likely to succumb to UV damage, premature aging, and is more capable of controlling oil production to curtail risks of acne breakouts.  

According to Dr. Michele Green, Skinvive injections also boost the synthesis of collagen in the skin, keeping the skin elastic and youthful for longer. Besides, Skinvive injections are safe for use on all skin types. According to AbbVie, in a clinical study involving participants from all Fitzpatrick Skin Types (one to six) — a scale designed to categorize skin coloring and response to ultraviolet radiation — those who received Skinvive injections reported satisfaction with the appearance and texture of their skin after treatment. 

Although Skinvive is suitable for all skin types, there are some people who can benefit significantly from it. "Skinvive is good for people that start to get darkening of the skin with age [due to] a loss of fat or dehydration under the skin," cosmetic surgeon Ben Talei tells PopSugar. Dr. Talei also adds that a low molecular weight filler like Skinvive can be an ideal treatment for people suffering from "Ozempic face," a skin condition characterized by sagging facial skin as a result of drastic weight loss or certain medications. This treatment can help restore hydration to the deeper layers of the skin and brighten the skin tone.

On the other hand, Skinvive might not be a safe treatment for individuals with a history of anaphylaxis or lidocaine sensitivity, or in patients with numerous severe allergies, according to Drugs.com. A small amount of gram-positive bacterial proteins are present in Skinvive injections, so those with a track record of allergies to these proteins should think twice before getting an injection. The Skinvive treatment should be postponed if the treatment site is irritated or if there are skin eruptions such as cysts, pimples, rashes, or hives.

Those who are on immunosuppressive therapy or susceptible to keloid formation should also consult with their physician before getting the treatment to minimize risks of side effects.

According to Drugs.com, Skinvive is typically injected as a microdroplet in a volume of 0.01 to 0.05 milliliters distributed 0.5 to 1 centimeter apart beneath your skin. However, the way the injection goes depends on the patient's goals. This procedure is usually carried out by a well-trained specialist in a clinical setting. 

This procedure boasts minimal downtime and you can resume normal activities right after the treatment. However, side effects are common after injections, including swelling, bruising, discoloration, flushing, tenderness, itching at the treated site, according to Dr. Michele Green. It's recommended that you avoid strenuous exercise, makeup, alcoholic beverages, heat, and sun exposure for the first 24 hours after treatment to avoid irritating your skin and compromising your treatment results. The average Skinvive treatment results can last you up to six months, so you should check with your physician to see when you need a touch-up after the initial treatment.

If you're looking to dramatically plump your face and eliminate aging lines, Skinvive by Juvéderm is not the right treatment for you. Traditional fillers or Botox are the better options in this regard. However, if you want to give your skin a steady boost of hydration from inside to make it age slower, Skinvive by Juvéderm is worth introducing into your skincare routine.