If you’ve been chasing that lit-from-within glow with every serum, moisturizer, and sheet mask on the market, only to find your skin still lacking that radiance, you’re not alone. But what if you could hydrate skin to smooth cheeks—and the results would last through six months with optimal treatment?
Enter SKINVIVE by JUVÉDERM®, a hyaluronic acid microdroplet injectable designed to give you radiant* and smooth cheeks, without the downtime of other procedures such as lasers, peels, or microneedling. We sat down with Rapid City, SD, Board-certified dermatologist Lycia Thornburg, MD, to discuss how this treatment is changing the way patients think about injectables. Spoiler alert: this isn’t your traditional filler.
“When I first started treating patients with SKINVIVE®, it was a game-changer for my practice,” says Dr. Thornburg. “People were so accustomed to fillers being about adding volume, but this treatment is different—it’s all about cheek skin smoothness and hydration.”
So, who can benefit from this innovative treatment? Let’s break it down by patient type to see how SKINVIVE® can help smooth and hydrate your skin.
The Busy Professional: Glow On-the-Go
For the patient who’s always on the move—whether it’s jumping from meeting to meeting or catching red-eye flights across the country—finding time for lengthy skin treatments can be a struggle.
“SKINVIVE® allows these patients to come in for a relatively quick treatment and get back to their busy schedules,” Dr. Thornburg explains. “There’s no significant downtime.”
Why it works:
Unlike chemical peels or laser resurfacing that require days of recovery, SKINVIVE® involves microdroplet injections placed just under the skin to improve hydration and smoothness of the cheeks. Think of it as a lasting hydration boost that keeps your cheek skin smooth and glowing** through six months with optimal treatment.
What to expect:
Dr. Thornburg recommends patients stay hydrated after treatment and avoid makeup. After that? They’re ready to glow.** You can expect mild redness or swelling for a day or two, and you should minimize strenuous exercise, exposure to extensive sun or heat, and alcoholic beverages within the first 24 hours following treatment.”
The Low-Maintenance Skincare Enthusiast: Hydration Without the Hassle
Some people love the idea of smooth, hydrated, and radiant-looking* cheeks but aren’t thrilled by the prospect of a multi-step skincare routine.
“I’ve had patients who are looking for something simple, effective, and lasting,” says Dr. Thornburg. “They don’t want a 10-step skincare regimen; they just want glowing** skin without the fuss. SKINVIVE® can fill that gap.”
Why it works:
SKINVIVE® injects hyaluronic acid in the cheeks which helps the skin retain its natural moisture and softness leading to an improvement in the skin smoothness of the cheeks. Dr. Thornburg compares the effect to “watering a plant from the roots, not just spraying water on the leaves.”
What to expect:
Patients can expect to see smoother, more hydrated cheeks at one month, with results lasting through six months with optimal treatment.
The Skincare Devotee: Amplifying Your Routine
Then there are the patients who live and breathe skincare. They’ve tried every serum, exfoliant, and essence in the book and while their skin is in good shape, it’s missing that extra something. They’re not looking to overhaul their routine—they just want a little extra glow.**
“For my patients who already have a great skincare routine, SKINVIVE® is like the cherry on top,” says Dr. Thornburg. “It complements what they’re already doing by providing hydration and smoothness.
Why it works:
Since it’s injected in the cheeks, it hydrates in a way that’s different than even the best topical hyaluronic acid serums.
What to expect:
Dr. Thornburg recommends scheduling the treatment alongside regular appointments. “Most of my patients feel an immediate improvement in their skin’s texture, but the real magic happens about a month after treatment when the skin is at its smoothest and most hydrated,” she says.
The Natural-Looking Results: Noticeable, Yet Subtle
Some are simply looking for a subtle boost—something that makes their skin look healthy and refreshed, but without altering their facial structure or volume. “They just want people to notice their skin looks really good, without knowing they’ve had anything done,” Dr. Thornburg explains.
Why it works:
Unlike traditional fillers, which add volume to areas like the lips or cheeks, SKINVIVE® focuses on improving skin texture and hydration. Think of it as your skin, but with a smoother, more hydrated appearance to the cheeks and without volumizing or plumping the skin.
What to expect:
SKINVIVE® provides results to help skin look hydrated, refreshed, and healthy. You’ll notice improved cheek skin smoothness and a lasting glow** with results that say, “I take care of my skin,” even if you don’t.
Is SKINVIVE® Right for You?
Whether you’re a busy professional, a skincare minimalist, or someone looking to take the next step, SKINVIVE® offers an option for smoother, radiant-looking* cheeks. With minimal downtime and the ability to fit into almost any lifestyle, it’s a great treatment for anyone looking to achieve smooth, radiant*, hydrated-looking cheeks.
As Dr. Thornburg says, “It’s a whole new way of thinking about injectables. Instead of focusing on volume, we’re focusing on skin quality attributes such as texture and radiance—and that’s a game-changer.”
* Patients reported satisfaction with how radiant their skin looked using a validated questionnaire.
** Glow was reported by patients using a validated questionnaire that included satisfaction with how radiant their skin looked.
SKINVIVE by JUVÉDERM® Injectable Gel Important Information
APPROVED USES
SKINVIVE by JUVÉDERM® injectable gel is an injection to improve skin smoothness of the cheeks in adults over the age of 21.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Are there any reasons why I should not receive SKINVIVE by JUVÉDERM® treatment?
Do not use this product if you have a history of multiple severe allergies or severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), if you are allergic to lidocaine or the Gram-positive bacterial proteins used in this product, or if you have had previous allergic reactions to hyaluronic acid fillers.
What Warnings should my specialist advise me about?
- One of the risks with dermal filler injection is the unintentional injection into a blood vessel. The chances of this happening are very small, but if it does happen, the complications can be serious and may be permanent. These complications, which have been reported for facial injections, can include vision abnormalities, blindness, stroke, temporary scabs, or permanent scarring of the skin. Most of these events are irreversible. Tell your specialist immediately if you have changes in your vision, signs of a stroke (including sudden difficulty speaking, numbness or weakness in your face, arms or legs, difficulty walking, face drooping, severe headache, dizziness, or confusion), white appearance of the skin, or unusual pain during or shortly after treatment
- The use of this product where skin sores, pimples, rashes, hives, cysts, or infections are present should be postponed, as this may delay healing or make skin problems worse
- The effectiveness of removal of any dermal filler has not been studied
What Precautions should my specialist advise me about?
- Minimize strenuous exercise, exposure to extensive sun or heat, and alcoholic beverages within the first 24 hours following treatment. Exposure to any of these may cause temporary redness, swelling, and/or itching at the injection site
- Tell your specialist if you are using any medication that can prolong bleeding, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or other blood thinners, as this may increase bruising or bleeding at the injection site
- Tell your specialist if you are planning laser treatment, chemical peeling, or any other procedure after SKINVIVE by JUVÉDERM®. There is a possible risk of an inflammatory reaction at the treatment site
- This product is intended for improving skin smoothness of the cheeks. The safety and effectiveness for treatment in other areas of the body have not been established
- Tell your specialist if you are on therapy used to decrease the body’s immune response, as treatment may result in an increased risk of infection
- Tell your specialist if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. The safety for use during pregnancy, or in women who are breastfeeding, has not been studied
- Tell your specialist if you have a history of excessive scarring (thick, hard scars). The safety of this product in patients with a history of excessive scarring has not been studied and may result in additional scars
- Tell your specialist if you have a history of pigmentation disorders, as use of this product in patients with a history of pigmentation disorders has not been studied and may result in changes in pigmentation
What are the possible side effects of treatment?
The most commonly reported side effects were redness, lumps/bumps, swelling, bruising, pain, tenderness, firmness, discoloration and itching. Most side effects will resolve within 7 days. If they persist longer, your physician may choose to treat them with medications, such as antibiotics, steroids, or hyaluronidase. Additionally, there have been reports of inflammation, nodules, unsatisfactory result, loss or lack of improvement, allergic reaction, anxiety, blood vessel blockage, infection, dry skin, increase or decrease in sensation, and abscess.
Delayed-onset inflammation near the site of dermal filler injections is one of the known adverse events associated with dermal fillers. As with all skin injection procedures, there is a risk of infection.
To report a side effect, please call the Allergan® Product Support Department at 1-877-345-5372. Please also visit SKINVIVE.com or talk to your specialist for more information.
SKINVIVE by JUVÉDERM® is available only by a licensed physician or properly licensed practitioner.
