Juvederm side effects are usually minimal, which may be why this hyaluronic acid gel filler has become a popular weapon in the war against aging, especially for smoothing nasolabial folds, or smile lines, and as a lip plumper. Once you find an experienced doctor, you should go over everything with him or her, but here a few things to keep in mind.

After the procedure, it’s fairly common to experience redness, swelling, pain, tenderness and/or bruising at the injection site. These issues are common with just about any type of cosmetic procedure, and usually subside within three to seven days. You should avoid exposing the treated area to the sun and extremely cold weather until all of the side effects have cleared up.

However, more severe side effects can occur on occasion. Adverse reactions with your immune system can sometimes cause tiny bumps under your skin near the injection sites called granulomas. Often the bumps improve over time. Also, if you have a history of allergies to certain bacterial proteins or anaphylaxis, Juvederm is not an appropriate solution for you because the side effects could be very severe. Be sure to talk to your doctor about any allergies and medications that you’re taking.

While not a side effect, it’s also important to know that Juvederm isn’t a permanent solution. As with all injectable fillers, this is a temporary solution. The FDA has approved Juvederm to last up to one year, but eventually you will need touch-up injections or repeat injections to maintain the look you want.