The K-beauty term ‘glass skin’ was introduced to the Western world via South Korea back in 2017—the same year Juvederm launched a groundbreaking injectable designed to deeply hydrate and smooth the skin from the inside out.
For years, this pioneering treatment was exclusively available in Europe and Asia. But, in great news for anyone trying to achieve skin so smooth it looks like glass, Skinvive by Juvederm has finally launched in America after getting FDA approval last year.
Although it’s technically a filler, it’s more like an injectable moisturizer. Instead of changing the shape of the face, microdroplets of hyaluronic acid are injected into the outer layer of the skin to enhance texture and tone, reduce the appearance of fine lines and pores, and boost collagen and elastin production.
Hyaluronic acid [HA] is a moisture-retaining molecule that naturally occurs throughout the body to keep everything hydrated. It’s also a popular ingredient in skincare, and like most glow-seekers I slather it on daily in an effort to stay moisturized. So, naturally, I was intrigued by the idea of taking things up a notch and getting it injected into my epidermis.
Photo from Juvaderm.
When I was offered the chance to try Skinvive under the skilled hand of Dr. Joanne E. Low I was thrilled. She’s an oculofacial plastic surgeon – meaning she specializes in the eyes and face – so I felt especially confident stepping into her Manhattan Beach, California office. Her friendly, down-to-earth demeanor put me even more at ease, which was a relief since the treatment involves around 20-30 small injections on each side of the face, and like most people, I’m not a big fan of needles, no matter how tiny.
Prior to my appointment, I avoided alcohol for 48 hours to cut back on the chances of bruising. Although Skinvive contains lidocaine to alleviate pain, Dr. Low applied numbing cream before the injections to make me extra comfortable.
Fortunately, Dr. Low is an incredibly skilled injector, and the needle is extremely small, so overall it was relatively painless and took less than 20 minutes. I was a little red and mildly swollen for about 24 hours afterwards, but aside from that, there were no signs I’d had it done, not even bruising.
Dr. Low warned me not to expect instant gratification—it takes about four weeks to see the full results of the treatment, since the skin needs time to generate new collagen and elastin. But the hydration, although subtle, was noticeable almost right away. My cheeks looked dewy, even without make-up. And when I did wear foundation, it seemed to glide on effortlessly.
It’s now been a month since I had the treatment, and I’m convinced my skin is more supple, and my pores are a little less noticeable. According to clinical trials, my results may continue to improve and last anywhere from 6-12 months. The cost is not cheap—between $650-$850—depending on your provider, but I think it’s worth it, especially if your goal is glass skin!
Allison’s BEFORE.
AFTER