A more youthful face may be just a painless injection away, thanks to Juvederm, the latest cosmetic injectable. From wrinkle removal to scar correction, juvaderm is becoming increasingly popular with Canadian cosmetic surgeons and dermatologists.

Considering the large amount of injectables currently available, it can be very confusing for the average person. So what's the difference between Juvederm and say, collagen?

"Collagen is a protein which comes from cows and there's a risk of allergic reaction ot it. People need a skin test prior to doing it," says cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Kucy Pon. "All the other products are hyaluronic acid, which is a gel not a protein and there's no test needed and people can use it immediately."

There is only a very small chance that someone could have an allegic reaction to Juvederm, Pon says.

Juvederm is a long-lasting product that gives very smooth, very natural results, according to Pon. It can be used for fuller lips, to smooth wrinkle or correct fascial scars.

In a typical treatment, Pon begins by preparing the area to be injected by applying some topical anesthetic to numb the skin and prevent any feelings of discomfort. The Juvederm product comes in pre-loaded syringes, so the needle is ready to go. The needle is inserted into the area and withdrawn as the doctor injects the Juvederm.

"The Juvederm is the highest concentration of hyaluronic acid product available and it's a highly cross-linked product so it does last a long time," Pon explains. "It lasts somewhere between six and 10 months depending on the patient, where it's injected and the techniques used."

Hyaluronic acid is made in a lab using bacterial fermentation so it's not an animal-derived product, which accounts for its safety, Pon says.

And the cost? Juvederm is sold by the syringe, so the more syringes used, the more the procedure will cost. The cost per syringe is $400 to $500, Pon says. If a syringe isn't completely used up, it can be saved for use by the same patient at their next visit.