My first experience with the Croma Juvenus treatment
croma juvenus: new filler based on PDRN
Croma Juvenus is a novel dermal filler made from polymerized polynucleotides (PDRN for short). PDRNs are derived from fish DNA and, according to studies, have several interesting properties. Among other things, they are supposed to have an anti-inflammatory effect and accelerate wound healing. Until now, possible medical applications were considered to be the healing of acute tissue injuries or sports injuries. But more than 10 years ago, studies suggested that PDRNs might also have a beneficial effect on the skin. With Croma Juvenus, an aesthetic medical application is now available for the first time in the form of an injectable gel. I have already used Croma Juvenus in treatments and would like to describe my experience in this post.
These are the topics:
Injectable, absorbable gel of polynucleotides
what is Croma Juvenus?
Croma Juvenus is an injectable, absorbable gel to increase skin hydration and stimulate collagen synthesis. Due to its hydrophilic and polyanionic properties, Juvenus can bind water and fill interstitial spaces in skin and connective tissues, increasing skin hydration and thus plumping the tissues.
Croma Juvenus has a hydrophilic and antioxidant effect
However, Juvenus not only has a water-binding effect, but also acts against free radicals that accumulate as a result of stress or environmental influences such as the UV light of the sun.
Croma Juvenus consists of polymerized polynucleotides (PDRN) derived from highly purified fish cells. More precisely, it is the sperm of salmon. Research has been dealing with this for over 10 years, so its possible anti-inflammatory and healing effect had been known for some time. However, PDRN did not experience a real breakthrough because the study situation is still thin and long-term results are still pending. But then, as is often the case, it was in South Korea where the concept was unceremoniously translated into cosmetic products and a new “K-Beauty” trend was born.
However, Croma Juvenus does not come from Korea, but is produced by an Italian manufacturer and distributed by the Austrian company Croma. It is offered in two variants, Juvenus Medium and Juvenus Strong. They differ in the content of PDRN, it is 20mg/ml (2%) for Medium and 25mg/ml (2.5%) for Strong. Similar to hyaluronic fillers, the Medium variant is recommended for a rather light wrinkle appearance, while Strong is recommended for medium wrinkles.
No Juvenus in the tear trough
Croma Juvenus is not intended for the injection of deep wrinkles and the targeted volumization of facial regions such as cheeks or chin. Fillers made of hyaluronic acid or hydroxyapatite are still available for this purpose. Croma Juvenus is particularly suitable for hydrating the skin, and can be considered as an alternative to well-known skin boosters such as Juvéderm Volite.
Like hyaluronic fillers, Croma Juvenus is fully absorbable. It is broken down by the body within a few months, so the treatment must be repeated regularly.
Juvenus treatment for neck and décolleté
what is croma juvenus suitable for?
Thanks to its biochemical properties, Juvenus increases the skin’s elasticity and thus reduces the visible consequences of natural and photo-induced aging: light and medium wrinkles, the loss of firmness and elasticity or the first age-related volume losses. Even smaller scars can be subtly smoothed with Juvenus.
My favorite: Juvenus Strong for neck and décolleté
Juvenus Medium is suitable for injecting wrinkles that are not very deep, for example in the area around the mouth or on the cheeks. It can also be used to smooth light scars. Juvenus Strong is used for wrinkles of medium depth, such as in the nasolabial triangle. However, Juvenus Strong is particularly suitable for treating larger areas of the body, such as the chest and hands.
I like to treat the neck and décolleté with Juvenus Strong, as an alternative to injections with hyaluronic acid boosters (“skin boosters”) like Juvederm Volite. In my experience, a stronger smoothing effect can be achieved with Juvenus Strong.
Juvenus should not be used in sensitive areas such as eyelids and bags under the eyes.
Juvenus treatment must be repeated regularly
how does the treatment with Juvenus work?
PDRN slows down skin aging
With increasing age, collagen undergoes increasing structural changes and wrinkles become clearly visible on the skin. Collagen is one of the most abundant proteins in the human body and forms the framework for cells, tissues, and organs. It provides strength and stability to tissues. Anti-ageing treatments therefore usually aim to increase collagen production.
Collagen and Elastin
Treatment with PDRN also aims to improve collagen synthesis. In particular, it works by inhibiting the enzymes collagenase and elastase, both of which play key roles in skin ageing and wrinkling. Elastase, for example, is responsible for the breakdown of the skin’s elastic fibres. Their inhibition significantly slows down the process by which ageing skin loses its elasticity.
Thanks to its content of PDRN, Juvenus increases the elasticity of the skin and thus reduces the visible consequences of natural and photo-induced ageing: light and medium wrinkles, the loss of firmness and elasticity or the first age-related volume losses. Even minor scars can be subtly smoothed with Juvenus.
Injection with Croma Juvenus does not differ significantly from treatment with hyaluronic fillers. After thorough cleansing and disinfection of the treatment area, the gel is injected into the skin using various techniques. With large-area injections, as I practice on the neck and décolleté, the skin is squeezed more superficially. Numerous punctures may occur, which makes prior local anaesthesia with lidocaine cream advisable.
Juvenus treatment can be combined
Juvenus treatment can be combined with other therapies. For example, administration in the context of microneedling would be an option.
Unlike hyaluronic injections, the treatment should be repeated in the short term. The recommended frequency is three treatments, each 3-4 weeks apart, then a booster every 6 months. The cycle is thus similar to that of PRP treatment.
What should be considered before the treatment?
As with other injectable procedures, there are a number of contraindications. Known allergies or acute infections in the treatment area are among them, but also the presence of an autoimmune disease or simultaneous treatment with anticoagulant drugs or immunosuppressants. Pregnancy and lactation are absolute contraindications.
Behavior after treatment
After the treatment, it is important to give the skin some rest and avoid direct UV radiation. Exercise only in moderation, abstain from alcohol. Avoid sauna and solarium for a few days. General behavioural tips after injections can be found in this article.
Side effect profile of Juvenus similar to that of hyaluronic acid
Are there any risks or side effects?
Croma Juvenus also does not differ significantly from hyaluronic fillers in terms of possible side effects. Swelling, redness and haematomas are possible after the treatment, but they usually disappear after a few hours to days. Due to its animal origin, the allergenic potential of Juvenus can at least not be completely ruled out, even if it is highly purified and thus should no longer contain traces of animal proteins.
As with hyaluronic injections, there is a risk of vasal complications if a blood vessel is accidentally punctured and blocked with gel. However, such incidents are exceedingly rare if an experienced physician performs the treatment. In the superficial application on the neck and décolleté, which I mainly practice, they are almost excluded.
Prices for Croma Juvenus treatment at LIPS and SKIN (indicative)
What does treatment with Juvenus cost?
The treatment with 1 x 2ml Croma-Juvenus costs between €350 and €400 in my practice in Munich. Each additional dose costs between €300 and €340. The prices quoted are indicative; the actual costs of a Juvenus treatment are billed according to the German Medical Fee Schedule (GOÄ).
