Juvéderm Ultra 3: What It Treats & How Long It Lasts
What the “3” means, what it’s used for, and how long you can expect results to last.
Juvéderm Ultra 3 is a medium-depth cross-linked hyaluronic acid filler from Allergan, formulated at 24 mg/mL HA with 0.3% lidocaine and supplied as two 1 mL syringes. It is most commonly used for lips, moderate folds such as the nasolabial lines, and facial contour. Results commonly last around 6–12 months, often less in the lips. It is CE-marked and sold outside the U.S.; in the U.S., Juvéderm Ultra XC is FDA-approved for wrinkles, folds and lip augmentation.
“Ultra 3” is one of the most asked-about names in the Juvéderm family — and one of the most misunderstood. What does the number mean, what is it actually used for, and how long will it last? This guide answers all three.
What is Juvéderm Ultra 3?
Juvéderm Ultra 3 is a medium-depth, cross-linked hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal filler made by Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie company. Juvéderm Ultra 3 belongs to the Juvéderm Ultra line, whose smooth, cross-linked gels are made with Allergan’s Hylacross technology; the high concentration of cross-linked HA is what gives these gels their longevity [3]. In international markets the Ultra line comes in numbered versions — Ultra 2, 3 and 4 — broadly designed for fine, medium and deeper lines, with Ultra 3 in the middle.
Each box contains two 1 mL prefilled syringes formulated at 24 mg/mL of hyaluronic acid with 0.3% lidocaine for comfort during injection.
What is Juvéderm Ultra 3 used for?
Juvéderm Ultra 3 is most commonly used for the lips, moderate facial folds and facial contour:
- Lips — adding volume and definition, with the lidocaine making treatment more comfortable.
- Moderate folds — such as the nasolabial lines between nose and mouth.
- Facial contour — subtle support and refinement.
Exact indications, depth and technique are product-specific per the manufacturer’s labeling and are decided by the treating clinician.
The number in “Ultra 3” isn’t a strength rating. It tells you where in the skin the gel is designed to sit.
How long does Juvéderm Ultra 3 last?
Juvéderm Ultra results typically last around six to twelve months, often less in the lips. Hyaluronic acid is gradually broken down by the body, so results are not permanent. In a follow-up study of Juvéderm Ultra gels in the nasolabial folds, patients received a repeat treatment 6–9 months after their first, needed substantially less product the second time, and maintained correction for a further year [2].
| Area | Commonly reported duration |
|---|---|
| Mid-face folds | Around 9–12 months |
| Nasolabial lines | Around 6–12 months |
| Lips | Often around 6–9 months |
Commonly reported ranges; duration depends on the area, amount used, technique and the individual, and results are not guaranteed.
How is Juvéderm Ultra 3 different from a skin booster or biostimulator?
An HA filler adds volume immediately, a skin booster improves overall skin quality, and a biostimulator builds collagen gradually. Clinics often use all three together, because each does a different job.
| Category | What it does |
|---|---|
| HA filler e.g. Juvéderm Ultra 3 |
Adds volume and structure immediately on placement |
| Skin booster e.g. Rejuran Healer |
Supports overall skin quality — hydration, texture, elasticity |
| Biostimulator e.g. Sculptra |
Encourages the skin’s own collagen, gradually — see our Sculptra results timeline |
Is Juvéderm Ultra 3 available in the United States?
No — Juvéderm Ultra 3 is CE-marked and sold in Europe and other international markets, not in the U.S. under that name. In the U.S., Juvéderm Ultra XC — also formulated at 24 mg/mL HA with 0.3% lidocaine — is FDA-approved for injection into the mid-to-deep dermis for moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, and for lip augmentation in adults over 21 [1]. Its use for lip augmentation was evaluated in an Allergan-sponsored clinical trial [4]. Regulatory status is product-specific and varies by market.
Key takeaways
- Ultra 3 is a medium-depth, cross-linked HA filler with 24 mg/mL HA and 0.3% lidocaine.
- It is most often used for lips, moderate folds and facial contour.
- Results commonly last around 6–12 months, often less in the lips.
Questions we hear most
Is Juvéderm Ultra 3 good for lips?
Yes — lips are one of its most common uses. Its 0.3% lidocaine makes treatment more comfortable. Results in the lips often last a little less time than in calmer areas of the face.
How long does Juvéderm Ultra 3 last?
Results commonly last around 6–12 months on the face and often around 6–9 months in the lips, varying by person, area and technique.
Does the “3” mean it is stronger?
Not exactly. In the Ultra line, the number broadly reflects the depth and type of line the gel is designed for — Ultra 3 sits at medium depth, between Ultra 2 and Ultra 4.
Is Juvéderm Ultra 3 FDA-approved?
Ultra 3 is CE-marked and sold outside the U.S. In the U.S., Juvéderm Ultra XC is FDA-approved for moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds and for lip augmentation in adults over 21. Regulatory status is product-specific by market.
Do repeat treatments need as much product?
Often not. In a follow-up study of Juvéderm gels in the nasolabial folds, repeat treatment at 6–9 months used substantially less product than the first treatment and maintained correction for a further year.
Featured in this articleJuvéderm® Ultra 3 with Lidocaine — Cross-Linked HA Dermal Filler (2 × 1 mL)
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Last reviewed September 22, 2026. Reviewed against publicly available manufacturer information, regulatory documents and peer-reviewed literature listed below. This article is educational content for licensed professionals and informed readers. It is not medical advice and does not replace the manufacturer’s instructions for use or a clinician’s judgement.
References
- JUVÉDERM Ultra XC — Directions for Use (PMA P050047/S044). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf5/P050047S044d.pdf
- Duration of wrinkle correction following repeat treatment with Juvéderm hyaluronic acid fillers. Archives of Dermatological Research, 2010. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20936295
- Hyaluronic acid gel (Juvéderm) preparations in the treatment of facial wrinkles and folds. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 2008. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19281055
- Safety and Effectiveness of Juvéderm Ultra XC Injectable Gel for Lip Augmentation (NCT01197495). ClinicalTrials.gov. clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01197495
