Increasing Cheek Volume with Juvederm Voluma
Juvederm Voluma by Allergan is the only dermal filler currently approved by the FDA to add volume to the cheeks (mid-face area). Available in Europe since 2005, Voluma was approved for use in the United States late last year. Voluma has received quite a bit of attention since it launched, especially at our practice.
Benefits of Juvederm Voluma
Voluma gives the cheeks a nice subtle lift, restoring volume to the face and providing a contoured, youthful look. In contrast to a traditional facelift procedure, which repositions sagging cheek fat, Voluma can be utilized to add volume to the mid-face without the invasiveness of a surgical procedure.
In addition to restoring cheek volume, Voluma can also be used off-label to:
- Smooth light-to-moderate lines around the eyes
- Smooth wrinkles around the mouth and nose
- Add volume to the temples
Voluma has been clinically proven to last for up to two years from the initial date of treatment.
Ideal Candidates
Voluma is perfect for individuals who have noticed mild to moderate volume loss (hollowness) in the mid-face area, but who are not quite ready for a full facelift. In this case, the subtle cheek lift provided by Voluma can make the patient look at least 5 years younger.
How Voluma Works
Juvederm Voluma is made from Hyaluronic Acid (HA), a natural hydrating substance produced from long chains of sugars. Natural facial aging leads to declining levels of HA in the skin, resulting in wrinkling and volume loss. Voluma injections counteract the deficiency in a natural manner.
Juvederm Voluma is unique in that the HA is cross-linked through a process called Vycross that helps provide an excellent lifting capacity. This special cross-linking also helps to avoid degradation, making Voluma last almost twice as long as other fillers. And since it is an HA filler, it can be molded and shaped into the desired contour after injection.
The Voluma Procedure
Voluma is administered to the target area through a series of injections from a smooth-flowing needle. The Voluma formula includes Lidocaine (a local anesthetic), which functions to simultaneously numb the target area during injection. Average treatment time is 10 to 15 minutes.
What to expect after treatment
The Voluma procedure is non-invasive, with little to know recovery time required. Many patients can undergo Voluma treatment and go right back to work or normal activities. Side effects include mild redness, tenderness, swelling, and bruising, all of which subside within days of treatment.
About The Author
Daniel P. Friedmann, M.D. is a fellowship-trained, board-certified dermatologist and phlebologist at Westlake Dermatology and Clinical Research Director of the Westlake Clinical Research Center
