With age, a person naturally starts to lose collagen, which causes the skin to lose structure and volume. Mainly, aging tends to affect the fat pads in the face, such as the cheeks, as they begin to lose their prominence and appear more hollow and less supple. Juvéderm Voluma is an FDA-approved injectable gel made from hyaluronic acid for deep injection in the cheek area to correct age-related volume loss and for augmentation of the chin region.
What Is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid, or HA, is a sugar molecule in many tissues throughout the body that plays a vital role in maintaining the structure and hydration of this tissue. One of the essential functions of HA is its ability to keep skin hydrated and plump; it is present in high concentrations in the dermis, which is the middle layer of skin. Here, it binds water to create a gel-like substance that helps to moisturize and protect the outer layer of skin, known as the epidermis.
As hyaluronic acid levels start to decline due to age, it leads to drier, more wrinkled skin. HA is also an essential part of the body’s production of collagen and elastin, so with less HA comes less of these proteins, too, causing the skin to sag and fold, creating wrinkles and lines. Certain lifestyle factors, such as sun exposure, poor diet, air pollution, and smoking, can speed up the decrease in hyaluronic acid levels.
How Does It Work?
In particular, Juvederm works by adding volume to the facial tissue through its active ingredient, hyaluronic acid. Because of the aging process, hyaluronic acid and collagen production decrease, which increases the appearance of sagging and wrinkling of the facial skin. During the procedure, the licensed aesthetician typically uses a pen to mark the areas to be treated, and the doctor will then inject Juvederm into the target area.
In addition, they will also lightly massage the area to ensure even distribution and reduce the chance of swelling. The entire procedure usually takes between 15 and 60 minutes, depending on the area treated. Juvederm injections contain a small amount of pain-reducing lidocaine, minimizing any pain or discomfort during treatment and making it go away quickly.
What Are The Benefits of Juvederm Voluma?
Juvederm Voluma targets weakened and sunken cheeks, making this preparation exclusive and remarkably effective. Below are its significant benefits:
- Immediate effect. Indeed, it works outstandingly fast.
- Natural effect. It naturally replenishes the lost fullness in the cheeks, cheekbones, and midface area.
- Long-lasting results. The effect remains visible for one year and even lasts two years.
- Reversibility. Since it is a hyaluronic acid filler, its results can be easily adjusted or reversed with the help of the enzyme hyaluronidase shot.
What To Expect From This Treatment?
A week before treatment, some doctors recommend avoiding any medications that can prolong bleeding, such as aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), reducing the risk of bruising and bleeding at the injection site. However, asking the provider or healthcare professional what they recommend is best. Also, the healthcare professional will ask about the patient’s medical history, including any allergies or medications taken.
Although anesthesia is not required, the healthcare professional may first use topical or injectable anesthesia to numb the treatment area. The healthcare professional will ease the Juvéderm® injectable gel under the skin to augment or fill the sunken skin. The healthcare professional may gently massage the treated areas after the injection to even out the product.
Overall, the procedure is quick and easy. Usually, the injection itself takes only about 15 minutes. With Juvéderm®, there is minimal recovery or downtime.
Who Should Receive The Juvederm Voluma Treatment?
The suitable candidates for this treatment are patients aged 21 and older who want to restore cheek or midface volume that was diminished with age or as a result of weight loss. This filler is the perfect preparation for highlighting cheekbones and jawline recontouring. Also, it is applied to minimize the emergence of smile lines around the mouth.
In addition, a good candidate for this treatment has good overall health and no pre-existing skin irritation or conditions around the targeted treatment area. Additionally, a suitable candidate has realistic expectations about what this treatment can offer.
What Are The Possible Side Effects Of Treatment?
Below are the most commonly reported side effects of Juvederm®, which include:
- bruising
- redness
- swelling
- pain
- tenderness
- firmness
- lumps/bumps
- discoloration
- itching
- dryness
However, these side effects are consistent with other facial injection procedures, and most will resolve with time. A doctor may choose to treat side effects persisting over 30 days with antibiotics, steroids, or hyaluronidase (an enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid).
What Does Recovery Look Like?
After the treatment, patients can walk out of the clinic and resume their daily activities. This dermal filler injection is non-invasive, which means there is no downtime. Recovery time is minimal, and patients are sent away with a small set of instructions on how to best care for their skin as it heals from the treatment.
Moreover, below are some of the aftercare instructions that must be followed:
- Avoid alcohol and tobacco consumption over the next few days.
- Avoid exposure to direct sunlight.
- Use SPF30 or higher, applied diligently, in addition to wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
- Avoid running, playing sports, doing hot yoga, or any other physical activity that could make an individual sweat.
- Avoid putting skincare and make-up products on the injected sites during the first 24 hours.
- Avoid blood-thinners.
How Long Does The Result Of The Treatment Last?
Specifically, Juvederm filler treatments are formulated to deliver extended results. As indicated, the effect of this dermal filler is expected to last a year, but it can even last up to two years with supplemental touchups. That said, results can be extended by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and a complementary skincare routine, but knowing the dermal filler is built to last can give confidence in the results.
The Bottom Line
Juvederm Voluma is for anyone looking to restore the skin’s fullness and feel more confident in their appearance. MilfordMD Cosmetic Dermatology Surgery & Laser Center offers Juvederm, the “next generation of hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal fillers and is the only hyaluronic acid dermal fillers approved to last for a year. Ultimately, Juvéderm® was developed using the proprietary HYLACROSS™ technology, a technologically advanced manufacturing process that results in a malleable, smooth gel that flows easily into the skin and creates a smooth, natural look and feel.
