What is Voluma™?  Juvéderm Voluma™ XC is facial filler which consists of hyaluronic acid.  This is the first, and only, facial filler which is approved for use in the cheek area to add volume.  The result is a more youthful contour of the cheek.  This is different from Juvéderm XC, which is used to smooth the deep creases around the nose and mouth.  The gel used in Voluma™ is very viscous, but is still smooth.

Why would inject the cheek region?  As we age, we undergo volume loss in the mid-face.  As we age, the fat in our faces often atrophies, creating a loss of volume.  If you think of the rounds cheeks of a baby and then compare them to the cheeks of an adult older than 50 or 55 years, this difference in fat volume becomes obvious.  As we lose volume, the cheek appears to “flatten”, and we lose the natural curve of the youthful face.  Therefore, adding volume to this region of loss helps to restore some of the youthful fullness to the mid-face.

Voluma™ treatments are performed in the office under local anesthesia.  The procedure takes 30-45 minutes to perform, depending upon the amount of correction desired by the patient.  Most patients note that they may have mild bruising which lasts for several days.  Tenderness, swelling, lumps, and discoloration may last for 2-4 weeks.  The results last for 1 ½ – 2 years, as reported in the studies evaluated by the FDA for approval.  Most patients require 2-4 syringes of product to obtain optimal results.  As with any cosmetic procedure on the face, the most natural results are achieved with small changes in specific regions, and the use of Voluma™ should prove to be an excellent addition to our arsenal of options for the aging face.