Categories: Blog

How Long Will My Voluma Results Last?

Has the effect of aging started to cause a difference in the way your cheeks look? Have they lost volume, becoming thinner in the hollow of the cheek? Are they losing definition along the cheek line? Are they losing fullness in the round “apple” area near the cheekbone? If you are experiencing these effects, you may be a candidate for Juvederm Voluma XC. This powerful dermal filler produces fast-acting, long-lasting, and natural results––and you can find it today at Still Waters Day & Medical Spa in Pensacola, FL. Learn today the amazing process and how long does Voluma last?

What Is Juvederm?

Juvederm is the brand name of a line of high-quality dermal fillers manufactured by Allergan, the same company that introduced Botox to the world. Unlike Botox, Juvederm is a hyaluronic acid filler. It works slightly differently, and in some cases, it can also produce longer-lasting results.

What Is Voluma?

There are a number of different types of Juvederm, depending on what areas you want to treat. Some varieties focus on wrinkles, facial lines, and folds on the skin. Others treat thinning volume in the lips. And one in particular––Voluma XC––was more recently developed for the purpose of treating age-related volume loss in the area in and around the cheeks.

How Long Does Voluma Last?

Because this filler is used to treat the cheeks, it is a slightly different consistency than other types of Juvederm. Like other varieties of Juvederm, it comes in a gel form that is injected into a treatment area using a very fine needle. Each variety of Juvederm has a unique makeup, based on the needs of the specific treatment area. This filler has a durable consistency that matches the thicker skin in the cheeks. This allows it to last up to two years when injected into the lower layers of the cheeks.

After two years, patients may still see some positive results, but the concentration of the filler will start to decline at this point. In order to maintain a consistent aesthetic, many patients elect to get “follow-up” treatments after two years.

What Concerns Does Voluma Treat?

This filler can be used for multiple treatment areas in the cheeks. Many people address just one of these concerns, while others get treatment for all of them at once. Of course, the required time for treatment will vary, depending on how many issues you wish to treat.

Loss of Volume in the Apple

If you look in the mirror when you smile, you’ll probably see a round area form on the upper area and front of your cheeks. Dermatologists refer to this area as the “apple” of the cheek. When the apple is plump, it tends to convey health, youth, and a general sense of friendliness. Unfortunately, it can also start to lose plumpness as we age. Because the skin in this area is thicker, a special filler is needed to treat the issue. Fortunately, Juvederm is able to add remarkable, natural-looking volume that will move with your smile without looking artificial.

Loss of Definition in the Apex (Cheek Line)

The thick skin of the cheeks stretches up to the apex or cheek line. Once you go over the cheek line, however, the skin becomes very, very thin. This is the area of thin skin under the eyes (the area that often gives us “baggy eyes”). Because these two areas are so different, a highly targeted treatment is needed in order to treat the cheek line. By adding subtle amounts of volume to this area, our medical experts can draw a sharp contour to give patients a striking, eye-catching cheek line.

Loss of Volume in the Hollow of the Cheeks

If you “suck in” your cheeks, you’ll easily be able to tell where the hollow of the cheek is. It’s the area that forms a small dimple when you do this. As we get older, one common side effect is that we start to lose volume in this area and our skin starts to become thinner. In some people, this can start to look like sagging skin. In others, it can lead to a hollow or “tired” look. In either case, Juvederm can restore the lost volume in this area, taking years off your appearance.

Other Types of Juvederm

There are a number of other types of Juvederm on the market. These are specially formulated to address aesthetic concerns aside from the cheeks. Many of them can be combined with a cheek session, for more efficient treatment. The following are among the other options we offer at Still Waters Day & Medical Spa.

Juvederm Ultra XC

Juvederm Ultra XC is a thick form of the gel that is excellent at treating large volume loss. It is most often used to treat deep folds in the lower region of the face, or to plump thin lips. Because it is a thicker gel, it is not the first choice for subtle, highly detailed contouring. Its virtue is that it can add a good amount of volume, while also providing consistent results for about one year. It is an excellent choice for treating thin lips that have age-related volume loss.

Juvederm Volbella XC

Juvederm Volbella XC is specially formulated for subtle contouring of the lips and lip lines. Like Juvederm Ultra, this filler can treat the lips and last for a year. However, it is used less for volume and more for shaping the outline of the lips. If you wish to reshape the lips, this filler can provide excellent results.

Juvederm Vollure XC

Juvederm Vollure XC is one of the most recent varieties of Juvederm on the market. It was developed by blending different weights of hyaluronic acid molecules, allowing it to last longer than some of the other versions of Juvederm. It can last up to 18 months, making it the longest-lasting option for treating facial lines and folds. It softens moderate and severe nasolabial folds or marionette lines. These are the main lines that appear on the face around the nose and mouth (nasolabial folds are also sometimes called “laugh lines” or “smile lines”).

Juvederm FAQs

How Is Juvederm Different From Botox?

Botox is typically referred to as a neurotoxin. This type of wrinkle treatment works by relaxing the muscles in the face, causing surface wrinkles to disappear. Because the folds on our skin can often be caused by muscle contractions underneath the skin, the folds can be softened by causing those contractions to stop.

Juvederm is a filler that actually adds volume to the skin. It accomplishes this by harnessing the power of hyaluronic acid. When hyaluronic acid is injected into the skin, it retains water better, causing an increase in overall volume.

Is One Injection Better Than the Other?

Each of these treatments has its strengths, and every patient reacts in a unique way to the injection. Some patients have said that, with time, they have developed a resistance to Botox, and in these cases have opted for Juvederm as a replacement. In general, Botox is favored for treating frown lines and other forehead wrinkles, as these are usually caused by muscle contractions.

However, this may not always be the case when it comes to volume loss in the cheeks, nasolabial folds, or marionette lines. These concerns are often caused by a change in the skin itself, and in these cases, a hyaluronic acid filler can provide more reliable benefits.

What Is Hyaluronic Acid?

Hyaluronic acid is a polysaccharide that exists in all human bodies. It is a tiny sugar molecule that helps our skin retain water. It also assists in keeping our joints healthy and well-lubricated. It is completely natural and even essential for our bodies to function properly.

Because hyaluronic acid binds to water, it naturally helps us retain the volume in our skin. However, this substance starts to disappear with the years. It becomes absorbed by the skin, and our bodies produce less “replacement” hyaluronic acid as we enter middle age. Because the overall amount starts to decline, we lose volume in the skin, causing wrinkles on the surface, and a hollow look in the cheeks that is often associated with old age.

How Does Juvederm Work?

When we inject the patient with new hyaluronic acid, it will immediately start to bind to the body’s natural water reserves. This is actually what forms the majority of the treatment’s “volume-increasing” effects. It is not the filler itself, but the water that is located within the skin––the filler just helps retain it.

How Quickly Does It Work?

Because the binding effects happen almost instantaneously, many patients will notice changes on the first day. However, it takes Juvederm a while to settle into place. As the body absorbs the filler, it usually takes roughly two weeks for ideal results to make themselves apparent. After this point, the filler will be “set.”

How Long Does Treatment Take?

Juvederm sessions are remarkably efficient. In almost every case, only one injection is required. A session may take between 25 minutes and an hour, depending on the amount of filler being used. Patients often combine treatments, possibly treating both the cheeks and some specific wrinkles or folds, for instance. More treatment areas will mean a longer session, but it is still typically about an hour at most.

How Long Does It Take to Recover?

As previously mentioned, the process will take roughly two weeks to “set,” but patients can resume their normal activities on the same day. Juvederm is minimally invasive and non-surgical. Unlike facelifts or complicated procedures, most patients don’t need to take any time off. It is an excellent treatment for professionals with busy lives and schedules who can’t afford to disappear for days at a time.

What Does the “XC” in “Juvederm XC” Mean?

This simply denotes that the filler contains a local anesthetic. All current versions of Juvederm are mixed with lidocaine, which helps to minimize the discomfort during injection. Because it is part of the mixture, it does not need to be injected ahead of time––patients can get the anesthetic at the same time as treatment.

Who Can Get Treatment?

Juvederm is well-regarded for the fact that it works with nearly any skin color, type, and tone. Almost all patients who are experiencing volume loss can get this treatment. The manufacturer does not recommend that patients under 21 should get injections, and most patients are 35 or older. However, there are some cases where patients in their twenties may need to add volume. People who should not get treatment include women who are pregnant, women who are breastfeeding, or anyone who has an allergy to lidocaine.

When you contact our office, we can schedule a one-on-one consultation with our staff. We will discuss all your aesthetic objectives, and help determine the treatment plan that best fits your unique needs.

Schedule Your Consultation Today

Are you ready to experience fuller cheeks, free from the hollow appearance that so often comes with age? You can restore youthful fullness to your cheeks with Juvederm Voluma XC. Simply contact Still Waters Day & Medical Spa in Pensacola, FL and schedule your in-person consultation today! Our professional medical team are eager to teach you with the process including how long does Voluma last.

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