Non-surgical facial rejuvenation treatments such as injectable dermal fillers are very popular. As more and more people want to restore youthful volume to the face, especially the cheeks, new medical devices are being developed to meet the demand.
The FDA approved a new non-surgical aesthetic treatment–Juvederm Voluma–in October 2013.
What is Juvederm Voluma?
Juvederm Voluma is the first dermal filler to be FDA approved for temporarily restoring volume and fullness to the cheeks and other areas of the mid-face. This dermal filler is composed of hyaluronic acid, a substance naturally present in the body and therefore less likely to cause allergic reactions.
Juvederm Voluma is a gel with high viscosity, or a high G-prime value. This composition makes the gel ideal for improving facial fullness. Juvederm also produces Juvederm Ultra, a dermal filler with less viscosity, excellent for smoothing lines and wrinkles and rejuvenating other areas of the face.
Injectable cosmetic fillers comparison
There are several other soft tissue fillers composed of hyaluronic acid, such as Perlane, and Restylane. These injectable fillers are not FDA approved for restoring volume to the cheeks.
One advantage of Juvederm Voluma over other high G-prime dermal fillers like Radiesse, is that unwanted effects of Juvederm Voluma can be reduced by a skilled aesthetic clinician. Hyaluronidase, an enzyme, can be injected to dissolve the dermal filler, providing peace of mind for many patients.
How long do treatments of Juvederm Voluma last?
Juvederm Voluma’s unique composition means it lasts longer than most injectable cosmetic fillers. FDA data has proved that 86% of subjects saw improvements in cheek fullness and facial rejuvenation for 6 months, and results lasted up to 2 years for a majority of subjects. Studies have shown that 76% were satisfied with their facial fullness after 2 years, and most considered they looked at least 3 years younger.
Are there any side effects of Juvederm Voluma?
Juvederm Voluma, like all medical aesthetic treatments, must be injected by properly-trained aesthetic clinicians. The thick gel must be injected precisely into the targeted area through large bore needles, by clinicians with a thorough knowledge of facial anatomy.
Most side effects are minor, and include moderate swelling, tenderness, and possibly lumps at the injection site. These effects generally last from 2 to 4 weeks.
For people seeking rejuvenation without surgery, this new injectable dermal filler is an excellent option to temporarily reverse age-related volume loss.
Sources used in researching this article include Realself: Cheeks Showing Your Age? Volumize Them With Voluma and US Food and Drug Administration: Juvederm Voluma XC – P110033