Juvederm Voluma is an injectable dermal filler formulated with hyaluronic acid (HA) to lift and support the soft tissues of the face for a non-surgical facelift. One of the most important considerations people have when choosing between dermal filler options is how long their results will last. This product is one of the longest-lasting dermal fillers on the market – up to two years for some. Give our talented team at Precision MD in Elk Grove, CA a chance to develop the perfect treatment plan for you.
Cheek Filler: How Long Does Juvederm Voluma Last?
Prior to the modern variety of injectable dermal fillers, options were limited. The only true dermal fillers were collagen replacement treatments, which typically lasted less than six months. This product is more stable and resists breaking down in the body longer than other dermal fillers. It is injected more deeply into the skin, making it less likely to migrate and requiring fewer office visits for touch-ups.
There are several factors that can influence the longevity of your results, such as age, general health, lifestyle, and skin condition. In addition, the treatment location and amount of product used will affect your results. While skin is instantly improved for most people, some patients report that the fullest expression of their results appeared after the HA settled into the skin two to three weeks later.
What Makes Juvederm Voluma Different?
This product is formulated with hyaluronic acid, which is an important agent of hydration for the skin. It is a polysaccharide, made up of a chain of sugars that can hold up to a thousand times its weight in water. Hyaluronic acid naturally occurs in the body, but as we age, production of this molecule slows down. However, as we age, we produce less and less of the acid on our own. Supplementing our skin with HA has several long-term benefits.
Hyaluronic acid not only smooths fine lines and wrinkles in the skin, but it can also stimulate the body’s own collagen production and nutrient transfer with long-term use. This gel is the thickest formulation in the Juvederm family and is biodegradable, reversible, and smooth to inject. It is even thick enough to be molded and massaged by an experienced practitioner to improve facial contours.
Vycross Technology
Vycross is Juvederm’s patented technology that cross-links higher- and lower-weight HA molecules to create a stronger, more stable hyaluronic acid formula. The higher the percentage of cross-linked HA in the gel, the thicker the formula. In turn, thicker gels tend to last longer because they resist spreading and breaking down.
Because Vycross creates a smoother gel, it gives a more subtle correction and more natural facial expressions. Its hydrating effect helps promote faster healing and enhances the skin’s resilience from environmental damage and ultraviolet (UV) exposure.
What Areas Can Be Treated?
While this gel is designed to treat the cheeks and midface, many doctors are successfully using this product to treat the chin, jawline, mouth, lower cheeks, nose, and nasolabial folds. The nasolabial folds are especially susceptible to aging and the effects of gravity, sagging, and drooping more noticeably than other areas over time. Our doctors are experts at developing treatment plans incorporating Juvederm Voluma with a combination of Juvederm’s other companion products.
Understanding Your Skin
In order to understand how this product works, it’s important to know a little about your skin’s anatomy. As we get older, men and women alike experience hormonal changes that can deplete the skin of the hydration and nutrients it needs. Sweat glands and sebaceous glands produce less water and oil, causing our skin to stretch thin and dry out.
Our skin is a layered structure, with each layer having unique and important jobs to do. When the skin ages, these functions become impaired, resulting in more delicate skin that is more prone to damage. Blood vessels become weaker and less efficient in transporting nutrients to where they need to go. We begin to see more age spots and scarring, which is ultimately why many people turn to Juvederm fillers.
The Dermis and Epidermis
The outermost layer of skin is called the epidermis. It protects the body from the outside world, including harsh environmental conditions, exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and microorganisms. It takes the most damage as our first line of defense.
The dermis is just underneath the epidermis. This is the layer where most dermal fillers are injected. It contains sebaceous glands and hair follicles that support the skin’s strength and elasticity through water and oil production. This is also where the receptors reside that are responsible for your senses of pain, pressure, and touch.
Function of the Subcutaneous Layer
A few thicker dermal fillers get injected more deeply into the third layer of skin. This layer is called the subcutaneous (or hypodermis). It consists of fat and connective tissue that acts as the body’s shock absorber, cushioning it from stress. It also contains larger blood vessels that are central to nutrient transport.
How Does Voluma Help?
The gel is delivered via ultrafine needles into the subcutaneous layer. While the main ingredient, hyaluronic acid, is a hydrating agent, the gel itself does not attract or bind to water. This helps it to stay in place longer and avoid migrating to surrounding areas. The product is built upwards, adding instant lift and volume.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Treatment?
People of all ages and skin types can experience the aging effects of lost collagen. Even young patients can suffer dry, inelastic skin from conditions such as hormone imbalances, weight loss, and heredity. Therefore, anyone over the age of 21 who is dissatisfied with the texture and appearance of their skin can benefit from injectable dermal fillers.
How You Can Maximize Your Results
The weeks prior to your session are so important to your treatment outcome. Taking this time to ensure that your skin is in its best condition possible will go a long way to enhance your results. Wearing sunscreen, protecting your skin from harsh environmental conditions, and avoiding activities that could increase skin irritation or sensitivity will give your skin its best chance to accept and heal from treatment.
Developing a consistent skincare regimen, including drinking lots of water and making healthy food choices, will ensure your skin receives the nutrients it needs. In addition, it is best to avoid drinking alcohol or taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicines like Advil or Motrin, as both of these are blood-thinners and increases the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Factors Affecting the Longevity of Your Results
Severity of Collagen Loss
Do not be discouraged if your skin has suffered moderate to severe collagen loss – you are likely to see the most dramatic results. While it may take more product (and more office visits) to achieve your desired results, you will benefit most from the restored health and vitality hyaluronic acid treatment can bring to your skin. Our doctors are experts at finding solutions and companion products tailored to your individual needs.
Location of Treatment and Injection Volume
This gel is the thickest of all Juvederm products, making it perfect for molding and building upward from bony areas like the upper cheeks. While doctors are successfully using it in areas such as the lower cheeks and mouth, these areas will not hold the gel as long, affecting the duration of results. In addition, any high-mobility areas will break down HA faster with the continuous stretching and folding of the skin.
Likewise, areas that receive less product won’t last as long as areas that receive more. Juvederm’s Vycross technology makes cross-linked hyaluronic acids the best choice for their stable formulation, durable molecular structure, and low-risk profile. Our medical team will work with you to determine the best location for treatment and how much product is right for you.
Lifestyle Factors
While some factors are out of your control (such as genetics and skin type), there are many things you can do to support the longevity of your results. Addressing things like unhealthy choices such as smoking and tanning, and working to bring down stress levels will help your body build up the energy reserves it needs to respond to treatment. Introducing a holistic approach to your health will allow your skin to be more accepting of Juvederm Voluma benefits.
Professional Experience
As with any medical procedure, it is important to choose the most experienced and qualified professionals. The expertise of the professional administering treatment is just as influential on your results as the treatment itself. An inexperienced or inadequately trained professional can inadvertently over-treat areas of the face, leading to asymmetry or skin that appears tight and restricted. Our team at Precision MD has substantial experience and training in administering Juvederm’s family of products.
Benefits of Juvederm Voluma
Longer-Lasting
Juvederm’s Vycross technology creates a stronger, more durable product by cross-linking lower- and higher-weight HA molecules. Because of its high concentration of Vycross molecules, it lasts almost twice as long as its rivals. For many people, results last for up to two years.
Non-Invasive
This product is delivered into the deepest layers of the skin via ultrafine needles. These tiny needles decrease the treatment surface area, which increases accuracy. In addition, this product is formulated with lidocaine for maximum patient comfort.
In addition, since hyaluronic acid already occurs naturally in the skin, this product is generally well-tolerated. Furthermore, the HA used in this product is plant-derived (as opposed to animal-derived), so adverse reactions are very rare. If there are any allergies or reactions at all, they are usually due to other substances in the product, such as the lidocaine.
Combines With Other Treatments
Hyaluronic acid treatments can be received alongside other cosmetic services as long as the timing is right. If you would like to continue to receive other treatments such as facials and chemical peels, our doctors are experts at scheduling companion services. At your consultation, be sure to mention any other cosmetic services you are receiving or would like to receive.
Immediate Results
Results are instantly noticeable after just one session. As the product assimilates into the skin, it immediately restores volume and smooths out fine lines and wrinkles. At the same time the gel lifts and plumps the skin, it also brightens shadowy areas and hides flaws such as visible blood vessels, acne scars, and skin damage. Many people also report continued improvement two to three weeks after treatment as the HA settles into the skin.
Hyaluronic acid injections are considered an outpatient service, and your session should last under an hour. Most people are able to return to their normal daily activities immediately. Because of its convenience, safety, and efficacy, Juvederm Voluma remains a top recommendation of dermatologists everywhere.
Let’s Talk
You no longer have to suffer from the self-consciousness and deflated confidence that comes with aging skin. Juvederm Voluma is a safe and highly effective solution for nearly everyone who is dissatisfied with their skin’s appearance. Don’t wait to get started. Call our qualified medical team at Precision MD in Elk Grove, CA to schedule your consultation today.
