Voluma Portland Oregon

Enhancing the cheeks with Juvederm Voluma is my most favorite injection to perform. With added volume to the cheeks, the entire face appears lifted, rejuvenated, and younger; I get the most ‘wow’s’ with this procedure. This week I talk cheek filler with Juvederm Voluma.

The cheek area is commonly referred to as the midface, and midface volume loss is a hallmark of aging. Each of us expresses this degree of volume loss differently and with varying degrees of severity. Typically the cheeks flatten and the skin begins to sag. Voluma is designed to add volume beneath the skin’s surface, which provides lift and contour to the cheeks. 

What is Voluma?

Voluma was first approved for use outside the US in 2005 and approved in the US in 2019. It’s the first hyaluronic acid (HA) filler FDA approved to address age-related volume changes in the cheeks. HA fillers are made from long chains of sugars that naturally occur in the skin. Voluma is made from a technology called vycross which allows for a longer duration and lifting effect. Vycross technology prevents your body from degrading the product and studies show that results can last up to two years (1). HA fillers can be dissolved with an enzyme with a very simple procedure if necessary. 

Who is a candidate?

Virtually anyone with volume loss or with poorly defined cheekbones are a candidate for treatment with Juvederm Voluma. It is my experience that younger patients with midface volume loss tend to have more dramatic results because skin elasticity is still intact. As we age, we acquire greater skin laxity and therefore require more filler volume.

What can I expect with treatment?

We begin the process with a compounded numbing cream applied for 20 minutes. Dr. Heather uses small needles and/or a microcannula to inject Voluma.The injections are virtually painless after the topical numbing cream and a gentle injection technique. You can return to your regular activities after treatment, however you cannot apply makeup or do vigorous exercise for the rest of the day to avoid contamination. 

What are the potential side effects?

According to the company that produces voluma, the most common side effects include temporary reactions at the injection sites such as tenderness, swelling, firmness, lumps/bumps, bruising, pain, redness, discoloration, and itching. Side effects are commonly moderate and generally last 2-4 weeks. It is my clinical experience that side effects are minimal, include mostly soreness and bruising, and last up to two weeks. 

If you’re interested in cheek filler yourself, you can schedule direct online through the website for a filler treatment or a complimentary virtual consult if you have questions.

Resources 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26218727/