What is Voluma^®?

Like the other members of the Juvederm^® family, Voluma^® uses hyaluronic acid as its active ingredient. This molecule holds onto water like a sponge, so its natural role in the skin is to provide ongoing moisture that allows for a smooth surface and generous pliability. The human body makes hyaluronic acid, but this organic manufacturing process slows over time. As this valuable carbohydrate diminishes in the skin, wrinkles begin to develop. As aging continues, this same process happens with collagen production, a protein that provides a framework for hyaluronic acid and other elements, such as elastin.

Collagen loss, diminished hyaluronic acid, and the reduction or shifting of aging fat in the face can combine to drastically change the contours of the cheek area. The youthful round "apple" flattens, hollows develop, skin muscle and fat begin to sag past the jawline, forming jowls.

Voluma^® is different from other dermal fillers, in that it is a thicker gel-based formulation of hyaluronic acid that is FDA-approved for cheek augmentation. It is ideal for boosting volume in the cheeks, where it rounds out the cheekbones to correct the gaunt look of an older, thinner face. The physical volume also rebuilds the support framework necessary for keeping skin in a lifted position to improve smile lines (nasolabial folds).

Some studies have also demonstrated that the injection of hyaluronic acid fillers can stimulate the body's natural production of collagen, further contributing to the results over time. Voluma^® is also one of the longest-lasting FDA-approved fillers on the market.

Voluma^® Treatment Details

At the hands of an experienced facial injector, an effective Voluma^® session can be completed in one sitting. Injections are meticulously placed to ensure that volume is safely added only where it is needed most. Results are immediately visible but will continue to improve over time. Many of our patients have reported looking five years younger.

As with any injectable-based treatments, patients may experience slight bruising, redness, or discomfort at the injection site, but side effects are generally minimal and resolve quickly. The use of a cannula when placing Voluma^® significantly decreases these side effects. Patients who want to return for maintenance treatments normally do so after two years and will typically find that they need less Voluma^® with subsequent treatments to achieve their desired results.

More Information on Fillers Like Voluma^®

The other dermal fillers in the same family as Voluma^® (such as Juvederm^® Ultra, Ultra Plus, and Volbella^®) also use hyaluronic acid to boost volume in an aging face, with formulations intended for smoothing wrinkles, folds, and creases, and/or plumping thin lips.

A similar effect can be gained from injections of a patient's own refined fat, harvested via liposuction and used for facial augmentation in a process known as structural fat grafting.

For a longer-term solution that ultimately improves the aging face, patients may choose a facelift, which involves the surgical manipulation of the soft tissues of the face to lift sagging tissues and provide more youthful contours.