Are your cheeks starting to lose some of their volume and firmness? Perhaps they are starting to sag, or maybe you notice that lines are creeping across the surface as a natural result of aging. We all have some things we’d like to change about our look, but it’s not always obvious where you can turn. Fortunately, the experts at Murphy Plastic Surgery in Englewood, CO are here to help. We use several techniques to help restore volume to your cheeks, and one of the best options is a dermal filler called Juvederm Voluma.

What Is Juvederm Voluma?

This is just one of several different offerings from the Juvederm line of dermal fillers. The active ingredient in all varieties of Juvederm is hyaluronic acid. This is a naturally occurring substance that can already be found in your skin. Hyaluronic acid binds to water, allowing it to act as a hydrating element. It not only holds a thousand times its weight in water, but it also keeps that water from evaporating. Thus it adds volume to the skin by allowing it to retain water, which keeps it supple.

Voluma is specifically designed to restore a full, plump look to your cheeks. It is injected deep into the skin and thus can prevent sagging and contour your cheek lines. Because it works so deep in the skin, it can last longer than many other fillers; even other forms of Juvederm.

How Does Juvederm Voluma Work?

In the hands of a skilled provider, this type of Juvederm will reshape your cheeks to give them a fuller and more youthful look. Wrinkles will be smoothed out, and the angles and curves of the cheek will resemble those of someone younger. All this happens simply by restoring your cheek’s natural levels of hyaluronic acid, which gradually decrease as we age.

After the filler is injected, you will notice the results immediately. The Juvederm will take about two weeks to settle. As it does, the tiny droplets of hyaluronic acid will bind to the natural moisture in your cheeks and create a look that is full but also supple.

Some people worry that dermal fillers will cause their face to look artificial or strange. But because Juvederm works by harnessing this natural moisture in your skin, you will find that you have a completely organic look when you move or smile. This treatment will result in a new look that is eye-catching, but without sacrificing your natural beauty. These natural results are part of what makes Juvederm Voluma such a popular dermal filler.

What Exactly Is a Dermal Filler?

First-time patients often wonder how this all works. Although there are many dermal fillers on the market, there is quite a range when it comes to how they work.

The term “dermal filler” can refer to any of a number of injectables that add volume to your face. Some of these fillers achieve their objective by relaxing facial muscles. Others promote collagen growth instead. Others focus on adding volume through water retention.

Why Should You Consider Juvederm?

Juvederm’s use of hyaluronic acid makes it a wonderful, minimally-invasive option. It is also incredibly efficient. Injection sessions are very quick. With Juvederm, a single session might take just an hour. Results will appear right away, and in the case of Voluma, they can last for up to two full years.

Is It Better than Botox?

Just about everyone has heard of Botox. This particular treatment has been around for a long time, and even after quite a few years on the market, it remains very popular. Still, not all patients enjoy the same amount of success with Botox. Some might find that their results are not what they were expecting. Others believe that they may be developing a heightened tolerance to Botox that renders it less effective. In these instances, Juvederm can be a very popular option.

Is It Safe?

Juvederm has been reviewed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The FDA announced in 2006 that Juvederm was safe for use and that it would not cause any serious side effects. Because Juvederm relies on hyaluronic acid, which everyone has in their skin, it is suitable for almost anyone.

What Else Can Juvederm Do?

Although Voluma is designed for use on the cheeks, the other members of the Juvederm line are not restricted just to this one issue. Juvederm varieties can also be used to address:

• Sagging cheeks
• Unwanted wrinkles
• Nasolabial folds
• Frown lines
• Lip lines
• Marionette lines
• Worry lines
• Crow’s feet

A Closer Look at Other Juvederm Types

Juvederm has produced an amazing array of options with its line of fillers. Each type is specifically designed to work on a specific area.

Volbella

Do your lips need a little extra plumpness? Maybe you just want to get rid of some of your lip lines or perhaps smooth the areas around the mouth. If this sounds like you, then Volbella is perfect for you. It is designed for the unique challenges of the mouth and lips. Volbella can be injected into the lips or nearby in order to give them the shape and fullness you’ve always wanted. Results from Volbella often last for an entire year: longer than many other fillers.

Vollure

As we age, the lines and folds on our faces generally become more pronounced. Vollure works directly on these specific areas, softening them so they appear less noticeable. Vollure’s ideal target areas are nasolabial folds or parenthesis lines. Patients can continue to experience positive results from one Vollure injection for a year or even longer.

Ultra Plus

As you may guess from the name, Ultra Plus is a particularly strong version of Juvederm and is used for especially deep folds and lines on the face. Sometimes a particular line (a worry line, laugh line, or nasolabial fold) will become so pronounced that it requires a little extra help. If you find yourself in a situation where one set of lines is more difficult than others, then Ultra Plus might be just what you need.

So which version of Juvederm should you use? You may already have one picked out from these descriptions, but it’s important to consult with your provider to arrive at the right solution. An in-person consultation with our clinic will determine which exact filler is best.

Who Should Use Juvederm?

Juvederm’s main ingredient is a naturally-occurring substance, so the filler will work for most people. The hyaluronic acid is already in your skin, so the body will not treat it as a “foreign substance” in a manner that could trigger allergies. This makes it suitable for most people, and especially those with:

An Assortment of Goals

Most candidates who are ideal for Juvederm treatment are seeking to get a more youthful look. The details of these goals, however, can vary for each person. Some may want to add volume to cheeks or lips, while others might want to get rid of crow’s feet or worry lines.

A Desire for a Natural Solution

The best candidates for Juvederm want to soften facial lines that typically accompany aging. However, they want to do this in a way that is minimally invasive, natural, and organic. This appeals to most people, but there are a few cases where Juvederm may not be ideal. For the sake of caution, Juvederm is not recommended for women who are currently pregnant or lactating.

What Happens in Treatment?

There are several stages to getting a Juvederm treatment, and it starts with a consultation. This is followed by preparation (the time before the session). Next comes the treatment session itself, followed by a quick recovery period. After this, you may want to repeat the process in order to maintain your new look.

Your Personal Consultation

The first step in your journey is the staff consultation. Our staff will listen to questions and concerns; they will also ask you about your medical history. This consultation will help determine if Juvederm is the right treatment for you.

Preparation Phase

Before your session, it will be necessary to avoid aspirin for at least five days prior. Aspirin can complicate the treatment session due to its effect on the bloodstream. We advise that patients avoid Bayer or any other painkillers that contain aspirin.

Your Treatment

Patients are often surprised that the treatment session goes as quickly as it does. The results of a Juvederm treatment can last for over a year (and in the case of Juvederm Voluma, even two). But the injection session itself frequently goes by in just an hour.

After you get to our clinic, our staff will make sure you are comfortable and then begin to inject your desired type of filler into the treatment area. In the case of Juvederm Voluma, these injections will be into the skin of the cheek. Your dermatologist will administer multiple small doses in a way that ensures an ideal look once the filler has settled.

In order to make your experience more comfortable, most vials of Juvederm have been equipped with a small amount of lidocaine, which is a local anesthetic. We will check to make sure you have no allergy to lidocaine before starting.

After Treatment

Once treatment is over, you can resume most daily activities. However, for the first 24-48 hours, we advise that patients avoid certain activities that complicate recovery. These include:

• Drinking alcohol
• Visiting saunas
• Going to a tanning salon
• Sunbathing

Additionally, we suggest that you wait for two weeks before getting a massage, especially one that is near the treatment area. Massages can interfere with the distribution of the injections before they finish settling, leading to an imbalance in the final results.

Follow-Up Treatments

For most treatments, Juvederm may start to fade after about a year. If you are getting treatment in your cheeks, you may find that it lasts longer. Even so, there will come a time when your skin begins to absorb the hyaluronic acid, and a maintenance treatment will be necessary in order to maintain your results. In the meantime, you will be able to enjoy the fuller, plumper, and more youthful-looking cheeks you have been longing for.

Call for a Consultation

As we age, changes in appearance can cause many people to lose confidence or become frustrated with their look. But with Juvederm, you can finally find a solution that’s both natural and low-hassle.

Would you like to know more? We are waiting for your call and will work with you every step of the way. In the end, this is your face and your goals: you should look the way you want! We work to make sure that you are 100% satisfied with your results and that you walk out of our clinic with the look of your dreams. Call Murphy Plastic Surgery in Englewood, CO, today!