The Juvederm family of dermal fillers are a popular alternative to traditional, invasive cosmetic surgery for many people. In the past, collagen injections were one of the only options available for non-invasive treatments, but technological advancements in dermal filler treatments have ushered in a new generation of long-lasting injectables. Juvederm Voluma was the first dermal filler to be approved by the FDA. In this article, we take a look at your skin structure, how dermal fillers work, and particularly how Juvederm Voluma can help contour your cheekbones.
Your Skin: An Overview
A Layered Structure
The first two layers of our skin are called the epidermis and dermis. The epidermis is the outer-most layer that acts as a waterproof barrier to the outside world. It protects from exposure to ultraviolet radiation, harsh weather conditions, and intruders such as viruses and bacteria. As the first line of your body’s defense, it is the layer that takes the most damage over time.
The dermis is the second layer, and it’s flexibility cushions the body from minor impacts and day-to-day stress. It hosts the sebaceous glands, which produce the necessary oils that support the skin’s elasticity and strength. It also contains our hair follicles and sensory receptors that are responsible for the sense of touch, pressure, and pain.
Function of the Subcutaneous Layer
Moving deeper, we come to the innermost layer of skin, known as the hypodermis or subcutaneous layer. Consisting of fat and connective tissue, it acts as the body’s shock absorber. This area also contains blood vessels that help transport nutrients to keep the skin strong and healthy. In addition, its fat cells act as insulators and temperature regulators.
Effects of Aging Skin
The Epidermis
Unfortunately, as the first line of your body’s defense, the epidermis takes the strongest hit from sun damage, harsh weather, and drying effects – day after day, it never gets a break. As this layer becomes more thin as we age, the skin begins to look rougher and does not rebound as well from damage.
Notably, the epidermis also houses cells responsible for pigmentation. As we age, these cells can tend to reduce in quantity, and the remaining cells grow in size. This creates what is referred to as “age spots” on the skin. Another result of the epidermis layer stretching and thinning out, is that any existing scars will become more prominent.
The Dermis
The dermis is home to smaller blood vessels than the deeper, subcutaneous layer. These smaller vessels are more prone to damage as we age, causing the skin to bruise more easily the older we get. And perhaps more relevant to our appearance as we age, this layer is held together by collagen, and as a result it weakens as our collagen production slows.
The Subcutaneous (Hypodermis)
Interestingly, men and women see different effects in the subcutaneous layer of the skin. As our hormones change and shift with age, the sebaceous glands begin to produce less oil. For women, oil production slows during the time of menopause, which can increase skin dryness, itchiness, and sagging – the skin’s appearance can really “go downhill” in this life stage. Contrastingly, men typically don’t see a change in oil production until around 80 years of age.
As we age, this fat tissue levels in this skin layer will reduce, meaning there is less tissue to support the normal elasticity of the skin. The most common areas affected by this include the cheeks, nasolabial folds (lines from the nose to the corners of the mouth), chin, and surrounding areas.
How Do Dermal Fillers Work?
Dermal fillers are injected into the skin to replace lost volume and improve the appearance of facial contours. Note that there are several different types of dermal fillers. Typically, thinner fillers are injected into the upper dermis layer of skin, while thicker fillers are often injected into the deeper layers – the dermis or the subcutaneous layer.
The injection process is safe and common, often completed in less than an hour. There is minimal downtime and most people can resume their normal daily activities immediately. More good news, Juvederm Voluma is formulated with lidocaine to encourage a comfortable treatment experience.
What Kinds of Fillers Are Available?
In decades past, the main option for dermal fillers was collagen. However, technology has advanced the science of dermal fillers into an extensive variety of solutions for nearly every cosmetic need – you no longer need to settle for a one-size-fits-all approach. Today’s products are longer-lasting and promote long-term efficacy.
There’s a variety of main ingredient options available these days, including hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxyapatite, and poly-L-lactic acid. Everyone tolerates these chemical formulations differently, so exact duration of results is difficult to pinpoint. However, one of the main benefits of Juvederm Voluma is that it is typically effective for up to two years.
The Juvederm Family
As you may know, Juvederm features a wide variety of products. Hyaluronic Acid is the featured ingredient in this family of injectable fillers. The great news is that this chemical is already produced naturally by the body, so the Juvederm products are generally well-tolerated by all patients. The Juvederm family includes popular products such as Juvederm Ultra XC, Juvederm Ultra Plus, Juvederm Volbella, Juvederm Volux, and Juvederm Voluma.
Why Consider Voluma?
Hyaluronic Acid Formula Lasts Longer
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) consists of a chain of sugars that occur naturally in our skin. It is responsible for keeping the skin hydrated and can hold almost one thousand times its weight in water. Also, it helps to transfer nutrients necessary for giving skin its resilience and healthy appearance. This stimulates collagen production and enhances the skin’s healing capacity, helping to restore the youth-retaining qualities lost with age.
Juvederm’s special formulation of HA is enhanced by a technology that strengthens its molecular structure. This formula enhances its resistance to breaking down in the body, which makes it last twice as long as other hyaluronic acid products. This is one of the many reasons for Juvederm’s popularity.
Non-Intrusive
Many people opt for dermal fillers after they find that they are not good candidates for cosmetic surgery, or when they investigate the full details of cosmetic surgery. Because it is a simple and non-invasive treatment, most people tolerate it very well, with minimal chance for complications. Reactions to the treatment are uncommon since Juvederm’s hyaluronic acid is not animal-derived and it is a bio-chemical already naturally present in the body.
Even though treatment consists of a series of small injections, the lidocaine present in the formulation minimizes discomfort. In addition, the needles are very fine, which reduces the treatment surface area, increases accuracy, and minimizes pain.
Immediate Effects
Since hyaluronic acid is injected directly into the skin, its effects can be observed right away. It supports the underlying tissues, leveraging hydration to lift sagging, dull-looking skin. One treatment alone will make a noticeable difference as it instantly plumps the skin and restores elasticity and adds definition to facial contours.
Long-Term Benefits
In the past, collagen treatments and other dermal fillers broke down quickly. Typically, most treatments only lasted three to six months. With the advent of newer technologies, most leading fillers now last much longer.
The hyaluronic acid in Juvederm’s formulation goes through a process known as Vycross – a technology that links hyaluronic acid molecules together – making a much stronger molecular structure. This allows it to last up to two years in the body. In addition, Juvederm Voluma is smooth to inject, biodegradable, and reversible.
Can You Really Lift Your Cheeklines?
Juvederm Voluma is specifically designed to plump and firm the cheeks and the surrounding skin. It’s a more viscous formulation than other dermal fillers, and is therefore injected deeper into the dermis. This thickness keeps it from migrating, helping it stay in place and improve the contour of the upper and middle cheeks.
Are You a Candidate for Hyaluronic Acid Treatment?
If you are over 21 and are dissatisfied with your skin’s appearance, you are likely a good candidate for this treatment. Even if you are using other dermal fillers, peels, or laser treatments, Juvederm Voluma is compatible with most other dermal treatments. Your dermatologist or other medical professional will discuss with you the best way to coordinate your hyaluronic acid filler alongside other treatments you may be receiving.
What to Expect
Pre-Treatment
For several days prior to your treatment, it’s recommended to wear sunscreen outside and minimize sun exposure as much as possible. It may also be a good idea to put a pause on anything that may make your skin more sensitive, such as waxing, tanning, plucking, or bleaching. As you will be receiving injections, you will want to make sure your skin is as pristine as possible to avoid any unnecessary irritation.
If you frequently take over-the-counter pain relievers such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medicines or aspirin, it’s a good idea to limit these or stop taking them all together for several days prior to your treatment. These medications should be avoided when undergoing any kind of skin treatment because they can increase bleeding and/or bruising.
During Treatment
Most sessions last under an hour and require minimal preparation, other than the pre-treatment suggestions above. You may be offered a topical anesthetic cream to be applied prior to the injections. However, the lidocaine formulation acts as an effective analgesic, and most patients report very little discomfort during treatment.
A little redness is normal immediately after the injections are placed and can be alleviated with a simple ice bag to reduce inflammation. Some tenderness at the injection site can also be expected. To minimize the chances of bruising and swelling it is advised to avoid heat and exercise for at least 24 hours.
Post-Treatment
After treatment, it is a good idea to continue following the same courses of action you took in the pre-treatment stage. In addition, you may wish to avoid consuming alcohol for one or two days after treatment to discourage bruising. Despite these aftercare precautions, patients can typically resume normal daily activities immediately after treatment. The entire treatment process is so straightforward and non-invasive, that many patients have the their treatment before work, or during their lunch hour.
Proven Results
Studies have consistently shown the benefits of hyaluronic acid treatment, and its low-risk profile continues to rank it very high on the list of recommendations by dermatologists. And more great news – research also indicates that consistent use of hyaluronic acid fillers can improve the quality of the skin well into the future. Its presence in the deep layers of the dermis supports your own body’s own natural collagen production.
Conclusion
Because it is a thick, viscous gel, Juvederm Voluma is injected more deeply than other fillers. This reduces the chances of over-correcting, as the gel stays in place and tends not to migrate to unwanted areas. This means that the added volume to the skin remains longer and saves money, as fewer office visits are needed.
All in all, this treatment has been shown to be one of the smoothest, longest-lasting, and most cohesive of all hyaluronic acid fillers. Juvederm Voluma is ideal for adding volume to the cheekbones, which can be long-lasting, effictive and very natural looking. Licensed medical professionals can buy Juvederm Voluma at Health Supplies Plus. Join our online portal today for free and discover our low wholesale prices on genuine medical aesthetic products.