Are you struggling with the aesthetic challenges that come with aging skin–especially in and around your cheeks? Are you noticing a loss of volume, leading to a sunken or hollow appearance? Millions of people suffer from this exact problem, and for many years, it has been difficult for dermatologists to offer an effective solution: until now. Allergan, the same company that manufactures Botox, has developed Juvederm Voluma XC, which can restore natural-looking volume to your cheeks. You can find this treatment today at Plastic Surgery Specialists of South Florida in Hollywood, FL.
Juvederm is a specific brand of injectable dermal filler. When injected into a patient’s skin, this filler can restore volume in multiple areas, especially in the cheeks, lips, and folds or wrinkles on the face. There are numerous types of Juvederm, including Ultra XC, Ultra Plus XC, and Voluma XC–all of which we offer at Plastic Surgery Specialists.
This particular variety of Juvederm is specially formulated to treat volume loss in the cheek area of the face. Skin in the area of the cheeks can be very difficult to treat, as it is normally thicker than other areas of facial skin. This extra thickness requires a more robust filler than might be used to treat worry lines or moderate facial wrinkles. Juvederm has created this version of its filler to correct three major treatment areas.
The apples of the cheeks are among the most noticeable areas where volume loss can occur. They are the round areas that are pushed forward when we smile. In people with healthy and younger skin, they often appear full, but they can lose some of their rosy plump volume with age. When the filler is injected in this area, it can restore a vibrant and friendly-looking aura to the face.
If the apple is the “farthest forward” part of the cheek, the apex is the “highest” region. It comprises the cheek line that marks the boundary between the cheeks and the area under the eyes. This cheek line can lose some of its sharpness with age, resulting in a sunken look. With Juvederm, we can treat the apex with targeted injections that shape and contour the cheek line.
The hollows of the cheek often have the largest surface area: they cover the region under the cheekbone. If you “puff out” your cheeks, they are the areas that get large, and if you “suck in” your cheeks, they form dimples. When the volume in this area decreases, people often notice that skin laxity can increase. The cheeks can appear to sag or droop, but Juvederm can be used to refill these layers of skin and create a youthful fullness in the process.
There are several varieties of Juvederm, but they all operate on the same basic principle. Unlike Botox, which causes a decrease in wrinkles by relaxing underlying muscles, Juvederm actually adds volume to the layers of skin that have grown thinner with age. This volume loss frequently occurs as the result of a decrease in the skin’s natural reserves of hyaluronic acid.
Hyaluronic acid–or “HA”–is a polysaccharide that occurs naturally in all human skin. It helps us retain moisture by binding to water and delivering nutrients to areas that need it. It helps our skin heal, lubricates joints, and accomplishes many functions that keep our bodies healthy and running smoothly. However, we produce less of this HA when we age, and this age-related decrease is what causes hollow cheeks and wrinkles on the face.
The primary trait of HA is that it binds to water. In some cases, HA can retain roughly 1000 times its volume in water. When HA disappears from our skin, it doesn’t represent a significant loss of volume, but the decrease in water retention does.
Now the good news: it is possible to replicate HA and produce more of it artificially. When this artificially created HA is mixed into an injectable gel like Juvederm and reintroduced into the skin, it will start to bind to water in the same way that it would if it were naturally produced. Hyaluronic acid fillers usually require one to two weeks for the HA to settle, but after this point, the volume in the injected areas will be restored and sometimes even improved over what existed before.
Years of positive results and feedback have made this treatment the “go-to” filler for the cheeks. There are a few qualities that make it a definite standout.
When the first type of Juvederm filler originally came out in 2006, it was primarily used for nasolabial folds. These facial lines are the deep folds that are also known as “smile lines” and they couldn’t be treated as effectively with just Botox. After this early success, other Juvederm varieties followed. In 2013, Juvederm Voluma XC became the first FDA-approved filler to temporarily correct age-related volume loss in the cheek area. It remains the gold standard in restoring a natural-looking volume to all areas of the cheeks.
Juvederm Voluma XC is the longest-lasting variety of Juvederm, providing quality results for up to two years after the initial injection. The benefits of a long-lasting treatment are probably pretty obvious–you can save time and money by being able to wait longer before getting a touch-up appointment. You will experience the positive results for longer and deal with less hassle in the long run.
All versions of Juvederm are hyaluronic acid fillers, which are known for their natural results. Most of the volume is supplied by retaining additional water, which means that you can expect the injection to naturally plump up your face.
These days, any new versions of Juvederm that reach the market will include a local anesthetic. At the moment, this is lidocaine, which helps to numb the area of injection at the same time that the Juvederm is administered. By mixing lidocaine directly into the dermal filler, we are able to deliver both chemicals with just one injection, helping to create the most comfortable possible treatment session.
In addition to treating the cheeks, our medical staff also offers two other varieties of the filler. These alternative varieties are used to address other aesthetic concerns and can sometimes be used at the same time as a cheek treatment.
Ultra XC is a classic version of the filler that is often used for treating the lips. Ultra XC can provide an effective lip augmentation as well as treat lip lines that surround the mouth. Patients will usually experience ideal results for roughly one year after their injection.
Ultra Plus XC is a thick version of the filler, that provides quality treatment for deeper wrinkles and folds. It is especially useful in addressing nasolabial folds that may be moderate or severe. Positive results typically last for one year after injection.
Juvederm treatments are extremely efficient. These are minimally invasive, non-surgical treatments that require very little preparation or recovery time. Even the injection session itself is very quick, usually lasting between 20 and 45 minutes. If a patient is receiving injections in multiple treatment areas, the process may take a little longer, but it is still far faster than surgery and other similar approaches.
There is no downtime required with Juvederm, and patients routinely return to work on the same day. It is possible to resume almost all normal activities right away. Unlike surgeries that may require weeks of recovery, Juvederm allows busy patients to continue with their lives without taking large amounts of time off.
Most patients will see the results of injection on the same day as their treatment. However, it is important to know that Juvederm needs between one and two weeks to settle. The initial appearance immediately after treatment will change as the filler sets, and ideal results will only be apparent after one or two weeks.
When we meet to discuss your treatment options, we will go over our recommendations in detail. However, as a general rule, there are a few things that patients should avoid in the time surrounding their injection sessions.
Blood-thinning medications should be avoided for several days before and after treatment. These medications can cause a more difficult treatment and recovery because they alter the natural way that the blood flows. Patients are advised to find a different form of medication in the days close to their Juvederm injections.
Drinking alcohol can also change the way that blood flows and cause complications during treatment. Patients should avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours before and after their appointment.
Because Juvederm can take a week to settle, it is necessary to keep the area free from too much pressure. The effects of a massage can cause the filler to be moved around, resulting in an imbalanced look. Avoid massages for a week or two following the injection.
Patients should avoid exposure to too much direct sunlight, or to intense cold or heat, as this can disrupt the filler as it settles. Examples of things to avoid would include saunas, sun tanning, hot tubs, or cryotherapy.
Juvederm is well-regarded partly because it works successfully with so many skin types. In addition, it hardly ever causes any allergic reactions, as hyaluronic acid is a substance that is common to all skin types and already exists in the human body. Nearly anyone who wants the treatment will be able to get it, however, there are a few restrictions.
Juvederm is not recommended for pregnant or breast-feeding women. It is also not recommended for patients under 21, as the skin almost never requires this sort of age-related treatment. Finally, patients who are allergic to lidocaine (which is used in all current versions) should consider another treatment instead.
Before the actual injection appointment, our staff will meet with you to determine the absolute best treatment approach. We go over your medical history and ascertain that you have no obstacles to treatment and that you are not taking any medications that might interfere with treatment. During this time, we also are available to answer all of your questions about the effects and advantages of Juvederm.
Are you ready to reclaim a youthful look, and restore your younger, glowing skin with Juvederm? Our medical professionals are here to answer all your questions, and help you with every step of your journey. Call Plastic Surgery Specialists of South Florida in Hollywood, FL today and schedule your personal consultation!
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