A natural part of the aging process is the development of hollow, sagging cheeks. Luckily, it is convenient to reverse this age-related change. At Adoro Medical Spa in Severna Park, MD, we offer Juvederm Voluma to help our clients restore volume and firmness to the cheeks. Keep reading to discover how this incredible anti-aging treatment can restore the appearance of youth to your midface, how long the results last, and much more.
How Long Does Voluma Last?
You may be pleasantly surprised with how long the results of this treatment last if you have tried other anti-aging injectables in the past. Most injectables only provide results that last for a couple of months. Therefore, frequent maintenance sessions are required to maintain the ideal results.
On the other hand, the results of this treatment are quite durable. Again, individual results will vary due to differences in metabolism, volume loss severity, age, and other factors. However, you can generally expect the results of this injectable dermal filler to last 24 months. Therefore, you can go over a year without thinking about needing a maintenance session. We recommend scheduling a follow-up appointment two years after your first appointment for continuous results.
How Quickly Can I Expect To See the Results of My Treatment?
You can expect to see the results of this injectable product very quickly. Individual results vary, but most people are happy with the improvements that are noticeable as soon as the treatment is over. Additionally, the full benefits of this treatment can be seen in 10 to 14 days.
How Many Sessions Are Required for Ideal Results?
One thing that sets Juvederm products, including Voluma, apart from other dermal fillers is how beneficial a single treatment session is. Even if you have extreme volume loss and skin sagging in your cheeks, you should only expect to need one treatment session to achieve your ideal results.
Why Your Cheeks Change Over Time
The older you get, the more likely you are to notice that the appearance of your cheeks is changing. In fact, one of the first regions of your body to show the signs of aging is the cheeks. Hollow, sagging cheeks can be extremely frustrating because your midface is such an important part of your overall aesthetic.
When your cheeks start to show the signs of aging, you may even look older than your chronological age. You may look chronically, sad, tired or upset when your cheeks sag. Numerous factors affect why your cheeks change as you get older.
Collagen Loss
Collagen is a mesh-like protein that plays an essential role in keeping your skin looking attractive and young. The older you get, the less of this protein your skin can produce. Additionally, excessive sun exposure can damage your existing collagen and slow your skin’s ability to produce new collagen.
Thus, your skin is weaker and more susceptible to the effects of gravity and other aging signs as you age due to more UV exposure. Over time, it is only natural for your facial features, including your cheeks, to sag and droop.
Fat Loss
Your body fat distribution changes as you age. By the time most people enter their 30s, they lose facial fat. As facial fat loss occurs, the cheeks often take on a hollow appearance. It can be incredibly difficult to correct changes in the cheeks. Many skincare products, such as so-called volumizing creams, do not provide any meaningful improvements. Certain anti-aging procedures, such as facelifts, are often successful and safe.
However, not everyone can afford to undergo a complicated procedure to gamble that natural-looking improvements will be achieved. These procedures aren’t just expensive. They also require you to take several days or weeks off from work to recover. Luckily, you can receive a safe, affordable, convenient anti-aging treatment and be back to work the same day. You don’t have to undergo an expensive, complicated cosmetic procedure or waste money on ineffective cosmetics.
What Can I Expect During My Treatment Session?
One of the most advantageous aspects of this powerful injectable is the treatment is so easy to receive. In fact, people often report they are pleasantly surprised by how easy the session is to complete.
During your treatment session, we will sanitize the treatment area with rubbing alcohol and administer the injectable into strategic points within the treatment area using a syringe and sterile, very fine needle. While each treatment is unique, the process us usually over very quickly. You should expect to feel completely comfortable throughout the injection process.
Is This Treatment Painful?
No, this treatment is not painful. Additionally, it is not uncomfortable. We offer Juvederm formulas ending with “XC.” XC notes the inclusion of lidocaine, an injectable numbing medication in the formula. Lidocaine offers many advantages over other numbing medications. For example, it starts to work in seconds. Thus, you’ll feel a bit of pressure as the first dose of Juvederm is injected into the foundational layer of your skin; you won’t feel anything else for the rest of the treatment.
Additionally, despite keeping your treatment area numb throughout the session, it is safe to drive after you receive this type of anesthetic. Moreover, by the time you get back to work, you will be able to move your face freely. Finally, we’d like to reiterate it is incredible how quickly this injectable anesthetic starts to work. Other anesthetics take between 15 to 60 minutes to start working and treatment can’t begin until the treatment area is numbed completely.
How Long Will My Treatment Session Take?
This highly effective treatment isn’t just easy to receive and comfortable. It is incredibly convenient. As noted above, you won’t have to wait 15 to 60 minutes for a topical anesthetic to numb the treatment area fully. Rather, your treatment begins as soon as we have cleaned the treatment sites and marked the injection points. All told, you should expect your treatment to take somewhere between 25 and 60 minutes to complete.
How long your treatment session will take depends primarily on the severity of your cosmetic concerns (which affects the required dosage) and the number of cosmetic concerns you are treating. We can give you a better idea of how long your treatment session should take when you come in for your primary evaluation. Your anti-aging treatment session may take closer to 90 minutes if you are augmenting and lifting your cheeks and using other injectables to treat other concerns.
What Should I Expect During My Recovery Process?
You should expect your recovery process to be just as easy as your injections. For the most part, you won’t have to refrain from your usual activities. You will certainly not need to take time off from work after your treatment is over. Rather, you may meet almost any obligation that may be scheduled for the day. That said, there are a few easy-to-follow rules that will apply to you during your recovery period.
For example, you must avoid exposure to heat or strong sunlight for 24 hours after your injections. Part of avoiding heat exposure is refraining from strenuous exercise that will cause you to break a sweat. Additionally, you should not drink alcohol and it is highly advisable that you refrain from smoking. We will discuss post-treatment care steps with you during your initial consultation.
What Is the Difference Between Juvederm and Botox?
While both Juvederm and Botox are manufactured by Allergan, they function in completely different ways. The difference between Juvederm and Botox is that Juvederm contains the active ingredient hyaluronic acid. Botox contains the active ingredient botulinum toxin type A.
Botox
Botox doesn’t improve the appearance of your skin using hyaluronic acid. Rather, this injectable enhances your skin’s appearance through a bacterium known as Clostridium botulinum. The toxic protein produced by this bacterium disrupts communication between the brain and nerve endings in the area targeted for treatment.
This disruption prevents excessive muscle contracture, relaxing the muscles. Once the muscles are relaxed, the skin above the muscles is relaxed and dynamic wrinkles disappear. This injectable can also address medical concerns, like migraines.
Good Candidates for Botox
If you have cosmetic concerns caused by overly dynamic muscles, there is a good chance you will be considered a good fit for Botox. However, we must review your medical history and talk about your current health to ensure there are no potential contraindications. Additionally, we will need to discuss all of the medications and supplements you have taken in the past two weeks. Certain sleep medications, and other drugs and supplements can affect Botox injections.
Combining Injectables
It is possible to benefit from combining Juvederm and Botox if you have dynamic and static (volume loss-related) wrinkles. When you come in for your primary evaluation, we will review all of your cosmetic concerns and identify the cause or causes of them. Botox will be recommended if you have dynamic wrinkles.
One or more Juvederm products will be recommended if you have concerns related to volume loss. We will also discuss all of your options with you thoroughly and review your past and present health to ensure you are a good candidate for these powerful injectables.
Is This Treatment Right for Me?
A primary evaluation is required to determine whether you are a good candidate for this injectable dermal filler. You will probably be considered a good candidate for this treatment if you are at least 21 years old and have significant volume loss in your cheeks, have sagging cheek skin or wish to improve the contours of your upper cheeks. In contrast, if you are displeased with the aesthetic of your cheeks and you’re not 21 yet, you should wait until you’re 21 to consider this cosmetic treatment.
This treatment is most commonly sought by clients who are at least 35 years old because most healthy individuals don’t have skin that metabolizes hyaluronic acid faster than it is produced until they are 30. That said, a number of factors can cause people who are otherwise healthy to experience premature skin aging, such as nicotine consumption, excessive alcohol consumption, or chronic unprotected sun exposure.
Discover for Yourself the Power of This Effective Injectable
You don’t have to live with sagging cheek skin. With Juvederm Voluma, you can restore volume to your midface and lift sagging cheek skin. This results in a youthened, more attractive countenance. To discover the power of this effective injectable for yourself, contact us today at Adoro Medical Spa in Severna Park, MD if you are in the Annapolis, Columbia, or Severna Park area.
