How Long Does Juvederm Voluma Last? Explained

What is Juvederm Voluma?

Juvederm Voluma is a smooth and colorless hyaluronic acid-based soft tissue implant that is completely biodegradable. Juvederm Voluma has one of the highest concentrations of hyaluronic acid at 20mg/ml and it contains fast acting 0.3% lidocaine for pain relief. The hyaluronic acid molecules are sourced via tightly regulated biofermentation before being extensively purified to get rid of potentially harmful contaminants. They are then processed via patented Vycross Technology, which results in a viscoelastic and long-lasting gel that can instantly volumize sunken facial areas.  

How is Juvederm Voluma injected?

A usual treatment session using Juvederm Voluma can be divided into three steps, as detailed below:

1. Before the Procedure: Just like any other medical procedures, the initial consultation session is reserved for assessing patients’ medical history. Presence of diseases like being allergic to one of the components in Juvederm Voluma or having a history of hypertrophic scarring make patients unsuitable to be treated with this soft tissue implant. Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding are also contraindicated from receiving Juvederm Voluma filler injections. Next, an extensive facial assessment must also be done to determine the severity of the dermal problem(s) and the degree of correction needed for adequate improvements. During this process, physicians must also educate their patients about the possible side effects that they might experience and the appropriate aftercare methods that they should observe in order to reduce the anticipated recovery time. Once their consent has been obtained, the patients can be prepared for the treatment session.
2. During the Procedure: The injection session starts by sanitizing and anesthetizing the proposed treatment areas. The viscoelastic hyaluronic acid gel is then administered in small amounts over the cheek area via deep (subcutaneous and/or supraperiosteal) injections. The injection technique and volume of filler varies, depending on the severity of the condition(s). Caution must be exerted to avoid injecting the filler material into the blood vessels.
3. After the Procedure: Once the cheek area has been successfully plumped and lifted, physicians should gently message the corrected area(s) to ensure that the implant molds seamlessly with the facial tissue contours. Any remaining injectable gel and used medical supplies must be discarded.

The entirety of the procedure must be done by licensed and experienced medical practitioners who strictly adhere to aseptic standards.

Aftercare methods

It is imperative that physicians teach their patients about the following aftercare methods that they should observe for the first 24 hours after the treatment session in order to reduce downtime:

1. Minimize participating in physically strenuous exercise for up to two weeks;
2. Minimize exposing the newly-treated areas to harsh sunlight and/or heat;
3. Avoid wearing makeup for the first 12 hours.

Failure to follow the aftercare methods may cause the treated areas to be red, itchy, and swollen.

Are the results from Juvederm Voluma immediate?

Yes, the outcomes are observable while the physician(s) are treating the problematic areas. Once injected, the viscoelastic gel instantly corrects any deep skin creases and sunken facial regions.

How long does Juvederm Voluma last?

Juvederm Voluma is renowned for its very long-lasting performance. In fact, it is the longest lasting hyaluronic acid-based filler; a single treatment session can provide skin volumizing and lifting effects for up to two years. This durable performance is made possible thanks to the chemical cross-linking between the hyaluronic acid molecules and the Vycross Technology that is used to process the injectable gel. Despite its long performance, this completely biodegradable gel will be gradually metabolized into the surrounding tissues. Hence, the exact residence time is influenced by patients’ physiological factors, such as their ages, the severity of their skin condition(s), and their lifestyles. The volume of implant used, and the injection technique employed will also affect the filler’s duration of action. Patients can get more filler implantations once the initial skin improvements subside.  

Can Juvederm Voluma be used with other dermal fillers?

Yes, Juvederm Voluma can be administered with other dermal filler for amplified aesthetic improvements. That being said, physicians must still avoid overcorrecting facial regions, as it could lead to bruising or unnatural-looking results. Not only that, patients are not advised to undergo Juvederm Voluma dermal filler implantation concurrently with other aesthetic procedures like microdermabrasion and chemical peels, as this can cause exacerbation of side effects. Patients must have a discussion about treatment methods with their physicians and should mutually agree on the best treatment methods in order to achieve the treatment goals effectively.

Is the treatment session painful?

Treatment session using Juvederm Voluma can be painful and uncomfortable, as it involves minimally invasive injections. In the Juvederm Voluma clinical study, research subjects rated injection pain an average of 3 on a 10-point scale, where 0 indicated no pain and 10 indicated the worst pain possible. However, since this ultra-volumizing implant comes with 0.3% lidocaine, a fast-acting anesthetic agent, patients will remain comfortable during the injection process. Patients with low pain tolerance may require additional topical or local anesthetic agents to further minimize pain and discomfort.