Nobody ever has to live with a wrinkle they don’t want, thanks to Botox® and other fillers. However, wrinkles aren’t the whole story when it comes to aging. As the years go by, bone mass, muscle tone, fat stores and connective tissue elasticity cause visible volume loss in the mid-face.
“As people age,” explains Santa Monica dermatologist Dr. Ava Shamban, “Volume loss in the cheeks literally flattens the face as the cheekbones recede, the underlying fat pads wear away and collagen (connective tissue) production slows down. Consequently, having lost its structural support, the excess skin droops and sags downward towards the jaw line – not unlike a deflated balloon – resulting in unwanted folds and uneven contours.”
“While fillers and relaxers are remarkable,” Dr. Shamban continues. “What they haven’t been able to do is replace the volume in the cheeks that is the signature of a youthful face.”
Good news! Juvederm Voluma™ from Allergan, the innovators who brought us Botox, has just been approved by the FDA as the first filler specifically developed for the correction of age-related volume loss in the cheek area. Oh, to get those baby cheeks back! Rejuvenation professionals, including Dr. Shamban, are delighted to add this splendid new tool to their anti-aging arsenal.
Voluma is extremely dependent on the skill of the professionals who have mastered the technique of administering this new filler. The goal is to restore the natural contours of youth while avoiding the dreaded “fake” look that happens when fillers are placed incorrectly or overfilled. Dr. Ava says, “in our office, we start the treatment by photographing the patient from the front, side and semi-profile. We then carefully study the patient’s face to assess what products are needed and where exactly they have to be injected.”
Since Voluma injections are done with a very thin needle, it’s not all that painful. Temporary side effects are a slight swelling or light bruising, both which disappear within a couple of days. The pleasing results are noticeable right away but will really show up within about a week.
Personally, I can attest to Dr. Shamban’s superb technique and artistry. Looking through her book of “before and after” pictures and checking out the women leaving her office – they look great and natural. Nobody had that artificial, pulled look.
Voluma treatments range in price and it really depends on how much you require, what your particular doctor charges and what other injections you’re getting at the same time. Unlike normal fillers that usually last about six months, Voluma can last up to two years. And maybe that’s just the secret to getting your baby face back.
For more information about Dr. Ava Shamban and her treatments, log on to avamd.com or call 310 843-9915.
Jacqui