Juvederm Volbella is an Hyaluronic Acid injectable filler that Dr. Zuckerman uses for the correction of perioral lines (vertical lines above the lips). These lines are sometimes known as “smoker’s lines” although they may occur in non-smokers as well. Volbella can also be used for lip augmentation. This injectable gel is tailored to add subtle volume and to fill in fine lines. Like Voluma, Volbella contains Allergan’s newer Vycross® Hyaluronic Acid cross-linking and particle variation technology, but has a lower concentration of Hyaluronic Acid particles than other Juvederm products and a smaller particle size. These characteristics make it a more effective filler for fine lines around the mouth, with greater longevity and softness for the lips. Dr. Zuckerman will discuss with you which dermal filler to use at treatment and you are welcome to express a personal preference. Especially for lip augmentation, there are various options including the more popular Juvederm Ultra Plus XC, which is also made by the manufacturer Allergan.
Treatments & Uses of Volbella XC
As a board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Zuckerman has hundreds of hours of injectables experience andis an expert injector of Volbella XC. In his practice in New York City, the most commonly requested treatments using this injectable include:
Perioral Area Lip Fine Lines Treatment
Juvederm Volbella is most commonly used to fill in fine lines and wrinkles around mouth. It contains a smaller average molecular weight of Hyaluronic Acid particles than other related dermal fillers, which makes it less hydrophilic (tends to absorb less water) and allows it to add subtle volume. Learn more about Dr. Zuckerman’s Lip Fine Lines Treatment.
Lip Augmentation and Lip Fillers
Juvederm Volbella can be used to add volume to the lips, creating a soft fullness. Learn more about Dr. Zuckerman’s Lip Augmentation and Lip Fillers.
Important Aspects of Treatment
Volbella XC Treatment Longevity
Treatment results are seen immediately and last approximately 1 year to 18 months.
Volbella XC Recovery (Downtime)
Juvederm Volbella dermal filler injectable treatments involve little to no downtime, and patients often return to work immediately after a daytime treatment. There can be bruising for 1-2 days post treatment, which then subsides, , but most often Dr. Zuckerman is able to minimize or eliminate such bruising with his techniques.
Volbella XC Pretreatment Guidelines
A few precautions before undergoing Hyaluronic Acid filler injections are techniques to minimize bruising: no NSAIDs such aspirin or ibuprofen within a couple days before and a day after; don’t drink alcohol to excess a day before and a day after; refrain from lying flat or working out within 2 hours after injection. Makeup can be worn the day following treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Volbella XC
Both Juvederm and Volbella are Hyaluronic Acid fillers and are quite similar. Their main difference is in the thickness of the injectable gel and the tendency to absorb water. As the thicker filler, Juvederm absorbs more water, in technical terms is more hydrophilic, and is therefore able to provide a larger augmentation. Dr. Zuckerman may recommend Volbella for a patients who desire a relatively small amount of augmentation. However, he finds that even subtle augmentations can be done very well with Juvederm, which is a much more popular filler and has been on the market a significantly longer. On the other hand, due to its lower tendency to absorb water, Volbella may induce less unintended temporary swelling in the hours or 1-2 days post treatment. With either injectable, any post-treatment swelling resolves relatively quickly.
Volbella injections are not painful even though the perioral / lip area is especially sensitive, because Dr. Zuckerman applies a topical anesthetic before treatment and the injectable product itself contains lidcaine, an anesthetic. The patient feels little to no discomfort during injections.
If you visit Zuckerman Plastic Surgery for your injectable treatment, you can be certain that Dr. Zuckerman will recommend and perform the best treatment option for you in a safe and comfortable manner. In general, the use of injectable fillers has become so widespread that unfortunately not only may your injector not be a board-certified physician, if you undergo injections in a non-medical setting, an injector may have little formal medical training. Dr. Zuckerman recommends you visit a board-certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist for these injections (if you aren’t able to visit Zuckerman Plastic Surgery!). In New York City, there many options for injectables treatments, and many medical offices also offer injections by a registered nurse or physician’s assistant (PA), often at a lower price. These injectors are required to be overseen by a physician, so if you are considering these practitioners due to price, Dr. Zuckerman recommends that you confirm with the office ahead of time that there is a physician on the premises and inquire to what degree the physician oversees the injector’s activities.
Volbella is overwhelmingly safe, well-tested and approved by the FDA. However, the most common side effects reported are redness, swelling, pain, tenderness, firmness, lumps/bumps, bruising, discoloration, and itching at the injection- site.
In rare cases, patients may be allergic to lidocaine, Hyaluronic Acid itself, or bacterial proteins in the filler. Please inform Dr. Zuckerman if you have a severe allergies.
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