Even if you take good care of your skin and make healthy diet and lifestyle choices, it’s virtually inevitable that, eventually, you will develop some wrinkles. This is a natural part of aging, but that doesn’t mean you have to sit back and take it. At Bentley Skincare & Wellness & Wellness in Springfield, MO, we offer Juvederm’s Vollure, a product that can soften unwanted wrinkles.
How Does Vollure Work?
This filler is made with a substance called hyaluronic acid (HA). HA is a naturally occurring molecule that attracts water to your skin. In our youth, our bodies produce lots of hyaluronic acid. Unfortunately, as we get older, production slows and our tissues are no longer as plump and resistant to wrinkling and folding motions as they once were.
The Specifics
Vollure works by literally lifting the tissues. It does not add volume to your face from the outside but instead causes volume to increase from the inside. In the skin, hyaluronic acid not only supports water retention but also collagen production. It’s often referred to as a super hydrator because every molecule of hyaluronic acid is capable of holding 1,000 times its own weight in water molecules.
Most of us are aware of how important collagen is, but actually hyaluronic acid is the key component of our extracellular matrix. The extracellular matrix is the support system that lies directly underneath the skin that we can see and which holds that skin firm and keeps it supple. As hyaluronic acid production decreases, our extracellular matrix weakens, causing the skin to become looser and dryer. Dry, loose skin is susceptible to wrinkling from the effects of the sun and from the constant movement of our facial muscles.
In contrast, skin with high elasticity is able to bounce back and reshape itself easily in response to our normal facial movements. This is especially important in areas of the face where our muscles work constantly, such as around the mouth and nose. Vollure restores the elasticity, restoring our youthful expressions and look at the same time.
Collagen Synthesis
As mentioned, the extracellular matrix is made up of more than just hyaluronic acid, and collagen is very important. What’s great about this dermal filler is that the hyaluronic acid gel immediately gets to work increasing volume in your face and attracting moisture to the tissues. This means you leave your treatment with some great immediate results. But Vollure doesn’t stop there.
The best part of this treatment comes in the weeks that follow. The presence of the HA molecules signals to your body that it should produce more collagen and send it to these areas. This results in a natural improvement to the tone and texture of your skin, the strengthening of the extra-cellular matrix, and a refreshed and revived look for you.
Vycross Technology
You may have heard that this product features Juvéderm’s Vycross technology and wondered what that is. In the beginning, dermal fillers were made with HA that had a high molecular weight of 100%. The results were beautiful but very temporary. The body absorbed the hyaluronic acid fairly quickly.
Vycross technology works by cross-linking the molecules of hyaluronic acid in order to make them more durable. This means that it takes the body a lot longer to break down the product. This technology also makes the hyaluronic acid more effective because it’s more concentrated.
Why Higher Concentrations Are Important
When you have a higher concentration of hyaluronic acid, the result is greater lift after your injection. And, of course, the tighter cross-linking means that your treatment lasts longer. But there’s yet another reason that this high-concentration version of hyaluronic acid dermal filler is so effective. Because the product is made up of linked, concentrated molecules, it is extremely malleable. What this means is that it’s capable of delivering exactly the right shape to sculpt your face.
Some dermal fillers require quite a bit of force to move the filler exactly where it needs to go and contour the face. The formula just does not spread very easily. All the Juvéderm products, and Vollure in particular, are very easy to spread. This makes them simple to use and target, and they are very effective at addressing larger areas, like the nasolabial folds.
The Unique Qualities of Vollure
Although, in general, it’s a good idea to have a malleable dermal filler, it is possible for a dermal filler to be so thin and spreadable that it’s not very effective in certain areas of the face or on very deep wrinkles. For a long time, dermal fillers were thus made in two types: either thick or thin. Vollure is special because it hits the midway point between these two extremes. It’s thin enough to blend smoothly and easily, yet thick enough to target deep lines and folds. That’s why this product is able to address an area of the face that almost no other dermal filler can effectively soften: the nasolabial folds.
In the past, this area was generally addressed through plastic surgery, and surgeons would try to smooth out these folds by stretching the lower third of the face. Unfortunately, this tended to force the corners of the patient’s mouth upward, creating an unnatural-looking smile. Modern plastic surgery has gotten much better at dealing with this, however, people can still find that they have small smile lines even after plastic surgery.
Additional Uses
This product works very well on the nasolabial folds, but it also treats other areas. It’s perfect for addressing laugh lines, horizontal chin lines, and marionette lines. You can add volume to the lips, and it’s also particularly good at adding volume to the cheeks for a natural and well-blended look. One of the things people love about this treatment is the way it keeps the facial expressions and movements looking natural.
Vollure: An Effective Alternative to Surgery
If you want results that look natural but have no interest in surgery, this product is for you. It is able to effectively treat difficult areas and smooth the skin, and it lasts for quite a long time. Where some dermal fillers are absorbed six to 12 months after treatment, more than half of those people who are treated with this product are still satisfied with their results 18 months later.
When you come to see us for treatment, we will help you develop a treatment schedule that will allow you to keep your look. We will likely suggest that you repeat your treatment annually, but this can easily be switched to a biannual treatment depending on what’s right for you. The thing to know is that this product is long-lasting, particularly so when you remember that it requires no invasive surgery or extensive downtime.
What Is Treatment Like?
Treatment with this product is really quite simple. Can you come to see us and we will help you develop a treatment plan that will get you the results you’re looking for. We can also help you combine this treatment with other effective ones. This product has been approved for treatment for everyone over the age of 21, and there is no right age to start treatment. It all depends on your personal aesthetic and goals.
In general good candidates are over 21, have no allergies to lidocaine, are not pregnant or breastfeeding, and are in overall generally good health. Once you are cleared for treatment, it goes very quickly. We simply map out the parts of your face to treat and then numb the site so that you will be comfortable throughout treatment. Then takes just a few minutes for us to inject just the right amount of product at each particular injection point.
Aftercare
This is not an invasive treatment and does not have a recovery period. For the most part, you will be able to go right back to all your regular activities as soon as your appointment is over. The only things that you must avoid for the first day are the consumption of alcohol and strenuous exercise.
To keep your results lasting as long as possible, minimize your exposure to the sun, stick to a healthy skincare routine, and stay hydrated. If you’re not sure whether you have the right skincare products for your skin, talk to us.
Contact Us to Learn More
This product was designed to treat wrinkles and folds that other treatments simply can’t get. It’s ideal for getting rid of lines, plumping the lips and cheeks, and restoring your youthful look. It’s also safe and effective and suitable for most people, so if you’re ready to learn more, contact us today at Bentley Skincare & Wellness & Wellness in Springfield, MO to get started.