FDA-approved Voluma: the latest in anti-aging treatments
The search for new and improved anti-aging techniques and procedures is seemingly never-ending, with the latest innovation now available in the United States. Numerous US spas and dermatologists are now featuring FDA-approved product Juvederm Voluma, designed to slow some of the most notorious signs of facial aging.
Juvederm Voluma was created by Allergan, the company responsible for Botox, Latisse, SkinMedia and Natrelle Breast Implants.
This dermal filler reportedly works by "plumping" sagging or hollow cheeks via deep cheek injections. Similar products often require regular booster shots to maintain a youthful look, but Voluma's creators say their product lasts for up to two years.
"So, the goal is to restore volume right in here [the cheeks]. This product is meant to be deep, right down in the deep structure of the face," Dr. Michael Kluska, of The Center for Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, told CBS News Pittsburgh.
The board-certified plastic surgeon was also asked if Voluma will eradicate the need for face-lifts.
"If we can restore volume within the cheeks and what we call the malar region, that may prolong or eradicate the need for a facelift in certain situations," Dr. Kluska said, also nothing the product's "magic ingredient" is hyaluronic acid.
"It's a product that mimics our own collagen and if we can do that, the body does not recognize it as foreign and the product lasts longer," he said.
Voluma is also a much cheaper procedure than a face-lift, with the latter costing anywhere from $6,500 to $8,500. A cubic centimeter of Voluma costs $825, with users generally receiving one centimeter per cheek. Temporary side effects include swelling, bruising, discoloration, redness, itching, pain, tenderness and bumps, but the company says these issues generally resolve themselves after two to four weeks. Users should be able to resume normal activities after 24 hours.
The dermal filler has been used in other countries for years, but FDA approval for the US was very recent. US spas currently offering Juvederm Voluma include Laser Clinique in San Diego, CA; Forever Young Med Spa in Fort Lauderdale, FL; Blue Giraffe Day Spa and Salon in in Ashland, OR; Lakes Dermatology & The Spa in Las Vegas, NV; The Skin Spa in Newnan, GA and Blue Medi Spa in Sherman Oaks, CA among others.
