Volbella®

A dermal filler, Volbella^® is made of hyaluronic acid molecules that have been cross-linked to create a smooth gel. Manufacturer Allergan has developed this proprietary process over years of research and practical application, using it as the basis for all of the dermal fillers in the Juvéderm^® family. Different “weights” of molecules are used for specific fillers, giving each a unique property and focus. Though all of the Juvéderm^® fillers are a clear, injectable gel, some are more suited for doing the “heavy lifting” of adding volume to the midface. Others, such as Volbella^®, are better suited for finer, more subtle adjustments to facial contours and tone.

Because Volbella^® is made of hyaluronic acid, and even though the molecules that make it up are formulated in a lab instead of the human body, the body still recognizes and accepts it, gradually absorbing it. This means the cosmetic results will fade over time, with the effects no longer as ideally visible after about 12 months.

Volbella^® also contains a small amount of lidocaine, which is an anesthetic to help with a patient’s comfort during a treatment session.

Since it holds onto water, hyaluronic acid is a carbohydrate responsible for moisturization and lubrication throughout the body. Hyaluronic acid and the protein collagen work together in the skin to keep it looking smooth and young, so their gradual loss is what prompts the development of certain wrinkles, including lines around the mouth. Similarly, once–full lips can thin over time as collagen is lost. This breaking down is a natural part of aging, but it can also be hastened by exposure to ultraviolet radiation from sunlight.

The problem becomes most apparent when the breakdown of hyaluronic acid and collagen outpaces the natural replacement of these key molecules. This typically begins when a person is in their 20s, and grows more pronounced into the 30s and 40s.

Perhaps the most noticeable side effect of this skin shift is the development of what are known as static wrinkles, as opposed to dynamic wrinkles. While dynamic wrinkles are the result of muscles beneath the skin pulling it over and over again into furrow–forming shapes, static wrinkles appear as skin begins to dry out and grow less elastic. Around the mouth, these wrinkles can take the form of what are known as lip lines.

Collagen and hyaluronic acid are also key elements in youthful, plump lips, so a reduction in both can also cause lips to grow thinner and less full.

Volbella^® serves to temporarily replace the volume lost when collagen and hyaluronic acid levels drop. It can also add volume to lips that have never been particularly full in the first place.

Volbella^® is injected into the lips or the area around the mouth with a fine needle. The process takes about 15 minutes. Dr. Turner and her team of medical aestheticians are experienced with a wide variety of injectables, including Juvéderm^® products, as well as the intricacies of the aesthetics of the face. Their experience means they can tailor each treatment to the individual patient, offering uniquely natural–looking results.

*Individual results may vary

The volumizing results of Volbella^®—both in treating lip lines and creating fuller lips—can last up to a year. Over time, the body naturally absorbs and processes the hyaluronic acid in the filler. Patients can return for periodic maintenance injections of Volbella^®, when they tend to find that less of the filler is needed to get the same results.

Dr. Turner’s team has used the .55cc syringe size since Volbella^® first launched, since only a small amount of filler is needed for the desired results. More recently, Allergan also began offering 1cc syringes, with more filler available to treat larger areas and create more distinctive results. The effect is still intended to be subtler and less dramatic than the volume possible with other fillers, most of which already come in 1cc syringes. With two syringe sizes to choose from, however, there are now multiple options for patients. This allows for even more customizable treatments to suit a wider range of cosmetic goals.

If you want a change to your lips or face and are considering a treatment, you do not have to figure out on your own which filler and dosage would be best for you. That’s what a consultation is for! We will assess your face, listen to your goals, and work together to establish which treatment (and how much) would be best. Our recommendation may indeed be Volbella^®, or it could be a different filler, injectable, or combination of treatments.

Allergan does make other Juvéderm^® fillers that can be used to add volume to the lips, but these are more intended for patients who want a significant increase. While a thicker gel can boost volume to noticeable levels, Volbella^® is made with more subtle results in mind. Anyone who wants to give their lips just a little something more is encouraged to consider Volbella^®, and to discuss its specific benefits and features with a member of Dr. Turner’s team during a private consultation.

As a dermatologist, Dr. Turner is focused solely on the health and beauty of the skin, and she leads a team of medical estheticians who meet her high standards of care and results. This is especially important when it comes to dermal fillers, since a skin–focused medical professional with special training and experience in Volbella^® is the ideal person for delivering superior results. Lip augmentation, especially enhancement intended for a subtle increase, should be handled by someone with an artistic eye and the knowhow necessary to inject only the right amount exactly where it is needed. Someone with more general medical knowledge may be more likely to overfill the lips and create an unnatural look.

Choosing Volbella^® at a dermatology practice maximizes both safety and results, with patients knowing they can trust their injector to be someone devoted to this treatment and others like it.

Besides Volbella^®, manufacturer Allergan also makes dermal fillers to add volume to other areas of the face. Dr. Turner offers Juvéderm^® for smoothing out nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and—just like Volbella^®—corner and lip lines. Voluma^® is used to add volume to the mid–face, where its disappearance over time leads to harsher angles, flattened areas or hollows, and sagging.

Aside from Allergan’s offerings, other manufacturers also make dermal fillers, including Restylane^® for lip augmentation and smoothing out nasolabial folds. Like Volbella^®, the Restylane^® formula is based on hyaluronic acid. Another filler, Radiesse^®, makes use of calcium hydroxylapatite to stimulate collagen production. This strategy is also shared by Sculptra^®, a lactic acid-based injectable that also stimulates collagen for lasting cosmetic effects even after it has been absorbed into the body.

Injectables available outside of the realm of dermal fillers include BOTOX^® for preventing muscles from contracting and forming wrinkles, and Kybella^® for rupturing the fat cells that cause a double chin.

For more collagen–stimulating options, consider laser skin resurfacing, micro-needling, and even chemical peels. Any of these treatments can be chosen to complement the results of a lip–boosting Volbella^® session.