Does Voluma really last two years on cheeks? Are you able to achieve a softer look in the submalar area with one syringe each?

Voluma is a great product for the mid face.  I routinely choose Voluma for augmenting and lifting cheeks.  As well, it softens submalar hollows, but depending on the amount of correction, it can take a lot of voluma to soften those submalar hollows.  For pronounced submalar hollows in thin faces, I often use sculptra.  Sculptra's effect is a softer, more gradual, lifting effect.There are studies to show that voluma should last 2 years.  The real question is how long before you will desire a touchup.  That really depends on how quickly you are aging.  The amount of time it takes before a 25 year old needs a touchup is much longer than the amount of time before a 60 year old needs a touchup.  If you go to an experienced injector, s/he will be able to explain what products will be the best for your particular situation.  

Thank you for your question. Voluma is an excellent choice for adding volume to the midface area. Voluma can last approx. 2 years and sometimes even longer. You will require an in person examination to determine the amount of product right for the desired outcome. Best,

You can have Voluma injected into the submalar and midfacial zones of the face after fat grafting. Its certainly a more reliable filler than fat grafting, but does not have some of the benefits that fat grafting offers (improvement of overlying skin appearance etc)

During my fellowship training in Los Angeles, I saw patients from the initial Voluma trial who were maintaining correction for significant durations beyond 2 years. Derek Jones was the lead investigator on that trial and was one of my faculty members at UCLA, he had great insight to the product. The initial trials used more volume of product than most people use today in clinical practice, and the trials looked specifically at the midface, but when they got towards their initial endpoint the FDA realized that people were maintaining their correction and had Allergan extend the follow up to 2 years. That is where the often quoted two year duration comes from, but it is definitely longer in a significant number of people. 

Thank you for your
question about VolumaIn our experience, it takes a minimum of two syringes per side.We began injecting Voluma at our practice in January 2014. We will let you know if it lasts 2 years in our patients.

To be sure, see
two or more board-certified plastic surgeons in your area for a full and
complete evaluation to make sure you are a good candidate and that it is safe
for you to have Voluma.

I hope this helps.

Thank you for the question. You are correct, Voluma is used in the cheek region and can add some softness (i.e., improve the sunken in appearance) of the submalar region. In addition, it can be used to augment the cheekbone highlights. In my experience, most patients need one syringe per side. For severe volume depletion, it is possible that an additional syringe would be used. Rather that using excessive amounts of Voluma, however, I tend to layer the fillers.  For example, Voluma would be used deep down, along the bone, and then Juvederm or Restylane can be used more superficially in the nasolabial folds region or the hollows under the eyes. Best of luck moving forward!

We quote the "2 year" from the medical study that compared Voluma to to no Voluma in patients. Both patients and physician reviewers saw some difference in 85% of patients at 1 year and 66% at two years. Each individual patient will vary based on how they metabolize (break down) filler and how much is used. More than 1 cc was used in all study patients.For hollow mid-face, many physicians prefer to use Sculptra, also reported to last 2 years after three treatments.

The longevity of Voluma really depends on the number of syringes used and how quickly your body metabolizes the product.  The studies conducted showing a longevity of two years used 6+ syringes.  Of course, not everyone needs this amount.  How much you need will depend on how much volume you have lost in the submalar region and if you are also looking to accomplish a lift using Voluma.
Dr. Sunanda Chugh, NYC

Volumais a good filler option if you need to add up some volume or lift the lateraland midsection of your cheek. Due to the formulation technology unique toVoluma, it can help provide greater lift as compared to other kinds of fillers.Aside from providing better lift, it also gives a very natural appearance assoon as the full effect kicks in. Voluma also feels a lot firmer immediatelyafter the injection treatment. This is also true for the succeeding days.
As forthe effectiveness duration, studies have been made even before the FDA approvedit. These studies have shown that Voluma has a longevity lasting for a coupleof years.
Interms of amount, carefully injecting a 1cc syringe will be enough to providenoteworthy correction in one area, for instance in one cheek. However, you mayalso take note that a variety of fillers may be used per session to correctdifferent issues in different locations. This is because a specific filler ismore effective in correcting a specific location compared to others or otherfillers cannot be injected in the area. To know more about what should be usedand how much, you should undergo thorough physical exam and assessment. Be sureto look for a board certified plastic surgeon to guarantee that you are workingwith only the best. This will also minimize possible after effects. Hope thishelps you out!

I have just studied Voluma vs Restylane Lyft in a "Cheek Challenge". My findings at one year was that there was minimal (10% or less) correction at 12 months on either side. I used 3cc on both sides, so this was cosistent with the median number of syringes used in the study. I just don't think HA fillers last much longer than 12 months. It has a very low G prime as well, so it's lifting ability is lower than Restylane, and much lower than Lyft. See link for video.