Most of us, if we’re honest, wish we looked a little different. It might be something we’ve dealt with all our lives, or it could be the effects of aging. Genetics play a part in the way we age, as does our lifestyle. If your lips are a source of self-consciousness, then at Rejuvalase Medical Spa in Santa Barbara, CA, we can offer Juvederm Volbella. This highly effective, non-invasive treatment can help you achieve all your lip-related appearance goals, quickly and painlessly.
What Is Juvederm Volbella Used for?
Volbella is one in a line of dermal fillers made by Juvederm. This elite, FDA-approved injectable line uses hyaluronic acid to stimulate collagen production and better hydration in the skin. Hyaluronic acid, or HA, is also produced naturally by our bodies, so products that use it tend to be highly compatible. The treatment simply dissolves away over time.
HA keeps the skin lubricated and hydrated, and through this and the stimulation of collagen production, it increases skin volume and suppleness. The different formulas in the Juvederm line are made with different molecule thicknesses so they work particularly well in different areas of the face. Juvederm Volbella is made to be used on the lips. It is made to restore lip volume, contour your lip shape, and create soft, perfectly natural results. It’s the perfect way to treat:
- Asymmetrical lips
- Thinning lips
- Lip shape and size
- Downturned lip corners
- Weak vermillion border
- Smile lines
How Does Volbella Work?
This treatment is a customizable one. We rejuvenate your lips by strategically injecting just the right amounts of filler into just the right places. This means we’ll do a series of small injections that sculpt your lips and enhance them. It’s as much artistry as science, which is why it’s so important to get treatment from professionals who understand both.
This injectable also uses Juvederm’s special Vycross technology, which keeps the molecules more durable. The result is that the treatment lasts longer, giving you excellent results for months at a time. It’s easy to touch things up when you want to refresh your look, though.
The filler is formulated with lidocaine, meaning this is a perfectly comfortable treatment. Your treatment starts with a consultation appointment where we will go over your concerns and work with you to create a treatment plan that gets you the natural look you want with the enhancements you crave.
Tell Me More About Lip Enhancement
Perhaps you’ve never thought about enhancing your lips before. If that’s the case, let us tell you about it! Lip enhancement refers to any treatment that changes the size, shape, or volume of your lips. In the past, there were issues with these treatments. Specifically, they didn’t look (or feel) very natural! The good news is that Juvederm has changed everything with this product! Because of the way the filler works and the specially formulated HA it uses, it delivers flawlessly natural results when injected by a skilled practitioner.
You might be wondering why it is that you would even HAVE lip-related issues, and it’s a good question. For many of us, our lips begin to thin as we get older. This can make us look “tight-lipped,” which is a look most people associate with frustration, anger, or disapproval. Other people have naturally thin lips due to genetics. Still others have what we call a “gummy smile,” where their lips show more of their gums than they should. And sometimes, what frustrates us the most is just the “little things,” like lipstick lines, weak vermillion borders, and lower lip volume. All these issues can be addressed with Volbella!
What to Expect
We’ve already talked about the need for a consultation, but with that out of the way, there’s very little you need to do to get ready for treatment. If you have a cold sore or fever blister in the area, you’ll need to wait two weeks before treatment. And, for a few days, you’ll need to forgo certain blood-thinning medications and supplements, like aspirin and St. John’s Wort. But we’ll discuss all that with you at your consultation.
It only takes 15 to 45 minutes for an appointment, and the total time will depend on how much you need to be done. For most people, one syringe of product is plenty to address lip concerns. We’ll offer you a numbing cream, if you’d like, and if you choose the cream, we’ll wait a little while to give it time to take effect.
Once your treatment is complete, you can go about your normal routine. You just need to avoid strenuous exercise and direct sunlight for a few hours. If you want to go back to work, go home and rest, pick up the kids from school, or head for an evening with friends, you won’t have to rearrange your schedule for treatment. If there are any other post-treatment instructions that are specific to you, be assured that we’ll talk about them with you in advance!
When Will I See Results?
You’ll see your first results immediately. When you leave our office, you’ll already have the lips you want in many ways: plush, refreshed, moister, and plumper. If you’re looking primarily for wrinkle-fighting effects, you’ll notice fewer wrinkles right away and even more smoothing in the next day or two.
Your final results will last at least a year, and for some people, they even last longer. It all depends on your unique physiology. If your body metabolizes the product quickly or slowly, if you smoke, or if your body is better (or worse) at building collagen, you may see a different longevity pattern than a friend. But getting a touch-up appointment is simple and quick.
Can I Do Anything to Protect My Results?
The good news is: yes! Sunlight is the enemy of your skin. Sunlight breaks down HA and collagen, so if you spend a lot of time in the sun, you’ll see your results fade more quickly than they otherwise would. If you do go out in the sun, be sure to use lip products that contain SPF 15 or higher protection.
Your lifestyle and exercise routine will also affect your results. Obviously, exercise is good for us all. However, too much exercise can raise your metabolism to such a high degree that it actually starts metabolizing the HA too quickly. That’s why we suggest you don’t exercise for the first 24 hours after treatment. After that, feel free to go back to your routine: just be aware that if you’re a real exercise enthusiast your results might last a little shorter time than they would for a less active person.
Finally, stress is a real skin-killer (you already know that). Stress causes our skin’s collagen to break down more quickly than it otherwise would. We would all love to have more control over our stress, and often we can’t. But if you can do things to lower your stress, like take up meditation, do so! It will be good for the longevity of your lip treatment as well as your overall health.
Am I a Good Candidate?
Most people who are over 21 and who don’t have a history of severe allergic reactions make good candidates for this treatment. You will need to wait a few months if you’re currently pregnant, but there’s not much else that can keep you from having treatment. Because HA occurs naturally in our bodies, it’s rare for anyone to have an allergic reaction to Juvederm products.
The best way to find out for sure if this is the treatment for you is to come to talk to us. We’ll discuss your medical history and goals and help you devise a treatment plan. In general, you’re a good candidate if you want to:
- Refine smile lines
- Restore lip volume
- Contour lip shape
- Fix asymmetry
- Smooth lipstick lines
- Increase lip size
- Correct downturned corners
What About the Other Juvederm Injectables?
Juvederm is the most popular and reliable filler treatment line in the world. Every day, thousands of people use these products to treat their appearance concerns. Both patients and their treatment providers trust this line. In addition to Volbella, the Juvederm collection includes products like:
Juvederm Ultra XC
This may be the most versatile of all the fillers in the collection. It’s designed to treat fine lines and wrinkles and loss of volume to the cheeks and under the eyes. It is especially effective at restoring volume and contouring the face to achieve a specific, more youthful appearance. This product typically lasts about six months.
Juvederm Vollure XC
Vollure is for those who have more several age-related issues or more extensive appearance goals. This is a thicker get that can address more severe wrinkles, and it is particularly effective in those areas where we tend to make a lot of movements, like around the nose and mouth. This product typically lasts about 18 months.
Juvederm Voluma XC
This filler is also made for more moderate or severe wrinkles and for mid-face volume loss. This product is specifically good for addressing issues in the temples, jowls, and cheeks. These areas have a tendency to appear gaunt and thin as we age, making us look older than we may feel. This filler also works well in the jawline and chin.
Juvederm Ultra Plus XC
This powerful and effective filler is used for many age-related skin concerns, from wrinkles and lines to skin laxity. The results usually last six to nine months. This product is useful for many areas of the face.
Is Volbella My Best Option?
Other fillers can also be used on the lips, but this product from Juvederm offers a particularly natural, subtle result that patients love. You might want to make this your choice, depending on your needs and goals, but we’ll help you decide on the right treatment for you when you come to see us for a consultation.
Restore and Enhance Your Lips Today!
The lips are a key focal point of the face. We use them to communicate in a variety of ways, from smiling and talking to even kissing. Our lips are part of who we are, and it’s natural for us to want them to look a certain way. If genetics and aging have changed your lips in ways you don’t like, it might be time to do something about it. Contact us today at Rejuvalase Medical Spa in Santa Barbara, CA and set up an appointment for a consultation. We can’t wait to help you get started!
