2020 is here and what better time to start tackling your skin goals than with Hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a long-chain sugar present in the skin of young healthy individuals, it gives our skin a supple and dewy appearance. Dew – that fine liquid that provides moisture to nature. Now a dewy, hydrated look can be yours too! For years we have had the ability to rejuvenate the face by means of laser and dermal fillers (for example, Juvederm, Restylane, Belotero). These injectable gels can make you look less tired, less angry, and less saggy. Now, we can address the skin envelope itself to render it soft, moisturized and dewy, using a new ultra-fine filler called Juvederm Volite.
How Does Volite Work?
Juvederm Volite arrived in Canada last year. This treatment is designed to improve skin quality for 6 to 9 months. Volite is injected into the middle layers of the skin to nourish your skin from the inside out. It is made from hyaluronic acid, a natural part of our skin that can hold up to 1000 times its own weight in water. When injected, it results in overall better skin quality as it visibly improves elasticity and hydration as well as the appearance of very fine lines.
Am I a Candidate for Volite?
As mentioned, Volite delivers improvements in skin quality including smoothness (absence of fine lines), hydration and elasticity. In clinical studies, results were sustained at six months, where patients reported that they continued to see significant improvements in skin hydration and were satisfied with their skin. As with other injectable treatments, patients reported some expected issues including isolated bruising and temporary pain at the injection site. However, Volite was well tolerated and almost all patients (95%) were able to return to social engagements the day after treatment.
Like any procedure offered at Pacific Derm, we start with the science and ask ourselves two key questions: Does the product/device have sound scientific evidence to support its claims? Is the treatment safe and effective when administered to our patients? “Yes” is the answer to both these questions when it comes to Volite and all procedures provided at Pacific Derm.
How do we assess new technologies? We first try the products/devices on ourselves and our staff (willing staff!), to determine if we are able to appreciate the expected outcomes as reported in the medical literature. I must admit I was somewhat skeptical that Volite could deliver as promised. But in our hands it did and it does. The key is that you need to wait up to a month to see the benefits. To date, we have not seen anyone who hasn’t noticed a visible improvement in skin quality as a result of a Volite treatment.
The procedure itself is well tolerated. We apply a numbing gel to the skin approximately 30 minutes prior to the treatment to dull pain sensations. In addition, the Volite itself contains lidocaine, a numbing agent, to enhance comfort. The treatment itself takes between 20 and 30 minutes depending on where injections are placed. Volite can be used to improve the skin quality of the face, neck, décolletage, and hands. After treatment, there is little to no swelling but there may be mild redness and tenderness for a day or two.
We have found that to achieve an even better result, Volite can be combined with laser and other modalities to produce an even better outcome. A new year has arrived and your skin will thank you for bringing the dew back to it with Volite!