What is Juvéderm Volbella® XC?

Fuller lips have never been more popular, but when patients are considering lip fillers for the perfect pout they typically still want them to remain somewhat natural. Juvéderm Volbella® XC was developed to create a subtle fill for the lips, as well as the vertical lip lines commonly referred to as “smoker’s lines”. Juvéderm Volbella XC still has a hyaluronic acid base, but in this formulation the consistency is softer and less structured than previous formulas.  It is also designed to induce less swelling than some of the other products in the Juvéderm family which is why it is designed to be injected more superficially into fine line and wrinkles, even those that occur outside of the perioral area (area around the mouth).  This property also makes it much more amenable to injecting into the tear troughs in the lower lids since the overlying skin is quite thin and fillers that tend to attract more water and have a thicker property can cause swelling and blue discoloration of the lower lids, known as a Tyndall effect, which can make the lower lids even puffier and darker in discoloration.

Who is a Candidate?

A good candidate for Juvéderm Volbella XC is a patient that is either looking for a softer fill to the lips or a patient that has vertical lip lines that they would like to smooth out. Those looking to fill the deep grooves of the lower lids, known as “tear troughs” can also benefit from this product.  For patients that are new to lip enhancement, trying something like Juvéderm Volbella XC is great for those who are worried about going too big initially. As with all fillers, results are seen immediately, which can be helpful when patients are deciding how many syringes should be injected for the desired result.

Results

Patients receiving Juvéderm Volbella treatment can expect to see immediate improvement in the appearance of the upper lip lines and the volume of the lips. The result will be softer and less structured than treatments performed with Voluma or Juvéderm Ultra XC. Swelling will be evident at first and will begin to reduce within a few days and can be made better with ice or oral Arnica Montana, which is a helpful product to help decrease bruising and swelling in the immediate period after any filler injection. If you are looking for a softer, more subtle lip enhancement, filler of fine lines and wrinkles, or enhancement and softening of the lower lid region, Juvéderm Volbella XC may be right for you.  A consultation with Dr. Sweat or one of his expert injections will help you understand your options and usually, the treatment can be done during the same visit.