Facial Volume Loss

FACIAL VOLUME LOSS  

Aesthetic facial volume loss includes specific areas like the cheeks, temples, and under-eye hollows, which lead to a sunken or gaunt appearance. Other common types include thinning lips, a less defined jawline and chin, and more pronounced nasolabial folds (smile lines) and marionette lines (lines around the mouth).  
‍
Areas of volume loss

Cheeks: Loss of fat and bone support can make cheeks appear flatter or hollow, leading to sagging and the development of smile lines.
Temples: A sunken or gaunt appearance can result from volume loss in the temples, which can affect overall facial harmony.
Under-eye hollows (Tear troughs): Volume loss under the eyes can create dark circles and a tired look, even when well-rested.
Lips: Natural aging can cause lips to lose volume, becoming thinner and less defined, with fine lines often developing around the mouth.
Jawline: The jawline can lose definition due to reduced bone density and skin elasticity, leading to sagging and jowls.
Chin: The chin can appear weaker or recessed due to a reduction in bone and soft tissue support, sometimes accompanied by fat deposits under the chin.
Nasolabial and marionette lines: These lines around the nose and mouth become more prominent as skin loses elasticity and volume, causing skin to fold more deeply.  

‍TREATMENTS

Non-surgical aesthetic treatments for facial volume loss primarily focus on replenishing lost volume with injectables or stimulating the body's natural collagen production.  The main non-surgical treatment types are:

Dermal Fillers: These are the most common and fastest way to restore volume. They are gel-like substances injected beneath the skin to smooth lines, soften creases, and restore fullness.

Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Fillers: Examples include Juvéderm and Restylane. HA is a natural substance in the body that attracts water, providing immediate hydration and volume. Results are temporary, typically lasting from 6 to 18 months.

Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA) Fillers: An example is Radiesse. This is a thicker filler that provides structural support and also stimulates the body's natural collagen production. Results can last up to a year or more.

Collagen Stimulators: These injectables work gradually over time to encourage the body to produce its own collagen.

Poly-L-lactic Acid (PLLA): Marketed as Sculptra, this substance is absorbed by the body over time, leaving behind a new collagen framework that restores volume gradually. A series of sessions is usually required, and results can last up to two years or more.

Regenerative Injectables: PRF Gel (Platelet-Rich Fibrin): Created from the patient's own blood, PRF gel is rich in growth factors that support healing and collagen production, adding subtle volume and improving overall skin quality.

Renuva: This treatment uses an adipose (fat) matrix that acts as a blueprint for the body to replace with its own fat over time, providing long-lasting, natural-feeling volume.

Energy-Based Devices: These treatments use radiofrequency (RF) or ultrasound energy to tighten skin and stimulate existing collagen, complementing injectable treatments. Radiofrequency (RF) Microneedling: Combines microneedling with RF energy to boost collagen and tighten the skin.

Ultrasound (Ultherapy): Uses focused ultrasound energy to target deep foundational layers of the skin, promoting a lifting and tightening effect.