Juvéderm Voluma is the leading filler for midface volume loss, and you’re about to find out why. 

Do you wish your cheekbones or jawline were more defined? That your cheeks were a little fuller and your lower face more lifted? Cheek enhancement with dermal fillers is surging in popularity for this reason. 

What is cheek enhancement? Simply, it’s the use of dermal fillers to plump up and define cheeks that have lost volume due to age. Depending on the injection technique, you can make your face look fuller or more defined, erase evidence of aging, and even sculpt your cheekbones and jawline without the need for cosmetic surgery.

Firmer fillers like Juvéderm Voluma are more suitable for the job than others. They provide the perfect density level to transform your face, enhancing your cheeks while maintaining a subtle softness. They can make you look younger and more fresh-faced without seeming artificial. In this post, we’ll explore everything you may wish to know about cheek enhancement with Juvéderm Voluma. 

Understanding Juvéderm Voluma

Juvéderm Voluma is a hyaluronic acid-based dermal filler. Like other fillers made of hyaluronic acid (HA), it is safe and effective at boosting volume from below the skin. HA works well at filling and plumping out areas of sagging and hollowing, adding volume where necessary. By adding volume, it also helps lift the skin slightly, reducing the severity of loss of firmness throughout the face. 

The FDA has approved Juvéderm Voluma as a safe and effective subcutaneous (under the skin) and supraperiosteal (deep into the tissue on top of the bone) treatment to correct age-related midface volume loss. Over time it has gained other approvals, such as for use in the temples and chin. 

Your body makes HA naturally, but production slows as you age. By adding supplementary HA underneath the skin, you hydrate from within, giving your skin a naturally firm and healthy appearance. This reduces fine lines and wrinkles and better defines your features.

The main difference between Juvéderm Voluma and other fillers (both from Juvéderm and other brands) is its consistency. Most HA injectables are thinner and more fluid, so they can be injected in small amounts to spread and fill-in fine lines or smaller areas like the lips. 

In contrast, Juvéderm Voluma is a thicker gel, allowing it to add volume and shape in the mid-face. It holds its shape and creates realistic, natural firmness across larger areas, making it the ideal filler for the cheeks. 

Knowing If Juvéderm Voluma is Right For You 

Before receiving Juvéderm Voluma injections, consult with a qualified injector. At SEV Laser, our nurse injectors will begin by evaluating your facial anatomy and going over your goals. Most clients coming in for Juvéderm Voluma injections are looking for the following improvements: 

  • Correction of volume loss in the cheeks
  • Higher cheekbones and a more defined or sculpted look
  • More lifted skin in the middle and lower parts of the face 

If any of these sound like the changes you’re hoping for, Juvéderm Voluma is probably right for you! An ideal candidate for Voluma is over 21, with healthy skin in the treatment area and no history of allergies to dermal fillers. While hyaluronic acid is a natural substance your body readily accepts, there have been rare instances of allergic reaction to the anesthetic or buffer ingredients in it. 

If you experience any skin conditions like rosacea, dermatitis, or acne, wait until any active flare-ups in the treatment area have cleared before making an appointment. Make sure you show up to your appointment without makeup, and don’t use any retinol-based products or have a chemical peel in the two weeks before treatment.

Using Volume for Midface Volume

Injections of fillers for midface volume loss are not much different than those for cheek enhancement. Your nurse injector will utilize the same techniques to contour your cheekbones, address asymmetry, and achieve dramatic yet natural results. 

Balancing Projection and Contour

Cheek enhancement aims to balance projection of your cheekbones, for a contoured look that needs no makeup. 

Addressing Asymmetry

Many people lack symmetry in their faces, and fillers for midface volume are the perfect way to correct minor flaws. Juvéderm Voluma can even out asymmetry with well-placed injections, further balancing your features. 

Injection Techniques for Cheek Enhancement

There are several different injection techniques that can be used with a midface volume loss filler like Juvéderm Voluma. Your nurse injector will use these to achieve the desired effect, which can be seen in cheek enhancement before and after photos. 

An experienced injector won’t just use a single method. Instead, they’ll layer techniques to achieve your goals. 

At SEV, we provide natural, balanced cheek enhancement using injection techniques tailored to your individual needs. Our providers specialize in customized treatment planning, ensuring a personalized approach and subtle yet impactful results that focus on lift, contour, and harmony. 

Through facial mapping techniques, we can maximize longevity of your fillers and minimize bruising and swelling, for enhanced comfort and safety. 

Needle Use 

Needle use is more common in very precise injections such as supreperiosteal injections, where the placement of the needle tip is critical. 

Cannula Use

A cannula is ideal for placing larger amounts of filler, especially thicker gels like Juvéderm Voluma that are used for cheek enhancement.

Deep Supraperiosteal Injection

Supraperiosteal injection uses a longer needle to place the filler down right on top of the maxilla (upper jawbone) to lift and shape the cheek and provide structural support.

Subcutaneous Injection 

Subcutaneous injection places the filler at precise depths below the skin to help with contouring and provide softer volume.

Bolus Technique

The bolus technique is more common in cheek enhancement. It places a larger amount of filler in one place so it provides a more solid, realistic look and feel.

Side Effects and Post-Treatment Care

Like any type of cosmetic injectable, there are some common side effects to cheek enhancement fillers. You’ll probably have some mild redness and swelling in the days after your treatment. Your cheeks might feel a little tender, but resist the urge to poke or prod. You can alleviate swelling with ice packs (apply no pressure) and acetaminophen if needed.

Rare but serious complications such as hives or difficult breathing may occur as a result of an allergic reaction, which can show up hours or days after treatment. Review the consents carefully before treatment to make sure you’re not allergic to any of the ingredients in the filler. 

It’s crucial that you follow your provider’s post-care instructions. In the days after treatment, try to sleep face up and even slightly elevated to help reduce swelling. Don’t put any unnecessary pressure on your face, as well. While you can return to work and other daily activities immediately after treatment, make sure to avoid intense physical activity for at least two days. 

If you don’t like your results from Juvéderm Voluma, don’t worry. You don’t have to wait up to two years for the HA to naturally leave your body. SEV offers filler dissolvers for those that want to backtrack a bit. 

What to Expect After Treatment 

There is normally some swelling immediately after treatment, and you might even worry that your Juvéderm Voluma injections were too generous. Don’t worry! Within 2-4 weeks, the filler will settle and swelling will also go down, and you’ll be able to assess your real results.You can get a touch-up after 30 days if the outcomes don’t quite match your vision. 

Juvéderm Voluma can last up to two years after injection, but everyone metabolizes HA at different rates. You may need touch-ups anywhere from every 6 months to 2 years. 

Enhancing Your Cheeks With SEV 

Still staring at cheek enhancement filler before and after photos? A consultation will give you the personalized insight you need to decide if Juvéderm Voluma is right for you. Book an appointment at SEV Laser to learn more about cheek enhancement with fillers!