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FACIAL VOLUME LOSS
Facial volume loss is the result of change in the composition of skin fat, bone, and tendons. The skin’s fat distribution is affected by a multitude of factors including a change in body weight, excessive sun damage, and the body’s natural intrinsic aging process. Each of these factors cause a shift in skin’s superficial and deep fat distribution leading to a loss of facial volume.
Volume loss is one of the biggest contributors to the external appearance of aging skin in patients. The loss of fat and bone makes patients look ‘hollow’, skin tends to ‘hang’ and ‘sag’’ more easily without a strong structure to hold it up and wrinkles and fine lines appear more pronounced. The result is that patients appear to lose the original angles and lines of their facial structure which maintained their youthful profile.
The Cause Of Skin Volume Loss
The cause of volume loss may vary patient-to-patient, but the generalized causes are much the same:
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Photodamage (from the sun and UVA and UVB radiation)
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The loss of skin’s natural fat and dermis with age
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Bone reabsorption
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Breakdown in collagen and elastin
How We Treat Volume Loss
The best way to treat facial volume loss is with injectable dermal fillers. Most of the fillers we use at Kline Dermatology are made with a synthetic hyaluronic acid (HA) base (a substance naturally found in the body especially around soft tissue in the joints), or calcium hydroxylapatite (a mineral compound also commonly found in the human body).
While each brand of filler is suited to different facial needs (some are thicker or more viscous than others), all help fill in lost volume where a patient needs it most, whether that is a scar, pronounced cheek depressions, a ‘hollowing’ in the temples or around the mouth, nasolabial fold creases or a replumping of thinning lips.
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FAQs
Q: What is facial volume loss?
A: Facial volume loss occurs when the skin's fat, bone, and supportive tissues diminish over time, causing the face to appear hollow or sagging. This leads to pronounced wrinkles, hanging skin, and a loss of the natural angles that define a youthful profile.
Q: What causes facial volume loss?
A: The main causes include photodamage from UVA/UVB radiation, the natural decline of facial fat and dermis with age, bone reabsorption, and the breakdown of collagen and elastin.
Q: How does volume loss affect the appearance of aging?
A: Without adequate volume and structural support, skin tends to sag, wrinkles become more pronounced, and the face loses the contours and angles associated with a youthful appearance.
Q: How is facial volume loss treated?
A: The primary treatment is injectable dermal fillers. Kline Dermatology uses hyaluronic acid-based fillers (such as Juvéderm® and Restylane®) and calcium hydroxylapatite-based fillers (such as Radiesse®) to restore lost volume to areas like the cheeks, temples, lips, and around the mouth.
Q: What specific fillers are available at Kline Dermatology?
A: Available fillers include Juvéderm®, Juvéderm Voluma®, Radiesse®, Restylane®, Restylane Lyft®, Vollure®, and Belotero Balance. Each is suited to different facial areas and treatment goals.
Q: Can fillers look natural?
A: Yes. When skillfully placed by an experienced dermatologist, fillers restore volume in a way that looks natural and enhances the patient's existing features rather than altering their appearance drastically.