As we age, the skin naturally loses volume and elasticity, which can affect areas such as the temples, cheeks, lips, and the formation of lines. Volume loss management is used to replace volume in specific areas and support the underlying facial structure.
Volume loss happens naturally as the fat, collagen, and moisture beneath our skin gradually diminish with age. This process typically begins in our 30s, causing areas like the cheeks, temples, under-eyes, and lips to appear hollow or sunken. Sun exposure, genetics, weight changes, and lifestyle can influence how quickly this loss of volume occurs.
Volume loss management aims to restore fullness and improve skin quality beneath the surface.
Volume loss happens naturally as the fat, collagen, and moisture beneath our skin gradually diminish with age. This process typically begins in our 30s, causing areas like the cheeks, temples, under-eyes, and lips to appear hollow or sunken. Sun exposure, genetics, weight changes, and lifestyle can influence how quickly this loss of volume occurs.
Volume loss management aims to restore fullness and improve skin quality beneath the surface.
Volume loss management can address a range of age-related changes by restoring structure, smoothing contours, and rejuvenating areas that have lost fullness over time. As we age, fat pads shift and diminish, bone resorbs, and collagen depletes, leading to a hollowed or deflated appearance. By strategically replacing lost volume, we can lift sagging tissue. Volume loss management is effective for:
Volume loss management offers effective restoration of facial fullness and contours with natural-looking results. This targeted approach allows us to address multiple areas of volume depletion in a single session, with most people resuming normal activities shortly after. Before recommending management, we take time to understand what concerns you and assess your facial structure to confirm volume restoration is the right approach. This helps us determine the most appropriate products and technique for your desired outcome.
Volume management can help address changes in facial volume in areas such as the cheeks, temples, and under-eyes, providing subtle contour support.
Volume management focuses on the underlying changes in facial structure that occur over time, rather than solely addressing surface lines.
Our practitioners assess your facial anatomy and discuss your goals to create a management plan tailored to your individual features.
Most procedures are quick, typically under 30 minutes, and require minimal recovery time, allowing you to resume daily activities.
We begin with a consultation to examine your facial structure, assess areas of volume loss, and discuss your concerns. We’ll explain which approach suits your needs and what results you can realistically expect.
Before treatment, avoid alcohol and anti-inflammatory medications for at least a week if medically safe, as these can increase bruising and swelling. On the day, arrive with a clean face and stay hydrated.
During treatment, we cleanse your skin and can apply numbing cream if needed. Using fine needles or smooth cannulas, we carefully place the product in areas where volume loss has occurred. The process takes 30 to 45 minutes. Some treatments show immediate results, while others develop gradually as the product stimulates collagen production over several months.
You might experience mild swelling, tenderness, or bruising afterwards, which typically settles within a few days. Most people return to usual activities immediately, though we recommend avoiding strenuous exercise and excessive sun or heat exposure for 24 to 48 hours. Results can last from several months to over a year depending on the product used and the area treated.
If you’re bothered by facial volume depletion, hollow cheeks, sunken temples, thin lips, or overall loss of fullness, book a consultation at South Yarra Dermatology to discuss whether volume restoration is right for you.
Volume loss management can address almost any area of the face that has lost fullness or definition. Common management areas include the cheeks and mid-face to restore the apple of the cheek and lift sagging, temples to fill hollowness that creates a gaunt appearance, under-eyes to reduce tear troughs and dark shadows, nasolabial folds (the lines from nose to mouth) to soften deepening creases, marionette lines (from corners of mouth to chin) to reduce a sad or aged appearance, lips to add fullness or define borders, chin to improve projection and balance facial proportions, and jawline to restore definition and contour.
Some management can also improve skin quality overall by stimulating collagen production throughout treated areas. Your dermatologist will assess which areas would benefit most from management based on your individual facial structure and ageing patterns.
Most people find volume loss management quite tolerable, especially with the numbing techniques we use. Many modern products contain a local anaesthetic mixed into the formula, which numbs the area as management progresses. We can also apply topical numbing cream before beginning for additional comfort.
During management, you’ll feel pressure and a slight pinching or stinging sensation as the needle enters the skin, but this is usually brief and manageable. Some areas are naturally more sensitive than others, particularly the lips and under-eyes, but the discomfort is temporary. Using smooth cannulas (blunt-tipped instruments) rather than needles for some management can also reduce discomfort and bruising. Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the procedure is, especially compared to their expectations.
Immediately after treatment, you’ll likely have some redness, swelling, and possibly small bumps where the product was placed. This is completely normal and usually most noticeable in the first few hours. Swelling can make the treated areas look slightly overfilled initially, but this typically settles within a few days as your tissues adjust.
You might see small needle marks or pinpoint bleeding at injection sites, which resolve quickly. Some areas, like the lips and under-eyes, tend to swell more than others. You may also notice the product feels firm or lumpy under your skin at first, but it will soften and integrate naturally over the following days. Ice packs and keeping your head elevated can help minimise swelling. Most people feel comfortable going about their day immediately after treatment, though you might prefer to rest at home if swelling is significant.
Recovery from volume loss treatment is relatively quick, with most people resuming normal activities immediately or within a day. The initial swelling and redness typically subside within two to five days, though this varies by individual and treatment area. Bruising, if it occurs, may take five to ten days to fade completely but can usually be covered with makeup after the first day.
Your face may feel slightly tender or tight for a few days as the product settles into place. While you can return to work and social activities right away, some people prefer to schedule treatment before a weekend or when they have a few quiet days, especially if treating highly visible areas like the lips. Any minor lumps or irregularities usually smooth out within one to two weeks as the treatment integrates with your tissues.
The frequency of treatments depends on the type of product used and how your individual body metabolises it. Most volume-restoring treatments require maintenance every six to eighteen months to sustain results, with the exact timing depending on the product type and treatment area. Some people prefer to return slightly before their results have completely faded to maintain consistent improvement, while others wait until effects have worn off entirely.
Treatments that stimulate collagen production may provide longer-lasting results, sometimes up to two years or more, though you might need a series of initial treatments spaced several weeks apart to build up results. Your dermatologist will recommend a maintenance schedule based on your specific treatment and how your body responds, but ultimately, the timing is your choice based on your goals and budget.
Yes, volume loss treatments are often combined with other facial rejuvenation procedures for comprehensive results. They work well alongside anti-wrinkle treatments, with volume restoration addressing structural loss while muscle relaxation addresses dynamic lines. Skin resurfacing treatments like lasers or chemical peels can improve skin quality and texture while volume treatments address underlying structural changes. Some people combine volume treatments with skin tightening procedures to address both volume loss and laxity.
The key is appropriate timing and coordination to ensure treatments complement rather than interfere with each other. Your dermatologist can create a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses your various concerns in the most effective sequence, sometimes performing multiple treatments during the same appointment for convenience and optimal results.
