Juvéderm Volbella XC, one of the most widely-used dermal fillers, has recently been approved by the FDA for injection into the under-eye area of the face. While hyaluronic acid-based fillers have been used “off-label” for years to reduce the appearance of under-eye hollows, Volbella is the first filler officially approved for this application. Read on to get the full scoop on Volbella, its use as an under-eye filler, and the importance of choosing a qualified provider for your filler injections.
What is Juvéderm Volbella?
Juvéderm® Volbella™ XC, or Volbella for short, is a dermal filler first approved by the FDA in 2016 for augmenting the lips and chin, correcting lines and wrinkles around the mouth, and, more recently, to camouflage under-eye bags. Volbella uses hyaluronic acid (HA), a naturally occurring substance in our bodies responsible for keeping our skin hydrated and youthful; but unlike other HA fillers, Volbella’s patented VYCROSS technology blends lower HA molecular weights, giving it the softest, smoothest consistency of all Juvéderm products while still remaining highly durable.
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About Volbella’s FDA approval process
Since 2018, Allergan, the maker of Juvéderm fillers, has conducted clinical trials on over 160 participants to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Volbella as an under-eye filler. According to the data collected, 90% of participants were satisfied with their Volbella results during their year of treatment. Furthermore, 90% of patients were willing to recommend Volbella as a treatment for under-eye hollows to a friend.
90% of trial participants were satisfied with their Volbella results during their year of treatment.
How does Volbella work to reduce the appearance of bags?
There are two ways that Volbella can improve the appearance of the under-eye area, both of which work by ‘leveling out’ the skin:
- If you have dark circles without fat deposits, Volbella can help disguise them by ‘filling in’ the tear troughs. However, if the discoloration around your eyes is caused by hyperpigmentation, your surgeon may recommend eyelid surgery (more about this below).
- If your under-eye bags are caused by excess fat, Volbella can add volume to the area around your bags to smooth the transition from your cheeks to your eyes.
Do I need Volbella or an eyelid lift to correct my under-eye bags?
While Volbella is very effective at treating mild to moderate under-eye bags, more severe puffiness and/or discoloration below the eyes may require an eyelid lift (also called blepharoplasty). Your cosmetic surgeon will assess whether or not you’re a good candidate for Volbella treatments during your personal consultation.
What are the risks of injecting Volbella below the eyes?
The under-eye area, known clinically as the orbital area, has long been considered a risky place to inject fillers because of its thin skin, intricate vascular network, and proximity to the eye. Potential risks of injecting in the under-eye area include lumps, bumps, skin death (necrosis), and—though rare—blindness. However, when performed by a highly qualified provider, most side effects are mild and include slight bruising, swelling, redness, pain after injection, discoloration, or itching.
A board certified cosmetic surgeon will have a thorough understanding of the orbital area, helping ensure safe, beautiful results.
Choose a board certified cosmetic surgeon for your under-eye filler
You should always seek a qualified provider to perform dermal filler injections in any area of the body, but especially when considering filler in the under-eye area. A board certified cosmetic surgeon (or a licensed injector working with him or her) will have a thorough understanding of the anatomy of the orbital area, helping ensure beautiful Volbella results without complications. If a complication is suspected, or if you are not completely satisfied with your results, he or she will use hyaluronidase to reverse your under-eye filler.
As an additional layer of safety, all board certified cosmetic surgeons performing Volbella injections in the under-eye hollows will voluntarily undergo special training for treating this area through the Allergan Medical Institute (AMI).
Find a board certified cosmetic surgeon near you
Are you ready to learn more about how Volbella can improve the appearance of your under-eye hollows and refresh your aesthetic? Find a board certified cosmetic surgeon in your city.
