Facial volume naturally changes over time. You may begin to notice flatter cheeks, hollows around the temples or under-eyes, deeper folds around the mouth or a loss of definition through the lower face. Significant weight loss can also make these changes more noticeable, particularly when facial fat reduces relatively quickly.
At Pure Perfection, we look at the face as a whole rather than simply filling individual lines or hollows. Understanding where support has been lost allows us to create a treatment plan that restores balance and structure while keeping your features looking natural.
What is Facial Volume Loss?
Facial volume loss describes a reduction or redistribution of the tissues that give the face its shape, contours and support.
When we are younger, facial fat, collagen and underlying bone structure help create fullness through areas such as the cheeks and temples. As these structures change, the face can gradually appear flatter or more hollow and the overlying skin may have less support.
Volume loss can also influence other areas of the face. Reduced support through the mid-face, for example, can make folds around the nose and mouth appear deeper or contribute to changes through the jawline and lower face.
What Causes Facial Volume Loss?
Ageing is one of the main causes. Facial fat compartments change and redistribute over time, while gradual changes to bone structure and declining collagen levels alter the support available to the skin.
Genetics influence how and where these changes become noticeable, while repeated sun exposure can contribute to collagen breakdown and changes in skin quality.
Weight loss can also reduce facial fat. Following significant or relatively rapid weight loss, some people notice greater hollowing through the cheeks or temples and increased laxity because the skin has less underlying volume supporting it.
Treatments for Facial Volume Loss at Pure Perfection
The right approach depends on where volume has been lost, how this has affected the rest of the face and whether changes in skin quality or laxity are also present.
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers can be strategically placed to restore volume and structural support in areas where it has been lost.
Rather than simply filling individual lines, treatment can be planned around the proportions of the whole face. Depending on your anatomy, this may involve restoring support through areas such as the cheeks, temples, chin or jawline.
The aim is to replace what has been lost in a measured way, maintaining your natural features rather than creating unnecessary fullness.
Radiesse®
Radiesse® can provide structural support while also acting as a collagen biostimulator. It may be considered where volume and support have reduced alongside changes in skin firmness and quality.
VoluLift
VoluLift may be considered for patients who have experienced significant facial changes following weight loss, where reduced facial volume and sagging skin are contributing to a more drawn or less supported appearance.
Treatment is planned around the individual pattern of volume loss, with the aim of restoring facial support and improving overall balance rather than simply replacing volume everywhere.
Profhilo®
Where facial volume loss occurs alongside reduced hydration, elasticity and skin quality, Profhilo® may form part of a wider treatment plan. It is not used to replace facial volume in the same way as dermal filler, but can help improve the condition and quality of the overlying skin.
Polynucleotides
Polynucleotides may also be considered when regenerative support is needed alongside structural treatment. They focus on improving skin quality, elasticity and repair rather than directly replacing lost volume.
For many patients, facial volume loss involves more than one change. Combining carefully placed structural treatment with treatments that improve the quality of the skin can therefore provide a more balanced approach.
FAQs
Where does facial volume loss usually occur?
Common areas include the cheeks, temples and around the eyes, although changes in volume can also affect the appearance of the jawline, chin and folds around the mouth.
Can dermal filler restore lost facial volume?
Yes. Dermal filler can be strategically placed to restore support and volume in selected areas. The amount required depends on your facial anatomy and the degree of volume loss present.
Can weight loss cause facial volume loss?
Yes. Significant or rapid weight loss can reduce facial fat, sometimes making the cheeks and temples appear more hollow and skin laxity more noticeable.
Will treating volume loss make my face look fuller?
The aim is not necessarily to make the face look fuller. Treatment can be used selectively to replace lost support and improve facial balance while maintaining your natural proportions.
What is the difference between treating volume loss and skin laxity?
Volume loss relates to reduced underlying facial support, while skin laxity refers to looseness or reduced firmness of the skin and tissues. The two often occur together, but may require different treatments as part of the same plan.