Ask - Face

the new anti-aging treatment

October 8, 2009

Yesterday I had coffee with Dr Teresa Cattin who gave me the inside scoop on a treatment that’s just been given approval by MedSafe - Juvederm Voluma.

Dr Cattin has been using this for the past two years on patients but has been unable to advertise or promote it until it got MedSafe approval. She has found it to be highly effective on her clients, who have loved the subtle and natural-looking results.

So what is it and why is this hailed overseas as the new, incredible way to look younger?

Voluma is the new injectible to fight ageing. It’s an injection of Hyaluronic Acid that plumps up skin and gives it more volume. Dr Cattin explained it to me very basically - there are two supporting structures in the skin: collagen and hyaluronic acid. Until now, the focus had been on replacing collagen with fillers. But collagen is derived from bovine and in some patients (very few) it can create an allergic reaction. The other problem with collagen injections is that they don’t last long - hence the repeat procedures need to be done every 3-4 months.

Hyaluronic Acid on the other hand is basically a simple sugar, it won’t dissolve rapidly and it won’t cause a reaction. In fact, such is its popularity as a humectant, you’ve probably been applying it to your skin already - it’s a very popular ingredient in moisturisers.

Volume is the new buzz word in Appearance Medicine circles. Doctors have realised that you can smooth out a face as much as you like but it can still look old because the biggest change that happens as we age is the loss of volume in our faces. Everything heads south. You only need to look at a baby, toddler or young child with big, juicy cheeks to see that youthfulness is really about having a fuller face.

On young faces light hits the cheeks much higher (which is why you should never apply highlighters or shimmers too low on the cheeks). The natural fat deposits on our cheeks gradually recede with time. There’s that old saying when you age - its your butt or your face. The thinner you diet yourself as a mature woman, the worse your face looks. Until now.

Voluma is a subtle but highly effective treatment and the best bit - it lasts for 18 months!!!

It can be used by anyone at any age - on younger people it’s described as ‘glamorising’ their appearance and on mature faces it rejuvenates. It’s a very subtle treatment. It enhances your natural beauty - you can not, and will not look like a ‘catwoman’ from having this done.

You are replacing, at a greater quantity, something that is already in your skin - not adding anything new.

Voluma is injected just under the skin, not deep, so you can literally have this done during your lunch break and head back to work with no telltale bruising. You need not tell anyone what you’ve had done. People will wonder what it is that you’ve changed, but they won’t be able to pinpoint this exciting new discovery.

It’s so good that Allergan, the makers of Botox, bought the company out.

You can imagine that when done with a little bit of Juvederm Ultra (fillers) and botox (just enough to lightly eradicate lines but not so much that you look frozen), you will sidestep the need to EVER have a facelift.

Dr Cattin works from her busy North Shore practise - FaceWorks on Apollo Drive. She’s a physician trainer who teaches other doctors Botox techniques both in New Zealand and Australia plus she’s on the Botox Advisory Boards (Australasia) and is a member of the Appearance Medicine Society of Australasia.

Call her for more information about this exciting new procedure - 09 477 3775.

Tamsin xo