I just heard that there’s a new injectable for lip enhancement. Is this true, and does it work?
Volbella XC is a new filler for the lip area. It was approved by the FDA, and it is the only filler proven to increase lip fullness and correct perioral lines for up to one year.
Volbella XC is an excellent product for the lips because of several key features. It is a soft, silky gel, which results in a smooth feel and look. Additionally, because of the different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid — the product ingredient — the filler should last up to a one year.
Other advantages of Volbella XC is that injection site swelling is reduced because the gel does not have a high water affinity. This is an attractive feature that will likely lead to many off-label uses as practitioners gain more experience with Volbella XC.
I think the product will serve a very specific group of patients. This includes patients who smoke and have wrinkles around their lips, older patients and patients of any age who have poor lip definition and want to make their lips more defined, but not necessarily larger.
Although it is exciting when new products are brought to market, it is very important to find a practitioner who has skill and experience in injecting the lip area in order to achieve the best result. When interviewing your potential physician or physician extender, do not be shy to ask about his or her experience with lip injections and request to see patient before and after pictures.
Patients and physicians should feel thankful that many pharmaceutical companies are consistently developing newer and better products. Clearly, patients’ desires to look and feel better are driving the market, and companies in the aesthetic field are working to meet patients’ expectations.
Dr. Carlos Wolf is a partner in Miami Plastic Surgery and is board certified. Email your questions to cwolf@miamiplasticsurgery.com or call 305-595-2969. You also can visit www.miamiplasticsurgery.com.
