I was complaining to my daughter that I look old and tired, and she told me that it’s because my face has “volume loss.”  I hadn’t heard that term before, but after she told me about it, it made sense.  Do you think she’s right?

It’s very likely.  As we age, we see that our face is not as firm and smooth as it used to be.  We may notice jowls, dark circles under the eyes, shadows, and sagging.  These changes are the result of volume loss, and for most of us it’s the main thing that makes us look older, much more so than wrinkling.  This deflation is caused by the loss of fat and other supporting components in our face.

The most popular way of restoring facial volume is by injecting dermal fillers (such as Restylane, Juvederm, or Voluma).  In 2018, more than 2.6 million of these procedures were performed in the U.S.  By placing dermal fillers in strategic locations and depths in the skin, we can achieve a more lifted, firm, and youthful yet still natural appearance.  For even better results, patients often combine fillers with other injectables, lasers, or chemical peels to tighten, brighten, and smooth the skin.