Juvéderm® Volbella® XC
Lips that have thinned over time, fine vertical lines around the mouth, and a hollow shadow beneath the eyes can make a face look more tired than it feels. Juvéderm® Volbella® XC is a soft, smooth hyaluronic acid filler designed for subtle changes in these delicate areas. Patients visit the Beverly Hills office from West Hollywood, Century City, Brentwood, Los Feliz, and throughout Los Angeles for Volbella treatment of the lips and under eyes.
Dr. Kami Parsa trained first as an ophthalmologist, completing his residency at USC’s Doheny Eye Institute before his fellowship in oculoplastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Miami’s Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. That background matters with Volbella, the only Juvéderm filler approved for under-eye hollows, where the eye sits just millimeters from the treatment area. He has presented research at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) and is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The same attention to anatomy carries over to the lips, where small amounts placed precisely make the most natural difference.
“The under eyes and the lips reward a light hand. With Volbella, I would rather add a little, let it settle, and build from there than overcorrect an area this delicate.” — Dr. Kami Parsa
What Is Juvéderm Volbella XC?
Volbella XC is part of the Juvéderm® collection of hyaluronic acid fillers. The FDA approved it in 2016 for lip augmentation and correction of lines around the mouth in adults over 21. In February 2022, the FDA added approval for improving under-eye hollows in adults over 21, making Volbella the first filler approved for this area. As a condition of that approval, providers must complete a product training program before using Volbella under the eyes.
Volbella contains a lower concentration of hyaluronic acid than many fillers and is made with Vycross® technology, which gives it a soft, smooth feel and a low tendency to draw in water. It also contains lidocaine for comfort. Results can last up to one year in the lips and under the eyes with optimal treatment, and like all hyaluronic acid fillers, Volbella can be dissolved with hyaluronidase if needed.
Volbella for Lip Enhancement
In the lips, Volbella is used for gentle, natural-looking changes rather than dramatic volume. Common goals include:
- Adding subtle fullness to thinning lips
- Defining the vermilion border and Cupid’s bow
- Softening vertical lines above and below the lips
- Improving mild lip asymmetry
For patients who want more volume or a different feel, other options are covered on the Lip Augmentation page.
Volbella for Under-Eye Hollows
Under-eye hollows form when the area between the lower eyelid and cheek loses volume, creating a shadowed groove. Volbella can soften that groove and create a smoother transition to the cheek. It is not the right treatment for every under-eye concern, though. Puffy lower eyelid bags caused by protruding fat usually respond better to lower eyelid surgery, and filler placed near a bag can make it look more prominent. Dark circles caused by pigmentation or thin skin may need a different approach, explained on the Dark Circle Treatment page.
Distinguishing among these causes is where an eyelid specialist’s evaluation helps most. You can learn more about under-eye filler options on the Fillers for Lower Eye Bags & Dark Circles page.
Is Volbella Right for You?
Volbella may be a good fit for adults who:
- Want soft, subtle lip enhancement or smoother lines around the mouth
- Have under-eye hollows without significant puffy bags
- Prefer a conservative result that can be built up gradually
- Are in good general health and have realistic expectations
Volbella may not be appropriate if you have a history of severe allergies or anaphylaxis, an allergy to lidocaine or to the bacterial proteins used to make hyaluronic acid, a bleeding disorder, or an active infection or skin inflammation in the treatment area. Its safety has not been established during pregnancy or breastfeeding. If you get cold sores, let your injector know before lip treatment, since injections can trigger an outbreak and preventive medication may be recommended.
What to Expect During Volbella Treatment
Your visit begins with a consultation with Dr. Parsa or licensed members of his clinical team. They review your medical history and any previous filler, examine the lips or under-eye area, and explain how much product is likely needed. Under-eye treatment is performed only by an injector who has completed the required Volbella training. A topical numbing cream is often applied, and the injection itself usually takes less than 30 minutes.
Results are visible right away. Lips often swell for two to three days, and the under-eye area may stay mildly swollen or bruised a little longer. Most patients return to normal activities the same day, though it helps to avoid strenuous exercise, alcohol, and extended sun or heat for about 24 hours. A follow-up visit about two weeks later lets your injector assess the settled result and add a small amount if needed.
Risks and When to Seek Care
Most side effects are mild and temporary, including swelling, redness, bruising, tenderness, firmness, and small lumps. In the under-eye area, swelling can persist for weeks in some patients, and filler placed too close to the surface can show a bluish tint. Less common risks include infection and nodules. Rarely, filler can enter a blood vessel and block blood flow, which can damage the skin and, in very rare cases, cause vision loss or stroke. The under-eye area carries particular risk because of its closeness to the eye.
Call the office right away and seek emergency care if you notice vision changes, severe or worsening pain, or skin that turns pale, blotchy, or dusky after treatment.
Why Choose Dr. Parsa for Volbella in Beverly Hills
- Under-Eye Diagnosis: As an eyelid surgeon, Dr. Parsa can tell whether a hollow, a fat bag, or pigmentation is behind your under-eye concern before any filler is placed.
- Surgical and Non-Surgical Options: When filler is not the best answer, surgical alternatives such as lower blepharoplasty are available in the same practice.
- Measured Lip Philosophy: Lip treatment focuses on proportion and definition, so results suit your face rather than a trend.
- Reversible Filler Choice: Volbella can be dissolved with hyaluronidase, an important safety tool in delicate areas.
- Complementary Treatments: Volbella can be paired with BOTOX® or other fillers such as Voluma® XC as part of a broader plan.
Schedule a Volbella Consultation in Beverly Hills
Whether you are thinking about subtle lip enhancement or softening under-eye hollows, a consultation will help you understand what Volbella can and cannot do for your face. Dr. Parsa and his clinical team will assess your anatomy and recommend the right approach. Visit the office at 465 N Roxbury Dr, Suite 1011, in Beverly Hills, or request your consultation online.
Frequently Asked Questions About Volbella
Medically reviewed by Kambiz K. Parsa, M.D. on
- Is Volbella a good option for first-time filler patients in Beverly Hills?
- How long do Volbella results last?
- What does the treatment feel like?
- Will I need downtime afterward?
- Can Volbella fix dark circles?
Volbella is often a comfortable starting point because its soft gel allows subtle, gradual changes. Your injector can start conservatively and add more at a follow-up visit if you want a little more. You can compare other first filler options on the Types of Dermal Fillers page.
Go To TopMost clients see results that last up to 12 months. Maintenance sessions can be scheduled based on your goals and anatomy.
Go To TopMost patients describe mild, brief discomfort. A topical numbing cream is often used, and Volbella contains lidocaine, which numbs the area as the filler is placed.
Go To TopDowntime is minimal to none. Some clients experience mild swelling or bruising, but most resume daily activities the same day.
Go To TopVolbella can improve the shadow created by an under-eye hollow, but it does not treat dark circles caused by pigmentation, visible blood vessels, or puffy fat bags. An evaluation helps sort out the cause, and other options are explained on the Dark Circle Treatment page.
Go To Top