What do we mean by volume?
Over time, many people notice that their face appears less full or “plump” than it once did. For example, the cheeks may look flatter, the under-eye hollows deeper, the jawline less defined, or the temples slightly sunken.
A change in volume can also mean your facial skin may appear less supported, and lines or sagging may become more visible.
This is what we mean when we talk about volume loss on the face. It’s a normal part of skin and facial ageing, but some find it bothersome how these changes can subtly shift facial symmetry or proportions and affect skin support, making even a well-rested person look tired or less defined.
Contributing Factors
Volume loss can be due to multiple factors. Key contributors include:
- Ageing: As we get older, the skin produces less collagen and elastin, and the fatty support pads beneath the skin may shrink or drop.
- Fat pad depletion and redistribution: The fat compartments that once gave youthful fullness may diminish or move.
- Bone structure changes: Underlying bone resorption or loss of definition in the facial skeleton can reduce the frame that supports soft tissues.
- Environmental & lifestyle factors: Sun damage, smoking, rapid weight loss, hormonal changes and extreme dieting can all accelerate loss of volume and facial support.
- Genetics: Some people may naturally lose volume earlier or more noticeably than others.
When and where you’ll notice it
Early signs can appear in the 30s and 40s, sometimes even earlier depending on lifestyle/genetics, and become more pronounced in the 50s, 60s and beyond.
Common areas that are affected include:
- Cheeks/mid-face (flattening or hollowing)
- Under-eyes (tear-trough hollows)
- Temples (sunken appearance)
- Jawline & chin (loss of definition, jowling)
- Lips (thinning) and around the mouth (marionette lines)
- Sometimes the hands, but on this page, we are focusing on the face.
Treatments
At Cambridge Contour Clinic, we provide an extensive selection of evidence-based, non-surgical treatments specifically designed to address facial volume loss and elegantly restore youthful contours with subtle, natural-looking enhancements.
These advanced options are carefully tailored to your individual facial anatomy, personal concerns, aesthetic objectives, and overall skin health, ensuring a bespoke and harmonious approach that respects your unique features.
All treatments are performed exclusively by our highly experienced, fully qualified, and registered practitioners within a safe, modern clinical setting, where patient comfort, safety protocols, and optimal satisfaction are prioritised at every stage of your journey.
Dermal Filler Treatment
These are one of the most direct treatments to “fill” areas, for example, if you have visible hollows or loss of support and want immediate restoration with minimal downtime.
High-quality hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers attract and bind water, adding volume and support immediately, and can also stimulate collagen over time.
For clients whose skin quality seems to aid the appearance of volume loss, treatments which stimulate the skin’s internal support (collagen/elastin) can be beneficial.
Skin-boosters Treatment
Skin boosters are an injectable treatment that delivers deep hydration and improves overall skin quality, targeting texture, tone, and elasticity by replenishing hyaluronic acid and amino acids in the skin.
Although they do not “fill” or directly restore lost volume in the same way that fillers do. By stimulating collagen and elastin, skin boosters can lead to an overall improvement in skin quality and a slight lifting effect, but primarily improve overall skin support, texture and firmness.
Microneedling
Microneedling can help improve skin texture and firmness, which can create a more youthful and "plumped" appearance. The controlled micro-injuries stimulate fibroblasts to produce collagen and elastin (“collagen induction therapy”). Suitable for mild to moderate texture irregularities and provides a slight lifting effect.
Combination & strategic restoration
Often, volume loss is not uniform; some areas may need “fill”, others need skin support or even lifestyle adjustments. A multi-treatment approach often yields the most natural, balanced outcome.
We customise your plan based on anatomy and goals, and ensure the outcome remains natural and aligned with your features. Therefore, which is most suitable for you is best discussed within a consultation with one of our specialists, where they will discuss your treatment options, check you are able to have said treatments (i.e there are no health contraindications).
They will also discuss healing and success rates, check that you are happy with any potential risks and address any necessary pre-care, post-care, treatment plans and pricing.
Other potential treatment options
Here at Cambridge Contour Clinic, we focus on minimally invasive techniques to optimise healing and cosmetic outcomes. However, we believe in transparency to help our clients make an informed choice on how they would like to proceed. Therefore, if we are aware of other recognised treatment methods that may be suitable for you, we will discuss these during your consultation.
What to expect
- In-clinic consultation: our specialists perform a face-by-face structural assessment (skin quality, fat compartments, bone support, symmetry), listen to goals, show before/after examples, discuss realistic outcomes and alternatives, and provide an individualised plan with costs and timeline
- Treatment appointment: Treatment is performed by our fully insured and qualified specialists (e.g., dermal fillers, skin-boosters, combination approach). Local anaesthesia or topical numbing is used when needed. You can expect to see results within 24 hours, with further improvement over the coming days and weeks.
- Immediate aftercare & safety checks: Post-treatment photos are taken, and aftercare instructions are given. Our emergency contact procedure is also explained in case of unusual pain, severe swelling, or visual changes.
- Follow-up & review: With certain treatments, a review visit is arranged to check the settling of the product, address any potential minor asymmetry or touch-ups, and confirm satisfaction.
- Maintenance & longer-term care: If desired, schedule maintenance injections or complementary skin-boosting / collagen-stimulating procedures. Provide guidance on sun protection, skin care and lifestyle to maximise longevity.
Volume Frequently Asked Questions
Is volume loss 'just aesthetic'?
Yes - it is a common, natural change many people experience.
Does filler look fake?
When placed strategically by experienced practitioners, results can look subtle and natural, restoring support rather than changing “you”.
How long do the results last?
Depending on the area, aftercare and lifestyle, typically 6 – 18 months, though maintenance may be needed.
Is downtime required?
Minimal: most people return to daily activities with potential slight redness or swelling for 1-2 days.
Will I need more than one area treated?
Possibly: often, a balanced outcome requires restoring support in multiple zones for harmony.
Am I suitable for treatment?
Factors such as pregnancy or breastfeeding, blood transmissible diseases, muscular disorders or skin conditions are some, but not all, factors that need to be assessed for suitability. Our specialists will guide you through any contraindications during your consultation. You must also be over the age of 18.
