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2026.10.21
How Effective Is Volnuma for Sagging Skin? An Explanation of Its Effects, Duration, and Who It’s Best For
As a plastic surgeon, he has experienced many cases and has developed precise techniques and a deep anatomical understanding. Currently, combining his knowledge of plastic surgery with the latest technology, he provides a wide range of cosmetic treatments for skin, contouring, sagging, and other concerns of aging. He has also shared the responsibility of writing Japan's first textbook on gynecological cosmetic surgery, "Basic Techniques of Gynecological Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery. From her experience as an idol during medical school, she realized that "natural beauty" goes beyond the will to choose how you want to be, and she focuses on supporting her patients to "love yourself more every day". We are English-speaking and value counseling that is easy to talk to.
Volnuma is a cosmetic procedure that uses high-frequency (RF) heat to tighten the skin and subcutaneous tissue, with the goal of improving loss of skin firmness and sagging facial contours.
You can generally expect to start noticing results a few days to about one month after the procedure, and the effects typically last about 3 to 6 months. However, this procedure does not directly lift sagging tissue or fill in hollows in the cheeks.
A doctor from BIANCA CLINIC provides a detailed explanation of the scope of Volnuma’s effects and who it is suitable for.
What is Borneuma?
volnemais a non-invasive skin tightening treatment that uses 6.78 MHz monopolar radiofrequency (RF).
Heat is delivered from the dermis to the subcutaneous fat layer to promote tissue tightening and collagen regeneration, with the goal of improving skin firmness and elasticity.
One of its features is the ability to use different-sized tips (cartridges) depending on the treatment area. It is designed to easily target not only the cheeks and jawline but also delicate areas such as under the eyes, around the mouth, and under the chin.
In addition, the rounded tip is designed to conform closely to the contours of the face, ensuring efficient heat delivery.
It also features water-cooling and vibration functions, which help alleviate heat and discomfort during treatment.
Benefits You Can Expect from Borneuma
With Volnuma, you can expect skin and subcutaneous tissue tightening, as well as improved skin firmness and elasticity.
Even when referring to the same issue of “facial sagging,” the appropriate treatment differs depending on whether it involves loosening of the skin on the surface of the cheeks or significant sagging of the underlying tissue. Let’s take a look at the extent to which improvement can be achieved for each specific area of concern.
Skin Tightening
If you're concerned about sagging skin on your cheeks or around your mouth, Volnuma is one option to consider. This is because it uses the thermal effects of high-frequency waves to tighten the skin and subcutaneous tissue.
However, sagging isn't always caused solely by loose skin.
In cases where there is a significant amount of excess skin, or where the fat and supporting tissues in the cheeks have sagged significantly, treatment with light alone may not produce sufficient results.
Face line
"My face looks more square than it used to."
"The outline of my profile has started to look blurry."
In cases where such changes in the jawline occur, Voluma may be a viable option. This is because, if the primary issue is sagging of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, the treatment can help tighten the facial contours.
In cases where there is a lot of fat under the chin, a different approach may be necessary. To tell the difference between fat and sagging,An article explaining the causes of sagging along the jawline...is introduced here.
Beside the mouth
"Chubby cheeks"—the puffiness that forms on the outer corners of the mouth—is a concern for many people in their 40s and older.
Voluma is considered a treatment option for tightening loose skin and subcutaneous tissue around the mouth.
However, the bulge next to the mouth is also caused by sagging cheek fat and supporting tissue. It’s not necessarily true that “if you have a ‘ponyo,’ Volnuma will make it disappear.”
Firmness
We sometimes recommend Volnuma to people who feel that “not only has the contour of their face changed, but their skin’s elasticity is different from before.”
This treatment utilizes changes in collagen caused by thermal stimulation to improve skin firmness and tone.
However, a lack of firmness and a lack of volume are two separate issues. If sunken areas are the main cause of an aged appearance, injection treatments may be more appropriate than skin tightening procedures.
When will I start to feel the effects of Borneuma?
With Volnuma, some people begin to feel the effects immediately after the treatment.
However, the timing at which you notice changes in facial contour tightening and skin firmness and elasticity may differ. While some people notice a more defined facial contour immediately after the treatment, improvements in skin firmness and elasticity become apparent over a period of about 2 to 3 weeks as collagen undergoes changes in response to the thermal stimulation.
During consultations, we explain that the firming effect peaks after about one month, but to be honest, there is significant individual variation.
A Case of Pneumothorax
[Treatment Period and Number of Sessions] Right: Before treatment; Left: One week after treatment
[Side Effects and Risks] Sensation of heat, swelling, redness, bruising, burns, blisters, numbness, loss of sensation, reactivation of herpes simplex, etc.
[Cost] 132,000 yen
This is a case study showing the patient’s appearance before the treatment and one week after the Volnuma treatment; as you can see, the jawline has become more defined. Some patients notice a difference immediately after the treatment, so please check your reflection in the mirror afterward.
Results may vary from person to person, and even if you notice little change immediately after the treatment, it does not necessarily mean the treatment was ineffective.
In addition, temporary swelling may make it difficult to assess any changes immediately after the procedure. It is important to monitor progress while taking into account factors such as skin thickness, pre-existing sagging, and the treatment area.
How long do the effects last?
The effects of Volnuma typically last about 3 to 6 months. However, not everyone will maintain the same level of firmness for the same length of time.
Individual results may vary depending on factors such as natural skin laxity, lifestyle habits, and changes due to aging.
It also doesn't mean, "If it lasts six months, it won't sag for half a year."
Because the changes in the skin, fat, and supporting tissues that cause sagging continue even after the procedure, the condition will change over time.
In addition, the duration of the treatment and the recommended interval until the next session are two separate considerations. Even if you feel the effects have weakened, this does not necessarily mean you need another treatment right away. The need for continued treatment is determined based on your progress.
How many times and how often should I get it done?
With Volnuma, some people notice a tightening effect even after just one treatment. To maintain the results, it’s generally recommended to continue treatments about once every 3 to 6 months.
That said, you don't have to take it at the same intervals every time.
The best time for a follow-up treatment varies depending on your post-treatment progress—for example, if you “still feel the skin tightening” or “have recently started noticing sagging around the corners of your mouth again.”
At our clinic, we recommend the timing of your next treatment after assessing the results of your previous session, the condition of your skin, and the amount of fat in your cheeks. Rather than focusing on the number of sessions, we prioritize a treatment schedule that is tailored to the current condition of your face.
Who Should Use Volnuma?
Borneuma is ideal for those concerned about sagging skin or a lack of firmness.
"My cheeks and the sides of my mouth seem to have sagged more than before."
"My jawline has started to look a little less defined."
These are some typical examples of such concerns.
This procedure is also suitable for those who want to achieve natural-looking results without surgery. However, it is not entirely free of pain or downtime.
It is not something that is uniformly determined based on age groups such as those in their 30s, 40s, or 50s.
The results you can expect will vary depending on skin thickness, body fat, and the degree of tissue sagging. That is why it is important to focus on the underlying causes rather than just your age when choosing a treatment.
People Who Might Not Be Suited for This
Bolnuma may not be suitable for people with a large amount of excess skin or significant tissue sagging.
In such cases, tightening alone may not be enough to achieve the desired lifting effect. Thread lifts or surgical procedures may be appropriate in some cases.
In addition, even if you are concerned about sagging skin, you should exercise caution if you have sunken cheeks or a lack of volume. Since tightening the skin may make these hollows more noticeable, we carefully assess your fat volume and the treatment area.
In addition, for individuals who are pregnant or have implantable medical devices, the suitability of the procedure must be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Differences from HIFU
Both Volnuma and HIFU are heat-based treatments for sagging skin, but they differ in how heat is delivered to the tissue.
While Volnuma uses radiofrequency (RF) to heat the skin and subcutaneous tissue, HIFU is a procedure that focuses ultrasound waves at a targeted depth.
The key is to determine which parts you want to change and how.
The appropriate treatment varies depending on whether you want to improve skin firmness or address sagging in your facial contours. Additionally, if tissue sagging is severe, it may be difficult to achieve sufficient improvement with either treatment.
For more information on the features of each option and who they're best suited for,Comparison Article on Volnuma and HIFUThis is explained in detail there.
Is there a chance my cheeks will become sunken?
Even with Volnuma, sunken cheeks may become noticeable depending on the treatment area and conditions. Since the heat from radiofrequency penetrates not only the dermis but also the subcutaneous fat layer, the effect on fat volume must also be taken into account.
However, having sunken cheeks is not the same as actually losing fat.
For people who naturally have little fat in their cheeks, the surrounding tissues may tighten, which could make the hollows more noticeable.
At Bianca Clinic, we assess factors such as skin thickness, elasticity, cheek fat volume, and your history of previous treatments, while taking care to preserve the necessary volume. If you’re concerned about sunken cheeks, please feel free to consult with us.
Frequently Asked Questions About Borneuma
Here are answers to frequently asked questions about the effects of Volnuma, treatment intervals, and sunken cheeks.
Q1. What is Borneuma used for?
The primary goals are to improve skin firmness and elasticity and to tighten sagging skin and subcutaneous tissue. It may also be an option for sagging along the jawline or around the mouth, though suitability varies depending on the cause.
Q2. When will I see results?
Some people notice a difference immediately after the treatment, while others begin to feel the effects anywhere from a few days to about a month later. Since the way the effects manifest varies from person to person, it’s important not to judge based solely on your initial impression.
Q3. How many months does it last?
A general guideline is about 3 to 6 months. However, the duration of the effects varies depending on the degree of sagging and the treatment conditions. The same level of firmness will not last for the entire period.
Q4. How many times will you take it?
Some people notice a difference after just one session. If you decide to continue treatment, we generally recommend coming in once every 3 to 6 months, though the exact number of sessions and frequency may vary.
Q5. Do your cheeks look sunken?
Even with Volnuma, the risk of sunken cheeks is not zero. It is important to assess the amount of fat in the cheeks and the degree of hollowing, and to administer the treatment while taking into account its impact on volume.
Consider the effects of Volnuma based on the cause of sagging
Volnuma is a treatment designed to improve skin firmness and tighten the skin and subcutaneous tissue. However, for cases of severe sagging or loss of volume, other treatments may be more appropriate.
At BIANCA CLINIC, we assess the condition of each patient’s face and recommend a sagging treatment tailored to their desired results.
If you're unsure whether Volnuma is right for you, please feel free to consult with our clinic. For information on the various types of anti-sagging treatments and how to choose the right one,The Complete Guide to Facial Sagging TreatmentsIt also explains that.
▷View a list of anti-aging treatments for sagging skin and facial lifting, along with case studies
▷Try a consultation at BIANCA CLINIC
