TikTok users are increasingly turning to a plant-based cream called Volufiline to combat the gaunt facial appearance often associated with rapid weight loss from GLP-1 drugs. While social media influencers claim the treatment restores volume, medical experts remain skeptical about its ability to reach facial fat cells.
The TikTok-driven surge for Anemarrhena asphodeloides extract
The sudden popularity of Volufiline is tied to the rise of "Ozempic face," a term used to describe the hollowed cheeks and sagging skin that can result from using weight-loss medications like Wegovy or Mounjaro. this phenomenon is often driven by the rapid shedding of body weight, which a study in the Journal of Clinical Medicine linked to the loss of facial fullness.
As reported by the source, the ingredient at the center of this trend is an extract derived from the root of Anemarrhena asphodeloides, a plant native to China and Mongolia. While the manufacturer, Croda, has been selling this ingredient for roughly a decade, it has recently seen a massive resurgence in interest due to hundreds of millions of views on TikTok from users seeking non-invasive alternatives to cosmetic fillers.
A 2.2 per cent volume increase in Croda's breast study
Proponents of the treatemnt frequently cite a study conducted by the manufacturer to justify its use. According to the report, researchers involved in a study of 28 women found that applying the extract to one breast resulted in an average 2.2 per cent increase in volume over nearly two months compared to the untreated side.
The purported mechanism relies on a compound known as sarsasapogenin. Dermatologist Hadley King told Vogue that this compound is thought to encourage existing fat cells beneath the skin to hold more fat, which theoretically creates a plumper, fuller appearance. Some social media users have even gone so far as to claim the cream can provide "cheekbones like Bella Hadid."
Why Dr. Christopher Rowland Payne doubts topical penetration
Despite the viral testimonials , many dermatologists argue that the biological reality of skin absorption makes these claims unlikely. Dr. christopher Rowland Payne, a consultant dermatologist at The London Clinic, expressed significant skepticism regarding the product's efficacy for facial volumization.
Dr. Payne noted that it would be "almost not possible" for a topical product to penetrate deeply enough into the skin to reach the fat cells required to increase facial volume. He suggested that any perceived improvement in a user's appearance might actually be the result of increased skin hydration, which can make the face appear more "glowy" without actually changing the underlying fat structure.
The clinical distinction between Volufiline and lipofilling
Medical professionals emphasize that topical creams are not a substitute for established medical procedures. For patients experiencing significant facial gauntness due to GLP-1 agonist treatments, doctors typically recommend more permanent solutions such as lipofilling—where fat is moved from one part of the body to the face—or traditional filler injections .
Dr. sweta Rai, a consultant dermatologist at King's College Hospital, warned that consumers should be cautious of viral beauty trends marketed as medical alternatives. She noted that from a medical standpoint, it is difficult to see how a topical agent could achieve the same results as an injection designed for volumization.
Can sarsasapogenin actually reach facial fat cells?
Several critical questions remain regarding the long-term effectiveness and biological pathway of Volufiline. it is currently unverified whether the sarsasapogenin compound can successfully bypass the skin barrier to impact fat cells in the face,or if the results seen in the Croda breast study can be replicated in facial tissue. furthermore, the source does not address whether the "plumping" effect is temporary or if there are any long-term dermatological risks associated with the frequent application of this plant extract to mask the side effects of weight-loss medications.
Comments 0