NOVUMA® in Harrow and Battersea: Collagen Stimulation, Results and What to Expect
Medically reviewed by Dr Ali Radwan Abas and Dr Ajmal Naqshbandi GMC-registered GPs and co-founders of Clinic N°44 Last medically reviewed: 01/10/2026
Losing facial definition is not always about needing more volume. Changes in skin firmness and the support beneath the skin can also contribute to deeper folds, softer contours and a less defined lower face.
At Clinic N°44, we introduced NOVUMA to help address the combination of reduced facial support and changes in skin quality. Its appeal lies in its dual action: an initial supporting effect, followed by gradual collagen stimulation.
If you are considering NOVUMA in Harrow or Battersea, this guide explains how it works, how we plan treatment, and how it compares with other injectables, including Radiesse.
What is NOVUMA?
NOVUMA is an injectable collagen biostimulator containing calcium hydroxylapatite, usually abbreviated to CaHA, suspended in a carboxymethylcellulose—or CMC—gel carrier.
It combines an initial filling effect with stimulation of the skin’s collagen-producing cells. This makes it an option to discuss when facial support and skin firmness are both concerns.
What is calcium hydroxylapatite?
Calcium hydroxylapatite is a mineral naturally present in human bones and teeth. The CaHA used in aesthetic injectables is manufactured for medical use; it is not taken from human bone or teeth.
Its presence naturally in the body helps explain the material’s use in medicine, but does not make an injectable treatment risk-free. The formulation, treatment area, injection technique and individual suitability all matter.
How does NOVUMA work?
NOVUMA’s two components play different roles.
The CMC gel contributes to the early filling and supporting effect. The CaHA microspheres encourage fibroblasts—the cells responsible for producing collagen—to become active.
VIVACY describes NOVUMA’s Advanced BioSphere Technology as using smooth, round CaHA particles. The aim is progressive improvement in tissue support and skin quality as the product interacts with the surrounding tissues.
Does NOVUMA add volume?
Yes. NOVUMA can produce an initial increase in volume, which we aim to keep subtle and appropriate to your facial structure.
The CMC carrier gradually breaks down over the following weeks, while collagen-related changes develop. These processes overlap: the early gel effect fades as the longer-term tissue response becomes more relevant. The initial fullness should therefore not be mistaken for the final result.
The amount of visible volume depends on the formulation used, quantity, placement and your anatomy. NOVUMA should not be described as a completely “volume-free” treatment.
What concerns can NOVUMA address?
NOVUMA may be considered for selected concerns involving facial support, folds and contour. VIVACY identifies the cheeks, nasolabial folds, marionette lines and facial oval among its target areas.
During your consultation, we assess what is contributing to the change you can see. For example, a deeper fold beside the mouth may reflect changes in surrounding support, rather than simply needing that line filled.
Our assessment considers:
Facial proportions and existing volume.
The location and degree of reduced support.
Skin firmness and laxity.
Previous aesthetic treatments.
The improvement you would consider worthwhile.
The aim is a treatment plan that fits your face and priorities.
Can NOVUMA help with jowls or skin laxity?
NOVUMA may be an option where reduced support contributes to a softer lower-face contour. However, jowls can also involve tissue descent, excess skin and changes in fat distribution.
An injectable treatment cannot remove excess skin or reproduce a surgical facelift. Adding volume to an already heavy lower face may also be unhelpful.
At Clinic N°44, we explain which part of your concern NOVUMA could reasonably address. If the main issue requires a different approach, we will discuss that during your assessment.
How many NOVUMA sessions will I need?
At Clinic N°44, we usually recommend a course of two to three sessions, depending on the individual.
This is our personalised treatment approach, rather than a fixed requirement for every patient. The number of sessions depends on your starting point, treatment area, amount used and response.
We generally recommend a review six to eight weeks after treatment. At that appointment, we assess your progress and decide whether a second or third session is appropriate, or whether it is better to allow more time for the result to develop.
A review is an opportunity to reassess—not an automatic commitment to further injections.
When will I see results?
There are two aspects to the timeline: the early effect of the injected product and the gradual development of the tissue response.
Some patients may notice early changes from around four weeks, but visible improvement at that stage cannot be assumed to represent new collagen alone. NOVUMA’s application protocol describes the biostimulatory effect as becoming more evident around eight to twelve weeks. Results should therefore be assessed over months, rather than days.
At Clinic N°44, the six-to-eight-week review helps us assess how treatment is settling and plan the next step, while recognising that collagen remodelling is still developing.
How long does NOVUMA last?
Results may last 18–24 months in some patients, but this is a possible duration rather than a guaranteed or universal outcome. NOVUMA’s protocol describes a broader duration of approximately 12–24 months, and notes that dilution can shorten the effect.
Your treatment area, quantity used, technique and individual response influence longevity. We will discuss a realistic expectation for your particular plan and review whether maintenance treatment is worthwhile as the result changes.
NOVUMA vs Radiesse: what is the difference?
NOVUMA and Radiesse belong to the same broad family of calcium hydroxylapatite collagen-stimulating injectables. Both contain CaHA microspheres in a CMC gel carrier and combine an initial filling effect with collagen stimulation.
However, they are separate products with their own formulations, instructions and supporting evidence. Radiesse has a longer published clinical history, including studies of facial correction and jawline treatment. Those findings should not automatically be presented as NOVUMA-specific results.
If you have been researching Radiesse in Harrow or Battersea, NOVUMA is another CaHA-based option you may wish to discuss during a medical consultation. That does not mean the products are interchangeable or that one is necessarily better for every patient.
At Clinic N°44, we offer NOVUMA and explain why we would—or would not—recommend it for your concerns.
How is NOVUMA different from hyaluronic acid filler?
Both treatments involve an injectable material, but their composition and treatment planning differ.
Hyaluronic acid fillers can be used to restore volume or refine shape. NOVUMA also provides support, with CaHA contributing a collagen-stimulating effect.
A particularly important difference is reversibility. NOVUMA cannot be dissolved with hyaluronidase in the way hyaluronic acid filler can. Hyaluronidase acts on hyaluronic acid; it does not dissolve CaHA particles.
This is one reason we place emphasis on careful patient selection, conservative planning and a clear discussion of expectations.
What happens at your consultation?
We begin by asking what you have noticed and what you would like to improve. We also discuss what you want to preserve about your appearance.
Your doctor will review your medical history, medications, allergies and previous aesthetic procedures before assessing your face. Please bring details of previous injectable products and treatment dates where possible.
We will explain:
Whether NOVUMA is suitable.
The proposed areas and treatment course.
The likely benefits and limitations.
Alternatives, including choosing no treatment.
Potential complications, aftercare and follow-up.
The cost of your personalised plan.
You should feel comfortable asking questions and taking time to decide.
What are the risks and recovery considerations?
Temporary swelling, bruising, redness and tenderness can occur. Bruising may remain visible after the initial swelling settles, so allow flexibility around important events.
Other possible complications include infection, persistent lumps or nodules, inflammation, asymmetry and an unsatisfactory result. Rare but serious complications from facial filler injections include blockage of a blood vessel, which can cause skin damage, visual loss or stroke.
You will receive individual aftercare instructions. Unusual or worsening pain, pale or mottled skin, or visual changes require urgent assessment. Visual symptoms are an emergency.
Is NOVUMA suitable for everyone?
No. Suitability depends on your medical history, the condition of the treatment area and whether the product can realistically address your concern.
Treatment is generally deferred during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and active infection or inflammation at the proposed injection site needs to be addressed first. Other conditions, allergies and medications may also affect suitability.
Tell your doctor about all prescribed medicines and supplements. Do not stop prescribed medication yourself in preparation for treatment.
Why choose Clinic N°44?
Clinic N°44 was founded by Dr Ali Radwan Abas and Dr Ajmal Naqshbandi, GMC-registered doctors who have completed UK specialty training in General Practice.
Our injectable treatments are performed by doctors. Complex cases can also be considered through our Two-Doctor Principle, allowing both doctors to contribute to treatment planning.
Our approach to NOVUMA is measured and individual. We discuss what treatment can achieve, allow time for results to develop, and use review appointments to guide further recommendations.
The aim is to help you make an informed decision and achieve an improvement that remains in keeping with your features.
Book a NOVUMA consultation in Harrow or Battersea
If you are considering NOVUMA, collagen-stimulating injections or alternatives to conventional filler, contact Clinic N°44 to discuss an assessment at your preferred location.
Harrow:
50 Greenhill Way, Harrow, HA1 1JP
Battersea:
Ravenscroft Health, 51 Falcon Road, London, SW11 2HP
Telephone: 07428 531375
Email: enquiries@clinicnumber44.com
Arrange your consultation with Clinic N°44 to discuss suitability, treatment options and a personalised quotation.
Individual results and treatment requirements vary. This article provides general information and does not replace a medical consultation.
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