What are Voluma XC risks or side effects?

With Voluma, I recommend that you choose a very experienced injector. It is new on the market, and, while it is made out of hyaluronic acid (like Restylane or Juvederm), the cross-linking makes it much more of a "solid" liquid. This may sound weird, but if you squirt Juvederm or Restylane onto a surface, they make a puddle. If you squirt Voluma, it looks like a Hershey's Kiss. Voluma is supposed to be very long lasting, and is meant to be placed deep (just above the bone) in the cheek area. It is a great filler, and when done correctly, looks amazing. Most doctors that inject a lot of Botox, also inject a lot of filler, but:Botox is not a filler. It is a protein that binds to the junction between the nerve and the muscle and causes the muscle to not respond to the nerve (so it decreases wrinkles because you can't contract the muscles in that area). Botox is always metabolized, and any unwanted outcome will go away. The major risks of Voluma being injected incorrectly (too superficially, too much in one location, no placed just above bone) would be the development of an unwanted lump or asymmetry. You can use hyaluronidase to dissolve the Voluma, but it still might leave unwanted asymmetry or lumpiness. Again, I would definitely recommend an experienced doctor.

I appreciate your question. While most experienced injectors likely work with both Botox and Voluma, they are very different products. Botox is a neuromodulator that targets the muscles in the face that produce some types of wrinkles when certain facial expressions are made. When the muscle relaxes from the Botox, the line smooths away. Voluma is a dermal filler that is injected into the deep dermal layers to smooth away deep lines and restore youthful volume in areas like the midface and jawline. The technique, risks, and goals are very different for these two treatments. Make sure you work with a board-certified injector with extensive experience in your treatment of choice to ensure the best possible results.

Voluma is different than botox. Both require the provider to understand the anatomy of the face, its blood flow distribution, bony landmarks and nerve pathways.As a deep filler Voluma is placed often on top of the bone underneath the muscles. The injector needs to be cautious not to inject into a blood vessel and have the filler travel through the vein or artery to vital structures. Some side effects of injecting fillers are: bruising, infection, soreness,lumpiness, temporary numbness and undercorrection. Complications include but are not limited to: immune reactions causing delayed granulomas, nodules or lumps, bleeding collecting underneath called a hematoma, interference with circulation and scabbing of overlying skin causing scarring, overcorrection, intravascular (within a blood vessel) spread, and even but fortunately extremely rarely, blindness.It is best to see a board certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon for Voluma, or any filler and / or Botox.