Juvederm Voluma vs Sculptra

All hyaluronic acid fillers (HA) are made of naturally occuring substances in your skin, there is no problem using these short or long term.  I am not a firm believer these promote any collagen growth however, which is where you gain permanent long term results.  That is why I am a fan of using Sculptra, which is a collagen stimuating agent, to give you long term lift and contouring; while also using the other temporary fillers for lines, volume, and shape.  Using both together or one alone, can still give good results.  It all depends on the techniques of the person injecting.  See a cosmetic dermatologist or plastic surgeon with experience in the use of fillers for pan facial volumization.  I wish you the best of luck, Dr. Emer.

Perhaps there was a miscommunication, Juvederm products are all made from hyaluronic acids. Hyaluronic acids naturally occur in the body. Juvederm is a widely used product with minimal side effects. Best, 

I am not a big fan of sculptra unless you truly have wasting of the tissue.  Also, I disagree that Juvederm Utra is going to do any damage.  If you have had good luck with Juvederm, I'd stick with it and perhaps seek treatment with someone with whom you can agree upon a treatment plan.

I have been using natural fillers of all kinds for three decades, starting with the original Zyderm collagen back in the early eighties. While there are many short and long-term concerns with the use of non-natural, foreign-to-the-body materials, such as silicone, bio-Alcamid, and Artefill/Artecoll--products that I choose not to use, I am not aware of any concerns, regarding the amounts of natural materials, such as hyaluronic acid (the main component of Juvederm and Restylane) materials or the number of times they may be used. In fact, they can be used to correct the aesthetic problem and as often as needed to maintain or improve the correction. In addition, hyaluronic acid-based fillers and volumizers can be easily dissolved with a natural enzyme, hyaluronidase, if this is ever needed or desired--adding an incredible level of safety to the hyaluronic acid class of products.While I am not a fan of Sculptra for a variety of reasons, despite not being a normal component of the body, it, too, is subject to our body's own metabolic breakdown products and will disappear with time. However, there is no known enzyme to hasten its dissolution if this were needed. Moreover, unlike its hyaluronic acid counterparts, Sculptra's results are not immediate. In fact, it usually takes several sessions to achieve optimal correction. Given the above, I would have more hesitation with Sculptra use than with the Juvederm Ultra Plus. My suggestion is a second opinion with a board certified aesthetic core physician with extensive experience in injecting all of the available agents. 

The statement about juvederm causing problems doesn't sound like logic. The truth is that our body tolerates the hyaluronic acid (HA) products exceptionally well, and then converts some of the volume to our own natural collagen with repeated use.  So if anything , additional juvederm, or more specifically any HA, will actually seem beneficial over time. The only thing I would add that might defend such a statement is that maybe it might look too focally augmented and no longer look natural.Other studies have shown that it's safe to mix products like HA's, sculptra, or calcium products (Radiesse) in the same area of augmentation.We are truthfully using a fraction of the sculptra and radiesse that we enjoyed for years, now that voluma has come along.  As another HA, it fills softly and subtly, is reversible, and unlike sculptra gives immediate volume. And it lasts for at least a year, possibly two.  And while there are still patients and sites that still might direct to a specific filler, we are using less sculptra now.Continue to consult with physicians until you feel comfortable with the approach suggested.

I would use Juvederm Voluma or Ultra Plus 100% of the time over Sculptra. There are certain indication which Sculptra is good for, however Juvederm is the closest thing to the Hyaluronic Acid that your own body creates. I seriously doubt that Juvederm would do any damage to you in the long run unless you have some predisposing condition that would prohibit its use. Especially in the cheek area Juvederm Voluma is now the filler of choice. With just one treatment you can see visible results that can last up to 2 years. 

Juvederm
Ultra Plus is different than Juvederm Voluma, though they are both Hyaluronic
Acid Fillers.

Juvederm
Ultra Plus is used to temporarily add volume and improve deep facial wrinkles
and folds, lasting 9 months to a year.

Juvederm Voluma
is specifically formulated to correct volume loss and enhance contour to the
mid cheek area creating a more youthful appearance. Voluma instantly provides a
smooth, natural-looking appearance to the cheek area that last up to 2 years
with optimal treatment.

Sculptra is
used to correct shallow to deep facial wrinkles and folds, it is specifically
designed to stimulate natural collagen growth over an extended period of time
with multiple sessions. Once you are done with your Sculptra treatment sessions
the results can last up to 2 years.

Physicians
have different preferences when it comes to what they like to inject, however I
don’t see how Juvederm Ultra Plus can cause harm. It’s difficult to comment on
that statement without knowing your medical history. Consult with a Board
Certified Dermatologist to see which option is best for you and how many
sessions/syringes you would need.

Your surgeons answer may be related to his examination, and they may be stating they dont think you would benefit. We do not have a picture to review.The fillers used for volumizing have included all of them but primarily Radiesse, Sculptra, and now Voluma.Voluma is the only one that has approval for that indication. The others are used off label.Voluma has the advantage of lasting up to 2 years. It is reversable since it is hyaluronic acid based.Radiesse is a good choice and can be more cost effective, it lasts longer than  1 year, but is not reversable. Sculptra has not been consistent for me, and is not as reliable in the  upper cheek.Be aware it can take multiple syringes.

Hello,I would not be concerned about the safety of HA products injected by a competent physician.After injecting over 50,000 people, I have seen nothing but safe and wonderfully natural results.I believe  you will find that in the right hands, you will get more immediate results with HA than sculptra.Dr. Malouf

What your physician said makes no sense.  Juvederm Ultra, Ultra Plus, Voluma and Volbella are made of naturally occuring hyaluronic acid that is then cross-linked to provide stability and longevity.  They are safe, soft, natural and, if necessary, reversible.  As mentioned, Sculptra has its uses, however, in the vast majority of cases where volume fillers are indicated, a hyaluronic acid based filler would be the product of choice.