Can Juvederm Voluma be used to improve the appearance of acne scars?

Voluma has a few properties that make it different from some of the other hyaluronic acid fillers. Voluma has a very high 'G prime,' which is a measurement of its resistance to being deformed. Because it is so difficult to deform Voluma, it provides an excellent amount of lift, and that is why it is such a great filler for the midface at providing some amount of lift. Generally, Voluma is injected very deep, and with a larger diameter needle. That is not to say that it could not be diluted with some lidocaine, making it easier to inject through a small needle and more superficially in the skin. It sounds like you are fairly experienced with your treatment options for your particular situation, so if you can find somebody who is experienced enough and willing to do it, I say go for it. I think it may be a great option for you. Don't forget that there's always a risk of a bluish discoloration when a hyaluronic acid filler is injected too superficially.Be sure to choose a dermatologist, plastic surgeon, facial plastic surgeon, or oculoplastic surgeon who is board certified in one of these 'core four' cosmetic specialties.

Thank you for your question. An in person consultation would be best to determine the treatment appropriate for your condition. Best,

Voluma is a thicker, firmer filler that is not ideal for sub-cutaneous injections. Acne scars are tethered by underlying fibrosis - in my view, trying to fill acne scar with dermal fillers does not make a lot of sense. I've had better luck with punch excision and punch elevation of these troublesome scars.

Voluma is a great facial volumizer. However, for superficial acne scars, Belotero or Juvederm might be better options. Consult with your dermatologist about which filler would work best for you. 

Probably the greatest difficulty for using voluma to treat acne scars is that you need a slightly larger gauge needle to inject it as it is very thick. We typically use juvederm ultra for acne scars.  the characteristics that we like are the high hydrophilic (absorbs a lot of water like a sponge) nature of the ultra and its ease of getting into scars and ballooning them open.  Belotero absorbs very little water and is also easily deformed.  In contrast voluma absorbs very little water but is resistant to being deformed (retains its shape/volume) which is why it is such a good midface filler.

Juvederm Ultra would in most cases be a better alternative Juvederm Voluma for acne scars. Consult with an experienced physician master injector to understand your options.

Voluma is typically not the most ideal treatment for acne scarring unless there is sagging skin as well. Usually subcision and a lighter filler like Juvederm or Restylane is more appropriate. It is best to consult with your board-certified dermatologist to determine the treatment that's best for you. 

Voluma is supposed to be injected at deeper depths than other fillers due to its FDA clearance. So injecting it into acne scarring would be much more superficial than is recommended in most cases. That's not to say it wouldn't work or there's not a case for it or that many of us don't use products "off-label". At this point I haven't seen it used for anything like this, nor have I seen or read anything about it, even from my colleagues in Canada who have been using Voluma for much longer. To me it would depend on the sides of the scar and the depth. It you have softer, more rolling sides on your scars, it might be ok, but if they are deep walls, I think I would much prefer to use Restylane in these types of scars. "This answer has been solicited without seeing this patient and
cannot be held as true medical advice, but only opinion. Seek in-person
treatment with a trained medical professional for appropriate care."