How is Juvederm Voluma Different from Sculptra?

Question

I have been considering getting Sculptra for quite a while now and just heard about a new product, Juvederm Voluma. Both are supposed to last longer than traditional fillers such as Restylane, which appeals to me. Can you explain the difference between Sculptra and Juvederm Voluma? Thanks!

Janet Allenby, DO · Answer

Hello,

Thank you for your question. Sculptra and Voluma are very different. Sculptra is a filler that will grow your collagen. It will be approximately 2 months before you see full results. It usually gives a soft full look, and can also enhance the texture of the skin. Voluma is HA that is bonded in a stronger way so it will last longer than other HA's It will give more of a contoured or structured look to the cheek area, and offers instant gratification. It's best to visit a local physician for a full consultation of what would give you the best results. Good luck!

Matthew Richardson, MD · Answer

Voluma is a hyaluronic acid gel-based product that works immediately and augments a given area. While it works great for restoring volume in places like the cheeks and temples, it can also be used to fill more specific, well-defined areas like the marionette lines, or used to build up the chin or jawline. The advantage of Voluma is that it works immediately and can be placed very specifically into a certain area. It can also be dissolved by hyaluronidase in the rare event that there is a problem after the injection.
Sculptra is made of poly-L-lactic-acid, PLLA, and is a powder that is dissolved into a liquid prior to injection. The liquid in which the PLLA is suspended gets absorbed by the body over the first few days after injection. The body then generates its own collagen in response to the PLLA left in the soft tissues over the course of several months. Sculptra works well in broad areas of volume loss like the cheeks and temples, but not as well for specific contour deficits like the marionette lines. Sculptra also takes several months to build up, and is injected over a series of several treatments rather than working immediately like Voluma. The advantage of Sculptra is that it tends to be cost-effective and can produce very long-lasting results.
Always see an expert physician injector.
All the best,

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD · Answer

Voluma is a great product to lift the cheeks into higher position and provide more structure and shape.  It is a hyaluronic acid based filler.  Sculptra is a biostimulator which results in collagen formation.  It is a great way to fill in broader areas of facial volume loss.  I am often combining both Sculptra and Voluma (or other hyaluronic acid fillers) in the same session.

Donald B. Yoo, MD, FACS · Answer

Juvederm Voluma is a hyaluronic acid (like Restylane, Juvederm and Belotero) which has cross-linking that allows it to last longer than any of the other hyaluronic acids (HA).  It also has an elastic modulus that allows it to "lift" tissue - and will be FDA approved specifically for volumization, while the other HAs are approved for dermal filling (skin).  It provides volume instantly and is slowly degraded by the body over the course of 2 years or more. Sculptra is biostimulatory, meaning it promotes new collagen formation from your body.  Instead of creating volume physically it stimulates your own skin to produce it, and thus is a gradual process.  Both Sculptra and Juvederm Voluma will produce longer lasting results than the fillers on the market.  Obtaining great results, as with any product, will also depend on choosing the right doctor.

Rebecca Fitzgerald, MD · Answer

As of this date, Juvederm Voluma is not available in the US - but we hear it's coming soon.The two products work very differently.Sculptra is a stimulator of collagen so the effects you get are from your own body's response as opposed to the filler itself. Results are long lasting since they are your own collagen.Juvederm Voluma is a denser formulation of the Juvederm fillers and the projected longevity is more than that of Restylane or the current Juvederm(s). Exactly how long any filler will last depends on how your body reacts.Once Juvederm Voluma is available and used in practices in the US, we'll be able to give a fairly realistic estimate of how long it actually lasts.

Steven L. Greene, MD · Answer

These two products are not chemically related. Sculptra is Poly L Lactic Acid related to dissolvable suture material used in surgery and more slowly stimulates collagen production c offering natural contouring. Voluma is Hyaluronic Acid gel, a natural ingredient made by our body, crosslinked for longevity and attracts water contributing to its immediate filling results. Both products will show immediate results but over the week after Sculptra injections, the water component of the product (offering a preview of final results) is absorbed but setting the stage for later volume replacement.  Another option is to inject both at the same initial injection session which adds quicker enhancements.
I hope this is helpful to you.
Steve Greene MD

Promila Banerjee, MD · Answer

Both are great fillers.  Soft natural looking lift is achieved from Voluma Juvederm.  It is a hyaluronic acid filler which gets broken down and we make less of it in our skin as we age.  This is a safe filler and reversible (in case you don't like results).  Depending on your stage of aging, you will need a few syringes periodically over 12- 18 months to achieve results for 18 - 24 months.
Sculptra is a collagen inducing filler and builds slowly over weeks to months.  Produces natural results.  Also needs a series of at least 3 sessions in most cases for optimal results.  Literature reports that it lasts 2 years; personally observed it to last more than 2 years if your are using lasers and if you are keeping up with the maintenance of Sculptra results every 6-12 months.
Hope this guides you to make the best choice for you.
Best wishes, Dr B

Karen Beasley, MD · Answer

Sculptra and Voluma are two different types of filler. Sculptra uses poly-L-lactic acid to stimulate collagen production in the skin over time, leading to natural, long lasting results. Voluma is a hyaluronic acid filler that provides immediate volume when injected. Both can be great for rejuvenating the mid-face, and can even be used together. I recommend visiting a board-certified dermatologist for an in-person consultation to discuss your goals and come up with the best treatment plan.

Michele S. Green, MD · Answer

Sculptra is a liquid based injection which stimulates the body to produce its own collagen thereby creating volume in the face.  Voluma is a newer hyaluronic acid gel which was designed to be injected into the mid-face and provide immediate volume replacement.  Sculptra has extremely natural  results because it allows your body to produce its own collagen gradually.  Please find a board certified Dermatologist who has a great deal of experience in cosmetics and facial injections for the best result.

Elizabeth F. Rostan, MD · Answer

Juvederm volume is not yet FDA approved in the United States and is not available for injection currently. It is a filler that is supposed to be injected deeply to create lift and volume. I imagine it will be used similarly to Sculptra in a "liquid facelift" way but I don't know a whole lot about it since it is not available and I also don't know how much it will cost. Given that it is a hyaluronic filler it will not be as pliable as sculptra and maybe not ideal in some of the areas where we use sculptra like the jawline and lateral cheeks. I would think it will be a great filler for the cheek area.

How is Juvederm Voluma Different from Sculptra?

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