Is it true that you would need more syringes of Voluma for the same effect as Radiesse?

I have used Voluma since it was FDA approved and have been very impressed with the smoothness of delivery that I can feel as it flows during my gentle injections. Radiesse is a pleasure to use as well but requires mixing of some anesthetic prior to its injection.  Voluma is a hyaluronic acid filler so it's reversible with an enzyme should it be necessary but Radiesse will last until the body dissolves it which is about one year or slightly more or less. Indications are that Voluma may last up to two years. Voluma is not approved for any area of the face and many patients can benefit from Voluma in the mid cheek/cheek bone area while Radiesse can be used in the temples and lower face. The cost of Voluma and Radiesse must take into account the slightly larger syringe of Radiesse but the one year expectancy of its duration compared with the two years of Voluma.

Although Radiesse syringes are larger than Voluma (1.5 cc vs. 1.0 cc) I find I need almost exactly the same number of syringes since Voluma lifts better than Radiesse.

Facial volume augmentation can be achieved with multiple FDA
approved fillers like Voluma, Radiesse and Restylane. Clinical results should
be similar besides the type of filler used if injected by an experienced injector.
The longevity of the results may vary depending on the type of filler used. The
soft tissue fillers based on HA (Hyaluronic Acid) like Voluma have the
advantage of being “reversible” with he injection of an enzymatic solution
shall it be necessary.



Patients seeking facial soft
tissue agumentation with fillers like Voluma or Radiese should undergo
consultation with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon expert in aesthetic surgery
of the face

Voluma is the only filler approved by the FDA for cheek augmentation.  Radiesse is used off label for this purpose.  Voluma is excellent at lifting with small volumes.  It is true that Radiesse is supplied in larger syringes (1.5 cc versus 1.0 cc for Voluma), but Voluma has a 2 year longevity indication by the FDA.  This doesn't mean that Voluma will last a full 2 years.  In the FDA study, over 50% of the subjects still had correction at 2 years.  So it is likely that a touch up of a syringe or 2 will be necessary at a year or so to maintain the results with Voluma.  The other benefit of Voluma is that it is a hyaluronic acid product, so in case there was a situation in which you wanted it reversed or removed, there is an injection of an enzyme that can dissolve it, unlike Radiesse.  Thus, it could be considered safer, as well.

These are two totally different fillers with different indications. Some of this patient selection and some is where the patient needs filler. Keep in mind Voluma is indicated only for mid face/cheek. Discuss options with a board certified dermatologist. 

Voluma is relatively new to the market and it is an excellent product that is easy to use and well tolerated.  In my opinion the voluma seems to be smoother and I find it injects very nicely especially in the central cheek.Voluma is also reversible in the rare instance where the filler needs to be removed - Radiesse cannot be removed. Personally, I have not injected a single patient with Radiesse in the cheeks since Voluma was approved in the US because patients have loved the treatment and referred their friends asking for it. I think it feels very natural and is more malleable,  meaning it can be molded into a nicer cheekbone shape. There is nothing wrong with Radiesse but I personally feel that Voluma is a superior product when performing non-surgical cheek augmentation. I hope this information is helpful.

These choices are all about trade-offs. Voluma is likely more expensive on a cost per milliliter stand-point but lasts 2-4 times as long as Radiesse in the cheeks. Voluma is also reversible in the rare instance where the filler needs to be removed - Radiesse cannot be removed. Personally, I have not injected a single patient with Radiesse in the cheeks since Voluma was approved in the US. I think it looks and feels more natural and is more malleable meaning it can be molded into a nicer cheekbone shape. There is nothing wrong with Radiesse but I personally feel that Voluma is a superior product when performing non-surgical cheek augmentation. I hope this information is helpful.Stephen Weber MD, FACSDenver Facial Plastic Surgeon

Voluma or Radiesse don't really produce a different look if they are injected in the same manner.  Radiesse  is less expensive per tube and comes in a larger amount than Voluma (1.8cc vs 1.0cc) and thus someone could use more tubes of Voluma to achieve the same effect.  Voluma lasts at least 24 months however compared to about 6 months for Radiesse.  I also find that Voluma causes a little less bruising.