Voluma is the latest injectable product designed for lasting up to 2 years.
It is a type of hyaluronic acid injectable made from Allergan, the makers of Botox. Voluma is FDA approved for use along the midface however can be used off-label in other locations including the following:
Loss of volume in the face is common due to life, in general. Stress and time are our biggest adversaries. Voluma is a treatment that can help restore volume and is made to last long due to its thicker nature than other fillers. Dr. Shah has the expertise to inject Voluma into problem areas and make it appear as natural as possible so the patient could enjoy their new “younger” appearance.
Voluma is a thicker product and can last up to 2 years. Its duration is often touted, but it can also help with creating both “pillowy” lips as well as enhanced cheekbones. Voluma, since it is a hyaluronic acid product is reversible as well.
Depending on the look desired, Voluma can be helpful in creating improvement in volume in the face. While meant for cheek enhancement, Voluma has proven to be excellent in adding volume to other areas especially in the lips and the midface.
Most common side effects of any filler are bruises and bumps afterwards. Long term bumps after Voluma are rare. With any filler there is the risk of infection or allergic response which is also rare. Finally, injection around a blood vessel is rare and can affect the blood supply to other areas of the body and has been reported in the medical literature.
Voluma itself does not cause bruising but the entry point via either needle or cannula can cause bruising. Patients should abstain from blood thinners prior to injection.
Voluma can be reversed by using an enzyme which helps to dissolve the product which is a hyaluronic acid. This enzyme usually acts quickly, between 24-48 hours.
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance found in the skin. Hyaluronic acid (HA) has been used in the face for at least 12 years with a long standing track record of safety.
While Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid use of the product.
Voluma does tend to be more expensive than other fillers. However, the longevity of Voluma helps balance out its value.
Allergan awards points called Brilliant Distinctions which Dr. Shah’s office participates in.
Yes Voluma can be used in combination with other facial filler products including Juvederm and Radiesse.
Voluma can absorb differently in different patients. Patients with a high metabolic rate can notice that this filler will not last as long, however, this can vary from patient to patient.
Dr. Shah prefers the use in the nose for building bridges as it has a longer duration and higher G-prime than many other fillers. In addition, he prefers Voluma in the nose over Radiesse since this filler is reversible and integrates with tissues better.
Many patients can expect Voluma to last about a year in the nose, however there have been patients who have noticed years of duration after injection of the product. It is important to avoid glasses on top of the product as this can lead to indentation and lower duration of the product.
Voluma can help fill the pillows of the lip differently than other products as its G-prime is different than other fillers. The look of Voluma is a fuller, more pillowy look than some of the other fillers. Voluma and other fillers both have a role in lip augmentation.
Yes, it can be reversed with an enzyme called hyaluronidase which usually takes between 24 hours to 48 hours to dissolve.
The HA concentration of Voluma is 20mg/ml. It is formulated from a mixture of low and high molecular weight HA.
It was FDA approved on October 2013.
Dr. Shah’s office is located in Chicago, IL (Illinois). If you would like to schedule a consultation, you can schedule an appointment at 312-820-8856.
