Juvederm Voluma: Treatment Areas, Cost, Results, and Side Effects

Quick Facts

What Is Juvederm Voluma?

Juvederm Voluma XC, or simply Voluma, is a member of the Vycross family of dermal fillers manufactured by Allergan, a global pharmaceutical company. It received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in October 2013, making it one of the first fillers approved for the correction of age-related volume loss in the cheek area.

The main active compound in Voluma is hyaluronic acid (HA), a naturally occurring complex sugar found in the human body. It also contains lidocaine, a local anesthetic that minimizes discomfort and pain at the injection site.

All Juvederm fillers that begin with the letter V are based on Vycross technology. Vycross uses a form of HA that is concentrated and highly cross-linked, which means there are more points of attachment between the molecules. This results in a smooth, moldable gel-like substance that can retain its characteristics for long periods of time.

How Does Juvederm Voluma Work?

Like all dermal fillers, Voluma is an injectable treatment that works only at the injection site and the immediate surrounding area.

Voluma is injected at a deep level under the skin or just above the bone in the cheek. The injection site is then massaged to spread the product evenly, adding volume to the face and plumping the target area.

Recommended Juvederm Voluma Injection Sites

Voluma was originally developed and chemically engineered for use in the midface and cheek area. This is currently its only FDA-approved indication.

However, as with many dermal types of filler, there are a number of off-label uses in clinical practice that have yielded good results. The reasons these indications are not FDA-approved range from not having enough published evidence to support them, to the manufacturer not seeking approval for these indications for marketing purposes.

Before and Afters of Juvederm Voluma

Off-Label Injection Sites

A number of uses for Voluma are supported by published clinical evidence but are not approved by the FDA at this point.

For example, a clinical study published within Aesthetic Surgery Journal, evaluated Voluma nose injections and found encouraging outcomes: 96.6% of the people who received the treatment reported improvement in the appearance of their noses 14 months after the treatment, as compared to baseline.

Many physicians also report success with using Voluma in the chin area. A European study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology evaluated Voluma cheek and chin injections in patients seeking retreatment after receiving Restylane (another filler) and found that 98% of patients and physicians reported improved aesthetic outcomes. In addition, 61% of patients also reported feeling more satisfied with Voluma than Restylane.

Additional off-label injection sites for Voluma include temporal hollowing (depression in the temples) and mandibular contouring and shaping along the jawline region.

In a recent study published in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery that explored the off-label use of Voluma to correct infraorbital hollowing (the depression in the under-eye area), 71% of patients were satisfied with the results. The study concluded that Voluma’s safety profile and patient satisfaction rates make it an acceptable treatment for the correction of infraorbital hallowing.

Voluma is generally not suitable for use in the lips or nasolabial folds (the area between the nose and lips) as its high viscosity may result in a lumpy appearance in these areas.

How Effective Is Juvederm Voluma?

Prior to gaining its FDA approval, a two-year, randomized, multicenter, controlled clinical trial was conducted at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Juvederm Voluma XC.

The following results were noted:

• The majority of subjects experienced objective improvement in midface volume and facial appearance.
• Nearly 50% of the group maintained the results for 24 months.
• After six months of treatment, subjects reported looking five years younger on average.
• Over 90% and 75% of subjects were satisfied with the results at 6 months and 24 months, respectively, after their last treatment.

These findings were corroborated in two additional studies published in The Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, and Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology. The first study was shorter and found a 95.6% patient satisfaction rate after 3 weeks, while the second study, which ran for two years, reported a 91% patient satisfaction at the end of the 24-month period. Both studies concluded that Voluma is effective, has a favorable side effect profile, and is associated with high patient satisfaction rates.

Safety and Side Effects

Dermal fillers, including Voluma, are considered to be relatively safe treatments. In the two previously mentioned 2-year Voluma studies (1, 2), serious adverse events were rare and none were directly linked to the use of Voluma.

Most people experience some degree of tenderness, swelling, firmness, and bruising after the treatment. Mild to moderate pain, redness, discoloration, and itching are also common.

In the NIH study, 94% of these events resolved on their own and most lasted less than two weeks. A small number of subjects experienced infections or prolonged side effects that required treatment with antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, or hyaluronidase (a substance that dissolves hyaluronic acid). All symptoms resolved after treatment.

Side effects are seen more frequently and last longer in subjects who are over 50 years old and those who receive a relatively large volume of the product. The long-term safety (over 24 months) of repeat Voluma treatments has not been evaluated.

Recovery and Aftercare

Recovery time after receiving Juvederm Voluma injections is typically short. Most swelling, tenderness, and redness should resolve within 10–14 days. If symptoms persist longer or if you experience any significant pain or unusual symptoms, contact your provider immediately.

Following the treatment, you should avoid strenuous physical activity, direct sunlight or vigorous face washing for 24-48 hours. You may use sunblock if you will be exposed to the sun.

Inform your provider if you are taking any herbal supplements or medications— particularly blood thinners—as these may increase the risks of bleeding during any procedure.

How Much Does Juvederm Voluma Cost?

You can expect to pay between $800 and $1,000 per 1 mL syringe of Voluma on average. It may go as high as $1,500 or more per syringe in certain areas of the country. This does not take into account facility and physician fees, which vary widely.

As this is a cosmetic treatment, insurance will usually not cover the cost. However, many providers can offer financing options, making the treatment more accessible.

The number of syringes needed per treatment depends on the area being treated and varies from person to person.

• Midface: One syringe per cheek; those over 50 years old, and those with more loose or sagging skin may need two or more syringes per cheek
• Nose: One to two syringes
• Chin: Two to three syringes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Juvederm Voluma permanent?

No. The effects are temporary and can last up to two years.

How long does a Juvederm Voluma session last?

A session will take between 15 and 60 minutes, depending on the amount of syringes required and the number of areas treated.

Who is a good candidate for Juvederm Voluma?

Anyone who has mild to moderate age-related volume loss in the cheek area. People with naturally thin cheeks, noses, jawlines, temples, and chins can also benefit from the treatment.

Can men get Juvederm Voluma?

Yes. A significant amount of men get Voluma injections.

When will I see results after receiving Juvederm Voluma?

Results are seen immediately after the treatment.

Can Juvederm Voluma be reversed?

Yes. If you are unsatisfied with the results, your provider can treat you with hyaluronidase. This is an injection that will dissolve the hyaluronic acid.

Does Juvederm Voluma migrate?

There is very little risk of migration with Juvederm Voluma.

Takeaway

Juvederm Voluma is a safe and effective facial dermal filler with results lasting up to two years. Voluma is FDA-approved for use in the cheek area and is used off-label in the nose, chin, temples, and the under-eye area.

On average, you can expect to pay $1,600 to $2,000 for Voluma cheek treatment if you’re under 50 years of age. Nose and chin treatments generally cost between $800 and $1,600.

Juvederm Voluma Providers Near Me

If you’re interested in Juvederm Voluma, a consultation with a healthcare provider will help you reach a decision and will provide answers to any additional questions or concerns you may have.

Meet our medical review team for suggestions.