VOLUMA is a new filler by Allergan. It is in the realm of Juvederm, but is not meant not for the superficial fine lines and wrinkles. Voluma’s purpose is to add volume to the face. When we add volume to the face, it does not mean you need to look like one of the helium overfilled weird looking women we often see in the plastic surgery “don’t” pages. When done well, you look like you are aging well. You are just restoring the volume you are losing as you age.
I recently went to a Master Class with Dr. Mauricio De Maio. He is a charming plastic surgeon, who gave a talk on Voluma, facial aging, and soft tissue loss. It was a good lecture. He has drank the same koolaid I have as far as where volume loss is happening and how to correct it well. He is anti the over plumping of the face and lips. So refreshing to hear. I actually just talked with a patient of mine who said she had a lecture against soft tissue fillers by a friend of hers who talked about how it looks so unnatural- my patient has soft tissue fillers in realized her friend had no idea she had filler. It just shows you when done well, soft tissue fillers don’t look like you are “done.” Just like you are aging well.
Voluma cannot be used all over the face. It is meant for the zygoma and cheek arch. It is immediate gratification (you see the results that day), it is reversible, and it is supposed to last for 2 years. The price per syringe is double that for Juvederm and Restylane. Not bad. My patients so far have liked it. To see if you are a candidate, come in for a consultation. I recommend consulting someone who has knowledge and use of many different ways to add volume to the face: restylane, juvederm, sculptra, fat transfer and fat graft.
If you have a lot of lower cheek aging, Sculptra or fat transfer may be a better product. Please see me to discuss.
dr greenberg at voluma allergan masterclass lecture feb 2014