Radiesse Vs Voluma: What’s The Difference?

Radiesse is a dermal filler that is sometimes referred to as semi-permanen thanks to its long-lasting results. It contains tiny microspheres of calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA), which is a substance that is found naturally within in the body, primarily in bones. Unlike other dermal fillers that are available on the market, Radiesse is able to not only provide some instant plumping effect upon injection, but the results improve gradually over time as the calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres prompt the body to begin producing more collagen. Collagen is one of the proteins that is most vital to keeping the skin firm and voluminous, but unfortunately the body begins to produce less collagen as it ages, making the skin looser and weaker, making it more vulnerable to wrinkles and lines. Radiesse is FDA-approved for correction of deep facial wrinkles and folds. 

Voluma is a dermal filler that is part of the Juvederm brand of hyaluronic acid fillers. Voluma is specially designed for high-volume facial restoration, and is much longer lasting than many of the other hyaluronic acid-based fillers currently available on the market. Juvederm Voluma’s intense volumizing ability, as well as its durability, is due to its unique Vycross Technology. Voluma’s Vycross Technology combines high and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid to create more efficiently cross-linked chains, making the filler smoother, easier to inject, and more resistant to degradation. It is Voluma’s Vycross Technology that creates such long lasting results compared to other hyaluronic acid fillers. Voluma is FDA-approved for restoring volume within the face.

Treatment areas

Radiesse

Radiesse can address a number of facial issues caused by age and/or illness. It is not only indicated for the treatment of deep facial wrinkles and folds around the nose and mouth, it is also able to restore volume lost due to facial lipoatrophy. Radiesse can help diminish the appearance of wrinkles such as:

1. Nasolabial folds. Sometimes referred to as smile lines, these are the lines that start at the corners of the nose and descend outward to the corners of the mouth.
2. Marionette lines. These are the lines that begin at the corners of the mouth and descend straight down the chin.

The volume restoring properties of Radiesse also make it a great filler for performing non-surgical augmentation in many parts of these face. These non-surgical procedures are able to help define the facial contour and correct asymmetries within the face, giving the patient a more balanced appearance to better offset their other facial features. These non-surgical procedures include:

1. Chin augmentation;
2. Cheek augmentation;
3. Rhinoplasty;
4. Jawline sculpting

Voluma is specially designed to treat volume loss in the mid-face due to the process of aging. By restoring cheek volume, Voluma is able to offer subtle lifting and improvement of the facial contours, adding more definition to the cheek area. This can help restore a more youthful appearance to patients whose mid-face area may have suffered sagging or loss of plumpness. Voluma’s formulation ensures that results are natural-looking, as the gel integrates smoothly in the mid-face area, successfully creating a smoother contour that can balance out the overall look of the face.

What are the differences between Radiesse vs Voluma?

There are a few very distinct differences between Radiesse vs Voluma. The first difference is obviously the composition of the gel. As they are made of completely different materials, they each have very different mechanism of action, which affects the way the results present themselves and the way that the implants interact with the facial anatomy. While Radiesse does provide some immediate plumping effect, peak results occur gradually over time as the body produces its own collagen. Voluma, on the other hand, provides instant effects that do not vary much after the initial injections until the effects begin to deteriorate.

The difference in the materials also affects the viscosity of the injection. Though Voluma provides more immediate results, it is actually the softer of the two, meaning it molds more easily compared to the thicker Radiesse. Another big difference between Radiesse vs Voluma is that the results of Voluma are reversible, whereas Radiesse are not. Hyaluronic acid can be dissolved using the enzyme hyaluronidase should the patient be unhappy with the results of treatment, while patients who are unhappy with their Radiesse treatment will have to wait it out.

The final major difference between Radiesse vs Voluma is in the longevity of the results. Both fillers provide long lasting results, particularly in comparison to many other dermal fillers available on the market. However, Voluma can last up to twice as long as Radiesse, with results lasting up to two years. Patients can expect treatment with Radiesse to last anywhere from nine to 18 months. Results for both fillers will vary by patient depending on the injection technique used, the severity of the correction, and the age and lifestyle of the patient. The effects of both Radiesse and Voluma can be maintained through touch up treatments.