Juvederm Fillers: Comparing Voluma, Volbella, Vollure & More
Welcome to the Juvederm® family of dermal fillers. Get to know Allergan’s filler line as we compare each Juvederm® formulation—including how long it lasts, where it is used, what proprietary technology it contains, and more.
JUVEDERM® FILLERS CHART
| Filler | Longevity | Injection Area | Unique Attributes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volbella® XC | up to 12 months | Lips, perioral lines & under eyes | Created explicitly for injection into lips & under-eye area, Volbella® is the softest & thinnest filler in the Juvederm® family, so it spreads out more than other formulations. |
| Voluma® XC | 18-24 months | Cheeks & chin | Designed to work as a firm, structural gel, Voluma® XC adds volume & lift to the midface & chin. The 2nd thickest filler in the line, it provides a natural-looking firmness that lasts. |
| Vollure® XC | 12-18 months | Facial wrinkles & folds | Vollure® XC is ideal for facial wrinkles & folds. Easily moldable but firm enough for deep injection, Vollure adds volume while allowing for natural expressions & facial movements. |
| Volux® XC | 18 months | Jaw & jawline | Volux® is thicker & more cohesive than Voluma®. It defines the jawline & reduces the appearance of loose, sagging skin below the jawline, sometimes called "jowls." |
| Ultra | 6-9 months | Lips & perioral lines | Specifically designed to add volume to lips & define lip contours, Ultra also works for medium-depth facial wrinkles like perioral lines. |
| Ultra XC | 6-9 months | Lips & perioral lines | The same filler technology as Ultra, Ultra XC has lidocaine for greater comfort; it can add volume to lips, define lip contours & fill medium-depth facial wrinkles. |
| Ultra Plus | 6-12 months | Facial wrinkles & folds, like nasolabial folds | Designed to better address deeper facial wrinkles & folds than Ultra, Ultra Plus is a thicker & more stable gel with a higher percentage of crosslinked HAs. |
| Ultra Plus XC | 6-12 months | Facial wrinkles & folds, like nasolabial folds | The same filler technology as Ultra Plus, Ultra Plus XC has lidocaine for greater comfort. As a thicker, more robust gel, it works well for deeper wrinkles & folds. |
The longevity timelines we share here are based on cynical trials and scientific studies, but your individual results may differ. Many factors impact filler longevity, including the filler used, the area where it is injected, how much filler is used, and your body’s rate of metabolism.
COMPARING THE JUVEDERM® FILLERS
Allergan has released a total of 8 Juvederm fillers in the US since 2006, including Juvederm® Ultra XC, Juvederm® Ultra Plus XC, Juvederm® Volbella® XC, Juvederm® Vollure® XC, Juvederm® Voluma® XC, and Juvederm® Volux.
In each of these formulations, the “XC” means that the HA filler is combined with lidocaine, an anesthetic that helps ease discomfort both during and immediately after the injection process.
Keep reading for a detailed breakdown of each Juvederm® filler to find out which may best suit your personal needs.
JUVEDERM® ULTRA & JUVEDERM® ULTRA XC
The first filler released by Juvéderm® in 2006, Ultra is a smooth, low-viscosity gel that works well for lip enhancement. It can also be used to contour and volumize medium-depth facial wrinkles like perioral lines—the lines around the mouth, sometimes called “smoker’s lines.” It is a versatile filler with a smooth consistency that works for precise, detailed work like the definition of lip contours, as well as diminishing the appearance of more superficial lines and wrinkles.
Clinical trials show that Juvederm® Ultra & Juvederm® Ultra XC last between 6-9 months.1
Juvederm® Ultra & Juvederm® Ultra XC can be used to:
Enhance the lips with subtle, natural-looking volume.
Add definition to lip shape, including Cupid’s bow and vermillion border.
Fill fine lines, such as perioral lines, the wrinkles around the mouth sometimes called “smoker’s lines.”
WHAT IS HYLACROSS™ TECHNOLOGY?
The early Juvéderm™ fillers (Juvederm® Ultra, Juvederm® Ultra XC, Juvederm® Ultra Plus & Juvederm® Ultra Plus XC) use a proprietary technology called Hylacross™ Technology, which cross-links hyaluronic acid molecules for a thicker, longer-lasting filler with improved lift capacity.
Think of it like this: In its natural form, a single strand of HA is like a piece of spaghetti in water—flexible and loose. But when that single thread is linked to other threads, it forms a stable and cohesive structure. By crosslinking HA strands, Juvederm® can deliver longer-lasting fillers with a durable structure that breaks down more slowly and predictably than non-cross-linked HA fillers.
JUVEDERM® ULTRA PLUS & ULTRA PLUS XC
Compared to Juvederm® Ultra, Ultra Plus is a thicker viscosity filler, so it holds its shape better than Ultra. The hyaluronic acid molecules in Ultra Plus are crosslinked at 11%—compared to Ultra at 9%—which helps them last longer than animal-derived HA fillers like Restylane.2
Because it is a thicker formulation than Ultra, Ultra Plus works better to treat deeper folds, including nasolabial folds, the wrinkles from each side of the nose down to the corners of the mouth, and wrinkles from the corners of the mouth to the bottom of the face, sometimes called “marionette lines.” Ultra Plus provides pronounced results in deep wrinkles and folds, making it less suitable for detail work and injection into lips.
Clinical trials show that Juvederm® Ultra Plus & Juvederm® Ultra Plus XC last for 1 year or more in 81% of patients treated.3
Juvederm® Ultra Plus & Ultra Plus XC can be used to:
Fill deep wrinkles and folds, like nasolabial folds and marionette lines.
Add volume and lift to the cheeks for a more youthful look.
JUVEDERM® VOLBELLA® XC
As the thinnest and softest filler in the Juvederm® family, Volbella® is ideal for injection into the lips and in the undereye area. Because it is thin, Volbella® spreads out more than the thicker formulations, creating a softer, more natural-looking volume in the delicate, thin skin of the under-eye area.
Of all the Vycross fillers, Volbella® attracts the fewest water molecules, a metric called water affinity, which also means it creates the least amount of swelling. Volbella® is less dense and less cohesive than other formulations,
Clinical trials show that Juvederm® Volbella® XC lasts up to 12 months in lips4 and under-eye area.5
Volbella® XC can be used to:
Add natural-looking volume to lips.
Define lip contours, like the Cupid’s bow and vermillion border.
Correct volume loss in undereye hollows or tear troughs.
Smooth and soften shallow lines, like perioral wrinkles.
Filler Aftercare Products
WHAT IS VYCROSS™ TECHNOLOGY?
All of the “V” fillers in the Juvederm® family (Volbella® XC, Volma® XC, Vollure® XC, and Volux™) use Vycross™ Technology. The novel technology combines hyaluronic acid molecules of different weights rather than using exclusively heavy HA molecules. Vycross™ formulations are meant to last longer while creating a very natural look, so fillers do not appear “overdone.”
The low molecular weight HA is smaller and spreads more easily, while the high molecular weight HA is larger and is better suited to creating a stable structure and maximizing longevity. These different weight HA molecules are crosslinked to make the newer formulations longer lasting, smoother, and well-balanced to achieve specific outcomes.
Imagine stringing together beads in a weblike network of thread, where both small and large beads are joined together. This cross-linking is what gives the gel its unique properties.
JUVEDERM® VOLUMA® XC
Of all fillers on the market that are FDA-approved for use in the mid-face, Volma® XC has the highest lift capacity. This is part of why it works so well to lift while adding volume and contouring to both the midface and the chin. Volma® is also suitable for filling deeper wrinkles and folds, like nasolabial folds and marionette lines.
One clinical trial showed that Voluma® XC between 18 months and 24 months when used in the mid-face.6,7
Voluma® XC can be used to:
Lift cheek structure to combat age-related volume loss.
Enhance definition and add volume to the chin.
Fill deeper wrinkles and folds, like nasolabial folds and smoker’s lines.
JUVEDERM® VOLLURE® XC
Vollure® XC is ideal for filling deeper facial wrinkles & folds, including nasolabial folds, smoker's lines & marionette lines. Like Volbella®, Vollure® spreads out and is easy to mold and manipulate—but it is also thick and shares some structural qualities with Voluma®. Its relatively high viscosity makes it ideal for deep injection into the midface to correct more severe folds.
Of the entire Juvederm® line, Vollure® and Ultra Plus are the two formulations recommended for medium to severe facial wrinkles and folds. With results lasting up to 18 months, Vollure® has greater longevity.
And because Vollure® XC uses Juvederm’s® Vycross technology, it also offers exceptionally natural-looking results. Using a smooth, crosslinked HA gel, Vollure® creates a softer filling effect that allows for organic expressions and facial movements.
A 2020 clinical study showed that Vollure® XC lasted up to 18 months for 59% of trial participants.8
Vollure® XC can be used to:
Fill moderate to severe facial wrinkles, including nasolabial folds, smoker's lines, and marionette lines.
Correct fine lines around the mouth
Increase volume in the lips. Some injectors use it off-label for lips, but Volbella® and Ultra provide the best results for lip augmentation.
JUVEDERM® VOLUX™
Volux™ is the thickest of all the fillers in the Juvederm® line, so thick it actually mimics bone. Because it has more structure than other formulations, it works best to lift, shape, and structure the lower face. Its incredible structure and durability mean that Volux™ is the only FDA-approved HA filler on the market to create pronounced jawline definition.
While both Volux and Voluma are used to enhance volume and contour the face, Volux is firmer and more cohesive because it is specially formulated for the chin and jawline.
Clinical studies have shown that Volux™ can last over 18 months when used in the lower face.9
Volux™ can be used to:
Define the jawline for a more sculpted look.
Shape the lower face to achieve greater balance.
Reduce the appearance of loose, sagging skin under the jaw.
Minimize the aappearance of a double chin.
TAKEAWAY
Juvederm® has a range of natural-looking, long-lasting dermal fillers on the market—and there is no one “best” filler. It all depends on where the filler will be used and what outcome you desire.
Each of Juvederm’s® fillers is designed for a specific use:
Ultra & Ultra XC last 6-9 months & work best in lips and perioral lines.
Ultra Plus & Ultra Plus XC last 6-12 months & work best to fill facial wrinkles & folds.
Volbella® XC lasts up to 12 months & works best in lips, perioral lines & under-eye hollows.
Voluma® XC lasts 18-24 months & works best in cheeks & chin.
Vollure® XC lasts 12-18 months & works best to fill facial wrinkles & folds.
Volux® XC lasts 18 months & works best in the jaw & jawline area.
Talk to your injector about the look you want to achieve and which specific filler will be best suited to your needs and desires.
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1. Bogdan Allemann I, Baumann L. Hyaluronic acid gel (Juvéderm) preparations in the treatment of facial wrinkles and folds. Clin Interv Aging. 2008;3(4):629-34. doi: 10.2147/cia.s3118. PMID: 19281055; PMCID: PMC2682392.
2.. Baumann LS, Shamban AT, Lupo M P, et al. Comparison of smooth-gel hyaluronic acid dermal fillers with cross-linked bovine collagen: a multicenter, double-masked, randomized, within-subject study. Dermatol Surg. 2007;33:S128–S135.
3. Bogdan Allemann I, Baumann L. Hyaluronic acid gel (Juvéderm) preparations in the treatment of facial wrinkles and folds. Clin Interv Aging. 2008;3(4):629-34. doi: 10.2147/cia.s3118. PMID: 19281055; PMCID: PMC2682392.
4.. Eccleston D, Murphy DK. Juvéderm(®) Volbella™ in the perioral area: a 12-month prospective, multicenter, open-label study. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2012;5:167-72. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S35800. Epub 2012 Oct 26. PMID: 23152693; PMCID: PMC3496328.
5. Fabi S, Zoumalan C, Fagien S, Downie J, Yoelin S, Sartor M, Chawla S. Effectiveness of Volbella (VYC-15L) for Infraorbital Hollowing: Patient-Reported Outcomes From a Prospective, Multicenter, Single-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Study. Aesthet Surg J. 2023 Oct 13;43(11):1357-1366. doi: 10.1093/asj/sjad100. PMID: 37066828; PMCID: PMC10575619.
6. Raspaldo H. Volumizing effect of a new hyaluronic acid sub-dermal facial filler: a retrospective analysis based on 102 cases. J Cosmet Laser Ther. 2008 Sep;10(3):134-42. doi: 10.1080/14764170802154607. PMID: 18788032.
7. Few J, Cox SE, Paradkar-Mitragotri D, Murphy DK. A Multicenter, Single-Blind Randomized, Controlled Study of a Volumizing Hyaluronic Acid Filler for Midface Volume Deficit: Patient-Reported Outcomes at 2 Years. Aesthet Surg J. 2015 Jul;35(5):589-99. doi: 10.1093/asj/sjv050. Epub 2015 May 11. PMID: 25964628; PMCID: PMC4482214.
8. Dayan S, Maas CS, Grimes PE, Beer K, Monheit G, Snow S, Murphy DK, Lin V. Safety and Effectiveness of VYC-17.5L for Long-Term Correction of Nasolabial Folds. Aesthet Surg J. 2020 Jun 15;40(7):767-777. doi: 10.1093/asj/sjz200. PMID: 31346621.
9. Ogilvie P, Benouaiche L, Philipp-Dormston WG, Belhaouari L, Gaymans F, Sattler G, Harvey C, Schumacher A. VYC-25L Hyaluronic Acid Injectable Gel Is Safe and Effective for Long-Term Restoration and Creation of Volume of the Lower Face. Aesthet Surg J. 2020 Aug 14;40(9):NP499-NP510. doi: 10.1093/asj/sjaa013. PMID: 31960896; PMCID: PMC7427156.
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Ella Marcantonio
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