Professionals
Published by Andrea Stearns
Last Updated On: March 29, 2024

Juvederm Comparison: Smile, Hydrate, Voluma and Volite

Published on: Dec 6, 2019

Dermal fillers have long been a staple in elective cosmetic aesthetic treatments. It began with Botox, which contains the active ingredient botulinum toxin. When Botox is administered, it prevents muscles from contracting by inhibiting transmission signals from the nerves. Prevented from contracting, the skin begins to smooth out. Given the success and benefits of using Botox, it is no surprise that there are now many different dermal fillers and injectables available that are used to achieve different goals, many of which contain hyaluronic acid (HA) as the key ingredient.

Some of the most popular dermal fillers are created by the manufacturer Allergan, under the brand name Juvederm. Almost all aesthetic medical professionals buy juvederm at some point in their career. Juvederm developed a popular range of injectables that fill wrinkles and lines when the face is at rest—a small but significant difference. These dermal fillers each specialize in different regions of the face and serve different purposes. Some of those formulas include:

• Smile: Primarily used to plump lips and fill in fine lines around the mouth.
• Hydrate: Primarily used to counteract the negative effects of damage caused by smoking, sun damage, aging, and other environmental conditions.
• Voluma: Primarily used to fill in and add volume to deeper wrinkles and skin folds, like those found around the cheeks, neck, and brow.
• Volite: Primarily used as a conditioner for the skin to add moisture. It is not a dermal filler.

What are the Main Ingredients in Hydrate, Voluma, Smile, and Volite?

The key differences between Hydrate, Voluma, and Smile involve the cross-linking of the primary ingredient, hyaluronic acid. This cross-linking is what gives the gel its consistency, which decides which part of the body the formula is suitable for. The cross-linking for each product is as follows:

• Voluma: Uses 20mg HA and .03% lidocaine in a physiologic phosphate buffer.
• Volite: Uses a mixture of low- and high-molecular weight HA to improve cross-linking chains. Most mixtures use 100% HA weight to create a smoother filler so that the patient also benefits from smoother results.
• Hydrate: Formulated with 13.5% HA and 9mg of mannitol, which is an antioxidant that helps the body fight off free radicals.
• Smile: This formula contains 15mg of HA.

What are the Uses of Hydrate, Voluma, Smile and Volite?

While each of these Juvederm fillers are similarly formulated, the subtle differences between them dictate their areas of indication. Below is each product’s designated purpose:

• Volite: This formula is used primarily to improve the skin’s overall condition. Volite treats fine lines, hydration, and elasticity. It is used mostly on the neck, décolletage, hands, and face.
• Voluma: The only true dermal filler in the list, Voluma is a thicker filler that is used to fill in deep lines and folds in the skin like those found around the mouth, brow, cheeks, neck and chin. The results of this product usually last around 18 months.
• Hydrate: This product is used primarily in mesotherapy. It is designed to improve the skin’s hydration and elasticity by replacing the HA that is lost by aging. Living up to its title, Hydrate attracts moisture to the skin, and helps the skin retain it. The results of this product last for approximately 4 to 6 months.
• Smile: This product is used to plump and contour the lips and reduce fine lines around the mouth. The results generally last from 9 to 18 months.

What are the Contraindications to Using Volite, Voluma, Hydrate, and Smile?

As with many products, Juvederm’s Volite, Voluma, Hydrate and Smile formulas each have contraindications. The most common contraindications for these injectable treatments include the following:

• Those suffering from untreated epilepsy
• Those known to develop hypertrophic scarring
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• Those with inflammatory skin complaints
• Those with cardiac or rheumatic complaints
• Patients who are taking anti-coagulant medication.
• Those known to have severe allergies to any of the ingredients

What Are the Most Common Side Effects?

• Pain at injection site
• Bruising around injection site
• Rash
• Swelling at injection site
• Scarring
• Bumps at injection site
• Nausea
• Skin sensitivity

These may not be all the side effects linked to Juvederm Volite, Hydrate, Smile, and Voluma, but they are the most common. For a complete list of potential side effects, refer to the product’s package insert or contact the manufacturer.

These products each have their own benefits and their own purpose. Choosing the correct product is crucial to producing the patients’ desired results. Whether they seek better skin overall, or to simply reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, there is a Juvederm product that has been specially designed for that purpose.

*Disclaimer:  Information on Maylips.com is provided for informational purposes only. Self-medication is strictly prohibited. All aesthetic procedures should be provided by the licensed healthcare specialist after the consultation with the personal therapist. The information in this article should not be used for prescribing any medication for the beauty injections.

All brand and medication descriptions in the article are based on the personal opinion and are not endorsed by Maylips.com. The article content was not reviewed for medical validity. Use this article for information and not for a final decision on the procedure.