Happy woman with glowing skin thanks to Radiesse.
Radiesse
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Last Updated On: April 9, 2024

Radiesse Filler Ingredients and Their Long-Term Effects on the Skin

Published on: Mar 20, 2024

According to an article in Scientific American, declining collagen levels heavily contribute to visible signs of aging on the skin. Research reveals a steady decrease in collagen production after our early twenties, with the skin producing approximately 1% less collagen each year. This natural decline weakens the skin’s structure, leading to the thinning and fragility associated with aging.

Fortunately, dermal fillers like Radiesse can combat these age-related changes. Radiesse is a popular injectable filler approved by the FDA to target moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds. Its unique formulation provides immediate volume and promotes natural collagen production in the skin.

In this article, we will explore the ingredients in Radiesse and delve into the potential long-term effects these ingredients may have on your skin. 

Key Takeaways

  • Radiesse filler uses a unique mix of calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres and gel. It gives quick volume to the skin and encourages it to make more collagen after the treatment. This effect helps tighten the skin and restore its youthful look over time.
  • The main components of Radiesse, especially CaHA, have been thoroughly tested and are known for their safety. They blend well with the body’s tissues, gradually breaking down while keeping up the stimulation of collagen production.
  • Minor side effects like bruising or redness might happen right after getting Radiesse injections but usually go away quickly. More severe reactions are rare, making this filler a safe choice for many looking to enhance their facial features naturally.

Overview of Radiesse Filler

Radiesse uses tiny calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres suspended in a smooth gel carrier. These microspheres are biocompatible, meaning they are compatible with human tissue. The mixture of CaHA and the gel provides immediate volume enhancement upon injection, laying the groundwork for natural-looking skin rejuvenation.

Experts carefully determine the proportions of CaHA to the gel carrier to balance immediate facial contouring with the long-term benefits of collagen stimulation. Radiesse is a biostimulator and collagen stimulator within aesthetic medicine, offering dual-action performance for immediate correction and longer-lasting results.

Mode of Action in Stimulating Collagen Production

Upon injection, Radiesse immediately improves the appearance of wrinkles by adding volume. Over time, the body absorbs the gel carrier, and the CaHA microspheres enable the production of the body’s collagen. This process is known as neocollagenesis and continues for several months. As the body absorbs the gel carrier, it leaves behind only the CaHA particles, which are ongoing stimulants for collagen renewal.

This gradual yet consistent stimulation contributes to tightening skin and restoring volume naturally over time, yielding lasting and visible improvements in skin quality without immediate or aggressive intervention.

Restoring Volume to the Skin

Most individuals curious about this treatment may ask, “What is Radiesse filler used for?” or if it’s effective in delivering skin rejuvenation. Experts use Radiesse to restore volume to areas of the skin where lost fat and bone make these regions look hollow. 

They can also use these fillers to enhance areas such as the jawline or chin and address the formation of unwanted creases or lines along the skin. Radiesse can also plump specific areas, like the cheeks or temples, for a more youthful and balanced facial appearance.  

In addition to facial rejuvenation, Radiesse is FDA-approved for correcting volume loss in the back of the hands. Radiesse’s ability to act as both a cosmetic filler and a biostimulator makes it a preferred choice for individuals looking to address moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds with enduring outcomes.

Key Ingredients of Radiesse Filler

The formulation of Radiesse fillers.

Radiesse filler combines two unique ingredients for immediate skin rejuvenation and long-lasting improvement. These components restore lost volume and stimulate natural collagen production for firmer, youthful-looking skin while playing a specific role in making the skin better and healthier. Below, we explore the key components that make Radiesse a practical choice for cosmetic enhancement.

Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA) Microspheres

  • Composition: Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres form a crucial component of Radiesse filler, making up 30% of its composition. They are a biocompatible material similar to the minerals found in bones and teeth. These CaHA particles are synthetically manufactured and meticulously sized, typically 25 to 45 microns in diameter. This size is crucial, as it allows for smooth injection and minimizes the risk of migration within the tissue.
  • Functions as a Scaffold: Once injected into the targeted area, the CaHA microspheres act as a scaffold within the dermis, the middle layer of the skin. This scaffold provides structural support, immediately filling wrinkles and folds and restoring lost volume.
  • Stimulating Collagen Production: The presence of the CaHA microspheres triggers an essential response in the body. The CaHA particles stimulate fibroblasts, the skin’s collagen-producing cells, encouraging the production of new collagen fibers. 
  • Biodegradability & Biocompatibility: Other crucial aspects of CaHA microspheres are their biodegradability and biocompatibility. The body gradually breaks down these particles over months to years. As this occurs, the newly produced collagen takes over, providing a sustainable foundation for the restored volume and improved skin structure. Their biocompatible nature ensures they can be absorbed gradually by the body over time without causing adverse reactions. 

Gel Carrier

The CaHA microspheres in Radiesse are in a water-based gel carrier. This gel typically comprises sterile water, glycerin, and sodium carboxymethylcellulose. It is a temporary filler, providing immediate volume and structure to the injected area. This initial filling effect helps to smooth out wrinkles and folds, offering visible results right after the treatment.

The gel is carboxymethylcellulose, known for its excellent biocompatibility and safety profile. Over time, the body gradually absorbs the gel. As this occurs, the long-term effects of collagen stimulation by the CaHA microspheres become more prominent.

Potential Long-Term Effects of Radiesse Filler Ingredients on the Skin

Radiesse filler boasts immediate wrinkle correction and potential long-term skin health and appearance improvements. This effect is primarily due to how its key ingredients interact with the body’s natural processes. Let’s explore the potential long-term impacts of Radiesse on the skin:

  • Stimulation of Collagen Production: The primary ingredient in Radiesse, Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA), is pivotal in stimulating collagen production. Collagen is the protein that helps maintain the skin’s structural integrity, and its production diminishes with age. Radiesse injections initiate a biological response that encourages the skin to produce new collagen, improving skin texture and firmness.
  • Tissue Regeneration: Collagen supports the skin’s structure and provides a foundation for other essential components. The skin produces new collagen, creating a stronger and more resilient matrix within the dermis. This improved dermal structure can promote better blood flow and nutrient delivery to the skin cells, further contributing to a healthier and more youthful appearance.

Importance of Collagen in Maintaining Skin Elasticity and Firmness

Woman with smooth and firm skin after Radiesse.

Collagen is often known as the “scaffolding” of the skin. It provides the structural support needed to maintain skin elasticity and firmness. As collagen levels dwindle with age, the skin loses its ability to bounce back from wrinkles and folds. Long-term collagen stimulation induced by Radiesse can help counteract this process. 

By increasing collagen production, Radiesse can improve skin elasticity and firmness, resulting in younger and more defined facial contours. As a result, patients enjoy lasting improvements in skin quality, with effects visible beyond the initial injection period. 

Such treatments contribute significantly to maintaining skin’s structural integrity, ensuring it remains firm and elastic while effectively combating signs of aging.

Contribution to Longevity and Natural-Looking Results

Unlike some temporary fillers that rely solely on adding volume, Radiesse’s ability to stimulate collagen production contributes to the longevity of its results. The newly produced collagen provides a natural foundation for the restored volume, ensuring the effects don’t fade as quickly as with temporary fillers.  

Furthermore, collagen production is an ongoing process. As long as the CaHA microspheres are present, they stimulate collagen renewal, leading to gradual and natural-looking improvements lasting over a year. So, for those struggling to choose between treatments like Radiesse or Juvederm, it’s vital to consider and compare the longevity of both treatments.

Safety and Biocompatibility of Radiesse Filler Ingredients

Experts widely use Radiesse for facial rejuvenation, and clinical studies and trials have established its safety profile. However, it’s natural to have questions about the safety and biocompatibility of its ingredients. This section delves into these issues, addressing common concerns and presenting evidence-based insights.

Common Concerns and Misconceptions

  • Temporary Side Effects: Patients often worry about the side effects of Radiesse fillers. It’s common to experience mild swelling, redness, or bruising at the injection site. These are typically temporary and should resolve within a few days.
  • Allergic Reactions: While allergic reactions to Radiesse are rare, it is crucial to inform your provider of any known allergies before treatment. Radiesse contains substances that naturally occur in the body, lessening the possibility of allergic reactions. 
  • Infection Risks: Infection at the injection site is possible, though rare. Practicing proper techniques and aftercare can minimize this risk. 
  • Longevity of Results: Some patients are concerned about how long the effects of Radiesse will last. The filler is known for its long-lasting results, often maintaining its impact for a year or more due to its collagen-stimulating properties. 
  • Reversibility and Dissolvability: Radiesse is not a reversible or dissolvable filler, which can concern some. However, healthcare professionals have used it for over 15 years. While it comes with the risk of vascular occlusion, such risks are present with any injectable filler. 
  • Formation of Nodules: There’s a misconception that Radiesse can cause nodules or lumps under the skin. While this is a potential side effect, it is infrequent and usually associated with improper injection techniques.

Evidence-Based Insights into the Safety Profile of CaHA Microspheres

The CaHA microspheres in Radiesse are biocompatible and have a long history of safe use in medical applications. They are similar to minerals in the body, so they pose a low risk of causing foreign reactions. Clinical studies have followed patients for up to 3 years post-injection, reporting no long-term or delayed-onset adverse events.

Radiesse has been available for use by dermatologists and plastic surgeons for over a decade.  This real-world experience further supports its safety profile, with a well-established track record of successful use.

Practical Tips and Recommendations for Patients and Healthcare Providers

Dermal fillers like Radiesse offer exciting possibilities for facial rejuvenation, but successful treatment requires a collaborative effort. Patients seeking these procedures should familiarize themselves by researching Radiesse and other fillers, understanding their potential benefits and risks, and consulting reliable sources. Discussing long-term effects with a healthcare provider is equally important, as individual results and longevity can vary. 

For healthcare providers, the journey to successful dermal filler therapy starts with a thorough consultation.  Assessing a patient’s medical history, aesthetic goals, and suitability for the treatment allows for personalized care.  Developing a tailored treatment plan that considers facial anatomy, desired correction level, and budget demonstrates a commitment to optimal results.

Like any other treatment, clear communication is vital. Educating patients about Radiesse, potential long-term effects, follow-up care, and the possibility of additional treatments encourages trust and empowers them to participate actively in their aesthetic journey.

Conclusion

Radiesse goes beyond simply filling wrinkles. Its unique combination of calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres and a gel carrier delivers immediate volume correction while stimulating the body’s natural collagen production for long-lasting results. This effect translates to potential improvements in skin quality, elasticity, and a more natural-looking youthful appearance. 

Extensive research and clinical studies back the safety and efficacy of Radiesse, with minimal risks when administered by qualified healthcare professionals. By understanding the science behind Radiesse, patients and providers can make informed choices and approach dermal filler therapy confidently, paving the way for a successful and satisfying aesthetic experience.

About: Trusted by over 2,000+ global clients since 2014, Maylips has become a leading supplier of cosmetic, skincare, and orthopedic products for medical and aesthetic professionals. Maylips offers a wide range of authentic brand-name products at competitive wholesale prices, sourced from around the world. Whether your practice needs dermal fillers, botulinum toxins, mesotherapy, PRP kits, or other solutions, Maylips can provide high-quality products and exceptional customer service. Maylips is more than just a supplier, it is your partner in achieving your medical and aesthetic goals.

FAQs

1. What is Radiesse filler used for?

Radiesse filler helps smooth out wrinkles and adds volume to the face, making your skin look younger and fresher.

2. Where can Radiesse be injected?

Doctors can inject Radiesse into various parts of the face, including cheeks, jawline, and around the mouth, to improve appearance and promote skin health.

3. What are the long-term effects of Radiesse injections on the skin?

Over time, Radiesse injections encourage natural collagen growth in your skin, which helps maintain a youthful appearance longer than many other fillers.

References

Why does skin wrinkle with age? What is the best way to slow or prevent this process? Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-does-skin-wrinkle-wit/

Pavicic T. Calcium hydroxylapatite filler: an overview of safety and tolerability. J Drugs Dermatol. 2013 Sep;12(9):996-1002. PMID: 24002146.