Radiesse: What You Need to Know

Radiesse is a dermal filler that is commonly used to plump wrinkled or folded areas of the skin in the facial area. The effects are immediate and can last up to 2 years.

Radiesse works by stimulating natural collagen that is found beneath your skin. It is most commonly used around the mouth and nose area, although it has been known to be effective when treating wrinkles in the hands as well. Patients between the ages of 35 and 60 are ideal candidates for Radiesse.

All of the ingredients used within Radiesse are non-allergenic and non-toxic.

• Radiesse is a dermal filler used for cosmetic skin treatment of the face and hands.
• It stimulates your natural collagen to help fill in wrinkles commonly caused by aging.
• Treatment takes roughly 15 minutes and is performed in-office.
• The results are immediate and there is no recovery time for Radiesse treatments.
• The cost is $650 to $800 per syringe. The dosage will vary by patient.
• Commonly used by patients who are 35 to 60 years old.
• Radiesse has some risks but is non-toxic and hypoallergenic.

How Does Radiesse Work?

Radiesse is made up of calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHA), which occurs naturally in the body and works by stimulating your naturally occurring collagen. It strongly mimics connective tissue and encourages the production of your skin’s own filler.

Over time, the calcium hydroxyapatite is absorbed by your body. In its place will be your original collagen from before treatment. On average, this process approximately 1 year, although there have been some reports of results lasting up to 2 years.

Radiesse works immediately after injection and comes in a gel-like format that can be adjusted to the specific volume needs of the patient.

Radiesse vs Juvéderm

Juvéderm is another popular dermal filler used in the facial area to achieve similar results to Radiesse. Depending on your unique situation, one may be better suited to you than the other.

Juvéderm mimics your body’s natural hyaluronic acid and has several variants specifically targeted at areas like the lips, mouth, and nose.

It is recommended that you consult with your doctor on which product is best suited to achieve your desired results.

Where Does Radiesse Work?

The most common place to receive Radiesse injections is in the mouth and nose areas, although it is effective in other parts of the face as well as in the hands.

The primary purpose of Radiesse is to improve areas where the skin is wrinkled or folded. It’s used to achieve a younger looking face by reducing the appearance of the wrinkles caused by aging.

The most typical use for Radiesse is to improve nasolabial folds, which are also called smile or laugh lines.

Expected Results of Radiesse

While some swelling will be present after the procedure is performed, it should not be severe and should go away naturally over the course of about 36 hours. You are also likely to experience some discomfort and bruising in the treated area, as well as sensitivity to sunlight for approximately 24 hours.

Following treatment, it is recommended that you do not engage in any activities that are physically demanding, including:

• Hiking and other outdoor activities.
• Exercising and heavy work.
• Physically demanding games and sports.

Following Radiesse, you can expect immediate improvement in the treated area, with the full effects typically being visible after 1 week. The effects are not permanent, however, and the treatment will need to be repeated every 1 to 2 years.

Radiesse Procedure

Radiesse is a non-invasive treatment that can be performed within your doctor's office using common local anesthesia.

• The doctor will start by determining where you need to receive each syringe and the required dosage.
• Antiseptic will be applied to each site.
• The doctor will administer the injections.

Treatment time varies, but generally, Radiesse is a short procedure. On average, it takes around 15 minutes to complete depending on how many injections are required.

There is no recovery time, so you can go home right after the treatment has been performed.

Preparing for Radiesse Treatment

Prior to using Radiesse, it is recommended that you speak with your doctor about any medications you have been using. Some medications can cause complications, like excessive bleeding and bruising. These include common medications like:

• Blood thinners.
• Warfarin.
• Aspirin.

If you are planning to use Radiesse on your hands, you should let your doctor know about any disabilities, injuries or diseases you may have that effect that area. If your skin scars poorly, or if you use treatments like skin peels, you should also make your doctor aware.

Radiesse Side Effects and Risks

If you have had a history with allergic reactions in the past, or are simply allergic to anything found within Radiesse, you shouldn’t use this dermal filler. This also applies if you are allergic to medications like lidocaine.

If you currently have a bleeding disorder, you shouldn’t use Radiesse. Additionally, if you have an active skin infection, it is recommended that you avoid Radiesse.

Possible complications include:

• Permanent scarring.
• Temporary scabbing.
• Abnormal vision and possible blindness.
• Pale or white tinged skin.
• Severe pain.

All procedures that require an injection carry a risk for infection.

Radiesse on the Face

Patients who have had Radiesse injections to treat the facial area have reported these potential side effects:

• Itching and pain in the treated area.
• Common side effects include swelling, redness, and bruising.

Radiesse on the Hands

Patients who have had Radiesse Injections to treat their hands have reported these possible side effects:

• Itching and pain in the hands.
• Swelling, redness and bruising.
• Sensation loss.
• Nodules and lumps.
• Difficulty moving their hands.

If you receive a CT scan or x-ray after having work done with Radiesse, let your doctor know. The microspheres used in this dermal filler can be found on these types of scans.

How Much Does Radiesse Cost?

Radiesse costs an average of $650 to $800 per syringe. The amount needed will vary, as the dosage required per injection and the desired results are different for each patient. You may require multiple syringes for your treatment.

Your insurance is unlikely to cover your injections, as they are a cosmetic procedure. However, your doctor may be able to offer you a treatment financing plan. Request an estimate from your doctor in order to ensure that your costs don’t exceed your budget.