Sacramento Dermatologic Surgeons

Post Radiesse Swelling and Hardness Normal 1 Day Post Op?

I had Radiesse injected 24 hrs ago. I had cheekbone area, nasolabial folds done and also around my mouth and chin to fix rough texture due to collagen loss and mild acne scarring. Overall, I am happy with the way everything looks so far. I just have two areas I am concerned about-there is a bit of uneveness at the top of the cheekbones-could be due to swelling? There is also a small, semi-solid lump in the chin area. Its a little sore and I can feel it more than see it. Is this normal?

Your post op course sounds entirely normal at this point.  Radiesse does cause a fair amount of temporay swelling.  Additionally it is often palpable around bony areas like the chin and jaw.  The swelling will reside within the next several days.  Don't make a judgement about your results for at least two weeks.  Best to you.

Jacqueline Calkin, MD

Sacramento Dermatologic Surgeon

Which Laser Hair Removal is Best Use for Light to Medium Golden Asian Skin with Black Hair?

The target area is upper lip and underarm. Light sheer diode or Gentlelase Alexandrite? Thank you

Since you have had some conflicting advice, let me add that I agree that the NdYag is safest but the Lightsheer is likely a safe choice as long as you are not tanned at all.  Alexandrite may also work well.  The most important thing is that you are evaluated by a physician who has a lot of experience in laser hair removal.

Jacqueline Calkin, MD

Sacramento Dermatologic Surgeon

I Had Major Swelling After a Sculptra Treatment. Is This Normal?

The day of my treatment it looked great. Just the fullness where it was injected. However, by the next day I looked like a chipmunk! My cheeks got huge and red and hot. The swelling went down into my jawline making me look like I have jowls. Very unattractive! My face looks weird and fat. Please tell me this is just a reaction and that it will go away and I will get the results I saw initially after treatment. I let my Dr. know and they gave me prednisone and I am sleeping with head elevated.

It does sound as if your swelling was out of the ordinary.   It will resolve.  Your physician is doing the right thing.  I would not use Sculptra again without performing a skin test in the doctors office. He or she can inject the mixed Sculptra into an inconspicuous place as well as whatever he or she uses to mix the Sculptra injected separately to determine what component you may have reacted to.  

Jacqueline Calkin, MD

Sacramento Dermatologic Surgeon