Does Radiesse work for nasolabial folds?

Radiesse works very well for nasolabial folds and marionette lines. Radiesse is made out of calcium hydroxyl apatite (CaHA) and a gel carrier. The calcium hydroxyl apatite (CaHA) is about 30% of the product; the rest is the gel carrier. The syringe contains about 1.3 cc of material, which is more than Restylane (1.0cc) or Juvederm (0.8cc). 

After the Radiesse is injected, your body will start to make its own collagen around the microscopic beads of the calcium hydroxyl apatite (CaHA). This collagen can last much longer than the Radiesse, which is why some doctors refer to this filler as a semi-permanent filler.

The first treatment usually maintains the correction for about 3-6 months. At that point, most of the gel carrier is gone, but the calcium hydroxyl apatite (CaHA) is still there mixed with your own collagen.

At this point, a second treatment is usually recommended. Now you will have twice as much calcium hydroxyl apatite (CaHA) [the 1st treatment calcium hydroxyl apatite (CaHA) is still in the tissue]. Since you have twice as much calcium hydroxyl apatite (CaHA), you may produce twice as much of your own collagen. This second treatment usually lasts about 12-18 months.

The only disadvantage of the Radiesse is that we do not have a chemical to dissolve lumps. By going to an experienced injector, lumps should rarely be a problem.

When you click on the link below, take a look at the patient in the lower right hand corner with very deep nasolabial folds and marionette lines. She has had Radiesse injected into both areas. The after picture was taken immediately after the injection.

Michael Sinclair, MD

Web reference: http://www.epilution.com/photos.html?category=dermal-fillers

Radiesse works great for nasolabial folds. I also use Radiesse to create a cheek implant, which then in turn reduces the nasolabial folds, which gives a double effect of giving better looking cheeks and reducing the nasolabial folds.

As a filler it lasts a decent amount of time and is better than the hylauronic acids.

I think that Radiesse is great for the nasolabial folds. It will give a long term correction of about 12-18 months. A couple things that are particular to Radiesse is that it:

• Swells more than the other fillers, but this goes away after a couple days
• Causes slightly more bruising because you have to use a large needle to inject it

I do add lidocaine to the syringe, so it is a fairly comfortable injection. I love Radiesse for the marionette lines. It seems to have more structural support than any other filler and is great to turn a downward corner of the mouth, upward. One syringe of Radiesse is 1.3cc's.

Also, Radiesse corrects about 30% better than Restylane. So, you get about 50-60% more correction per syringe of Radiesse over Restylane. You also get more longevity. So overall, it is the most economical filler.

Radiesse is made of microscopic calcium particles and a gel. The gel will dissolve and leave the particles which cause collagen stimulation. The new collagen is what leads to it's longevity. I sometimes will layer a thinner filler like Juvederm or Restylane on top of the Radiesse. I think of Radiesse as a foundation, and the other 2 as finishers.