Question
Why are Radiesse injections so painful?
I am thinking about getting for my marionette lines, but after reading a , I'm not sure. She described the injections as being so painful that I am scared to try it. Why do injections hurt so much for some people, but not others? How can I avoid being one of the people who has "excruciating" pain?
Asked by: Anonymous
Answers (3)
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1
April 30, 2008
Radiesse is not painful for my patients
I routinely add lidocaine to all my Radiesse injections. This significantly decreases my patient's pain. Also, by applying Pliaglis, a new topical anesthetic, there is virtually no pain. Applying ice before also helps. The lidocaine added will give short term pain relief as well, while the patient is driving home. After it wears off, the painful time period has usually lapsed.
2
April 3, 2008
Radiesse doesn't contain anesthetic
Radiesse does not contain anesthetic (lidocaine) in it, and patients say that it continues to hurt for a few minutes after its injected. I routinely use:
- A potent topical anesthetic (numbing cream)
- A nerve block before the treatment
- Ice compresses afterwards
Fortunately, the results last for several years and my patients are thrilled.
3
February 14, 2008
Insist on a nerve block
Dermal filler procedures, including Restylane, Juvederm, and Radiesse, do not have to be painful. One suggestion for dermal filler procedures that I can give is this – make sure you have “nerve block” anesthesia performed at the start of your treatment. Nerve blocks deaden the area and prevent the pain associated with this procedure.
Many less-skilled physicians cannot or do not use nerve blocks.
Local anesthetic injections and topical numbing cream are sometimes helpful, but nerve blocks should be performed or the treatment will be unnecessarily painful. So, do your research and insist on a nerve block which will make the treatment most comfortable.
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11/18/08
My doctor applied a topical cream, let it sit for 45 minutes, and then mixed lidocaine in with the Radiesse. I did not find it particularly painful. There were a couple of twinges when the needle was close to my nose, but the rest was fine.
In my opinion, Botox injections were more painful (given with topical only).
In both cases, it is not the needle but the product going in that causes the pain/discomfort. But I have heard that the needles used for Radiesse are larger, to accomodate the larger particle size of the product. My dr. changed needles frequently to ensure she always had a sharp point--it is the blunted/dull points that are more painful.
I was relaxed, had a blanket over me, soft music playing, and a dr. with a great personality--so I am happy as a clam with my treatment.