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Is Radiesse Good for Lip Augmentation?

asked 4 years ago by anon
Latest answer by Joseph Serota, MD
Question viewed 14,251 times
Tags: lips

A lot of people talk about how good and are for lip augmentation, but I want something more permanent.  Is it safe/effective to get lip injections of Radiesse?

35 answers to Is Radiesse Good for Lip Augmentation?

+1

Can Radiesse be used for lip augmentation?

Sadly, no. Radiesse is meant to be injected into deeper fatty tissue layers which the lips have none. Radiesse is more likely to cause unsightly lumps and bumps when it's injected into the areas without this fatty layers including the eyelids and lips. if you're looking for a longer lasting lip augmentation, IMHO, the best are Alloderm and Silastic Lip Implants of which I personally prefer Alloderm and have used this hundreds of times over the past 15 years... more
Francis R. Palmer, III, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

drfrancispalmer.com

+9

Radiesse Should NEVER Be Used in the Lips!

You ask a very important question about the use of Radiesse in the lips for lip enhancement. While some doctors advocate the use of Radiesse in the face, this product, calcium hydroxylapatite, is a chemical that once injected turns into a white, bony-appearing substance that hardens somewhat. In fact, calcium is a major component of bone. Radiesse should not be used in the lips ever. The manufacturer of Radiesse, Bioform, strictly advises against using this product in the lips. Unfortunately... more
Arnold W. Klein, MD

Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon
+5

Radiesse for lip injections

For lips you would be better off using juvederm or restylane as radiesse is too large a molecule and may lead to lumpiness.
Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS

West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

www.drkrisreddy.com

+5

Radiesse not recommended for lip augmentation

Radiesse has an excellent safety profile and in many cases, such as the nasolabial folds, I believe that it is a superior product, per unit volume, to Juvederm and Restylane. However, the theoretic and physical properties of Radiesse as a stimulatory and facial filler prohibit its use in the lips. The most effective facial filler for the lips that is available in the United States at this time is Juvederm. It has an excellent safety profile and the results are outstanding in the finely... more
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+3

Radiesse not in lips

Radiesse is not a dermal filler recommended in the lips. It can cause hard bumps and unevenness in the lips. Radiesse is great for adding volume to the cheeks and Nasolabial folds. A hyaluronic acid dermal filler such as Juvederm & Restylane are great fillers in the lips. For a permanent filler you might want to look into fat injections.
Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+3

Restylane is best for lips

The lip is a soft organ and it should remain soft The best product for the lips is Restylane. It allows me to shape the lips as it stays where I put it.The effect usually lasts six months but in some people it can last for years. In general it lasts better in people with bigger lips to begin with.
Farhad Rafizadeh, MD

Morristown Plastic Surgeon
+3

Radiesse and lip augmentation

Thanks for the question. The maker of Radiesse, Bioform Medical Inc., strictly warns against the use of the product in the lips. There is a correlation between its use and the development of inflammatory nodules in the lips, which could lead to permanent deformation of the lips. In the United States, Radiesse is approved for the following: Correction of nasolabial folds HIV-associated facial lipodystrophy Maxillofacial augmentation Radiographic tissue marking Vocal cord insufficiency... more
Glenn Vallecillos, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+2

Radiesse Good But Not in the Lips

Radiesse is an excellent filler BUT not in the lips.  Radiesse is a filler made up of the same composition as bone. Radiesse is a bad filler for the lips for the following reasons: Lips should be supple and soft.  Radiesse is by definition, small clumps of bone.  Works well in some places but definitely not in the lips Radiesse can induce nodules in the lips Radiesse is a heavy product.  The lips require a softer product
Anil R. Shah, MD

Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Avoid Radiesse in lips

Radiesse can produce lumps and knots in lips. Avoid even "diluted" or thinned Radiesse. Really there are such good products for lip enhancement that there is no reason to take a chance with Radiesse in the lips.
Elizabeth F. Rostan, MD

Charlotte Dermatologist

www.charlotteskinandlaser.com

+2

Radiesse is a great product but should not be used for lip augmentation.

The risk of nodule formation is too great to justify injecting Radiesse in the lips. This risk is much lower with the hyaluronic acid fillers such as Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm, and Prevelle.
Michele DeVito, MD

Phoenix Plastic Surgeon
+2

Radiesse in the lips will give bad results

Radiesse is not meant for lips. Just don't go there. Radiesse is a wonderful product for deeper folds and for areas that you want to build and "mold" such as the cheeks or chin and for the nose to correct a divot or poor bone angle. Because the consistency is quite thick, it is not good for the lips which require a soft and pliable product. Lips augmentation is best left to: Juvederm Restylane Perlane Prevelle Silk CosmoDerm Autologous fat transfer "Possibly" silicone... more
Nissan Pilest, MD

Irvine Dermatologic Surgeon
+2

Is Radiesse good for lip augmentation?

Radiesse should not be used in the lips because it tends to form visible white clumps in the lips. I have had to physically remove these unsightly deposits. I much prefer to use Juvederm in the lips where it is soft and smooth. Even when patients request a permanent implant such as Perma Facial Implant, I would still use Juvederm on top of the implant to shape the lip.
Peter T. Truong, MD

Fresno Oculoplastic Surgeon

www.facialsurgerydr.com

+1

Re: Is Radiesse Good for Lip Augmentation?

I do not recommend Radiesse for the lips, and the manufacturer also advises against it. Radiesse is a thick filler know to cause lumps in the lips and other areas of the face where the skin is very thin (under eyes, etc.). While it is tempting to use Radiesse in hopes that it will last longer than other fillers, I would opt for an HA (hyaluronic acid) based filler such as Juvederm or Restylane. HA fillers typically last 6-9 months, although the manufacturer of Juvederm claims it may last up... more
Joseph Serota, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon
+1

Don't use Radiesse in the lips

There are many physicians who use facial fillers "off-label". However, I don't recommend using Radiesse in the lips. Patients may experience hard nodules in the lips or visible white deposits in the lip vermillion.
Gilbert Lee, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.changesplasticsurgery.com

+1

No.

Unfortunately, use of Radiesse in the lips may cause unsightly white bumps. It should not be used in the lips.
Christine Glavey, MD

Atlanta Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Never use Radiesse in the lips

Thank you for your good question. I think RADIESSE never must be used in the lips. Radiesse s not a filler (like Restylane or Juvederm). Radiesse (Merz Aesthetics) is compossed by Calcium Hydroxyapatite; when injected deeply (not in superficial dermis) stimulates collagen neoformation. Collagen is what gives volume, flexibility and strength to healthy, young skin. As a part of the aging process, your own natural collagen breaks down, diminishing facial volume and elasticity. This loss of... more
Enrique Etxeberria, MD

Spain Plastic Surgeon
+1

Radiesse can cause complications in the lips.

Radiesse does not have FDA-approval for use in the lips. It can be used in an off-label manner but no one really recommends it. Radiesse is fairly thick and in mobile areas like the lips can cause palpable and visible lumps that are difficult to treat. I would stay away from Radiesse in the lips if I were you. There are better options for lip augmentation such as Restylane, Juvederm, Fat injections, and Permafacial Surgisil lip implants. Consultation with a... more
Manish H. Shah, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon
+1

I don't think so

It is not recommended when there are better items on the market to suit your request. The molecules in Radiesse are too big to be placed in the lips and can produce a lumpy, unwanted result. Stick with hyaluronic products. I personally like to use Juvederm for the lips, it adds a luscious plumpness.
Yael Halaas, MD

Manhattan Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Not For Lips

Radiesse can be an excellent filler, especially in the cheeks and nasolabial folds. However, it is not intended for the lips. It hardens and voluminzes through time. Thus, it can produce bumps and nodules. The hyaluronic acids fillers are softer and give a much more natural look. Further, if you are unhappy with the results you can have them erased with hyaluronidase.
Arnold R. Oppenheim, MD

Virginia Beach Dermatologist
+1

Radiesse not best option for lips

Studies have shown that radiesse does not work well in lips. Better options for the lips are silicon, hyaluronic acid fillers such as restylane, or surgical lip implant.
George Sun, MD

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Lip Augmentation - Structural Fat Grafting

Radiesse does not belong in the lips. Juvederm can be used. Structural Fat grafting works very well & results last longer. Fat grafting is quick and actually swells less than Juvederm. I use a small needle to introduce the fat, and so there is not an incision on the face.
Melanie L. Petro, MD

Alabama Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Radiesse is HORRIBLE for Lip Augmentation

Radiesse, along with other implants, should only be used in your lips if your objective is to get permanent palpable / visible calcified lumps in them. Remember - a temporary good result is better than a temporary bad result BUT both are MUCH better than a permanent hard or impossible to fix bad result.
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Radiesse not lip friendly

Radiesse is a filler that is composed of calcium hydroxyapatite. This resembles the constituents of bone. It isindicated for use in the nasolabial fold. Due to its consistency, it should not be used in the lips. Juvederm is a much more lip friendly product.
Siamak Agha, MD, PhD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

Radiesse not the best filler for tear trough

It requires a lot of finesse and precision to inject Radiesse along tear trough areas just above the bone/skull. If your board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon is not comfortable with certain filler for certain anatomic location, do not insist. The best cosmetic outcomes with fillers will be heavily influenced by the comfort and experience of your physician injector.
William Ting, MD

Bay Area Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Radiesse can be done for the lips

Radiesse can be safely done in the lips and I have done it many times. The trick is to do little amounts at a time and come back at least twice for repeat injections. I recommend about 0.2cc in the upper and lower lips at the first injection, wait 2-4 weeks and do the same at the second injection. If needed then come back 2-4 weeks later for what will likely be the final injection needed. This technique works very well and I have done it many times without any problems. The new silicone... more
Jason B. Diamond, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Radiesse and the lips

Radiesse is not a product that should be injected into the lips. This product can cause lumps and irregularities in the lips and is very diffiuclt to impossible to remove.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Radiesse should not be used in the lips

It is not recommended to have Radiesse injected into the lips as there is a propensity of nodules to develop. Fortunately, there are many other great fillers out there such as Juvederm, Restylane, and Prevelle Silk that are appropriate and look great in the lips.
Ritu Saini, MD

New York Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Radiesse not recommended for lips

No, I would not recommend that. Radiesse is meant more for deeper folds in the facial area and cheeks. A great lip filler would be Restylane and/or Juvederm.
Bruce Katz, MD

New York Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Radiesse for lips

Although Radiesse can be used for lips, there are much better options as far as safety such as Restylane and Juvederm. Radiesse does last longer, but it is a firmer filler which isn't ideal for sensuous soft lips. Also, if there is a problem with Radiesse such as lumps or uneveness, its much much harder to fix than a hyaluronic acid (e.g. Juvederm, Restylane).
Benjamin Barankin, MD

Toronto Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Radiesse

Radiesse is not recommended for lip augmentation.  A softer and more pliable haluronic acid filler like Juvederm is generally the best alternative.  Radiesse is a long lasting filler good for nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and as a deeper filler for malar augmentation.
John Burns, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Radiese is not good for the lips

It's difficult to come up with an always or never scenario for facial cosmetic procedures, but Radiesse should never be used in the lips. The mobility of the lip muscles (orbicularis oris) causes mobility of the Radiesse (which lasts for about a year), leading to clumping and bumps. However, it is and excellent and long lasting filler in the nasolabial folds
Stephen Prendiville, MD

Fort Myers Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Radiesse is not for lips

Radiesse is not recommended for the lip injections mainly because of the thickness of the product. It will not allow achieving the expected smoothness. Patients injected with Radiesse will experience lumpiness in the lip area. It would be a great choice for the nasolabial folds. There are two fillers definitely to be used for the lip augmentation: Juvederm and Restylane. Patients also choose fat injections to the lips as another enlargement option.
Gregory Turowski, MD, PhD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Radiesse never good for lip augmentation

Back in the day, lip injection with Radiesse was normal. That has changed as nodule formation has made the company strictly indicate in the insert that injection in the lips should be avoided. Some doctors still do inject it, however they run the risk of causing more harm to patients, especially when safer alternatives are available.
Hassan Galadari, MD

Dubai Dermatologist
+1

Radiesse is not recommended for areas of high mobility

No. Radiesse is a more substantive filler that is not recommended for areas of high mobility, such as the lips, which regularly move when we speak, eat or drink.
Renato Saltz, MD

Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon
+1

Radiesse can create lumps in your lips

Radiesse is generally avoided in the lips due to the bumps and nodules that it can create. Restylane is the best in the lips. Juvederm can also be used in the lips as well. Both of these products have a limited longevity and can last from 6 months to a year. Fat injections are an option in the lips but take a lot of experience and knowledge of lip anatomy and dynamics to create the best result. Fat transfer, when done well, can last years. But you want to go to a surgeon that has experience... more
Philip Young, MD

Bellevue Facial Plastic Surgeon

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