What it is: Radiesse is an injectable cosmetic filler that enhances soft tissue volume to smooth wrinkles or add fullness. Radiesse is based on a microsphere substance, calcium hydroxylapetite, a primary component of teeth and bones. Radiesse is also used to restore facial wasting in HIV patients.
Search terms: Radiance Filler, Radiesse Cosmetic Injectables, Radiesse Injection, calcium hydroxylapetite
Types of Cosmetic Fillers
Cosmetic or dermal fillers are generally classified in two main categories:
Temporary dermal fillers include two categories: collagen and hyaluronic acid fillers. Collagen is a naturally occurring connective tissue component that provides strength and structure to the skin. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance between the skin cells that binds moisture and provides fullness. Both collagen and hyaluronic acid injectable dermal fillers are created in a lab to mimic these natural substances.
Semi-permanent and permanent dermal fillers are those used to correct deeper facial creases and in larger volume restoration. These fillers generally include microsphere particles suspended into a liquid or gel formulation or compounds that do not readily absorb, injected deep within the soft tissue for more long-lasting and large volume correction.
Radiesse is a semi-permanent cosmetic filler lasting 12 months or more.
Is Radiesse Safe?
Radiesse was approved in December, 2006 by the US FDA for the treatment of mild to moderate facial creases.
When prescribed by a properly qualified and trained doctor and injected in an appropriate medical setting, U.S. FDA-approved dermal fillers are extremely safe.
Who Should Consider Radiesse?
The following conditions can be treated with cosmetic fillers such as Radiesse:
- fine lines, wrinkles
- mild to moderate facial folds
- facial wasting due to HIV
Off-label conditions Radiesse can treat:
- Adding volume and fullness to facial features and contours
Doctor Consultation: what to ask
The first step in considering Radiesse is to meet with your doctor or properly qualified and trained clinician.
- See the Radiesse consultation checklist
- See Who Can Perform Cosmetic Injectable Treatments
- Read about the experiences of others who've had Radiesse. See real Radiesse reviews.
What happens during a Radiesse injection?
- The area to be injected will be cleansed, commonly with alcohol swabs. A topical anesthetic cream, icing to the injection sites or a local anesthetic via injection (such as a dental block) may be used for your comfort.
- Once your treatment region in numbed, your doctor will make injections in several locations, placing the dermal filler where correction or volume enhancement is desired.
- You doctor may massage or manipulate the area where the filler has been placed. The treated area may be cleansed again.
- You may be given ice or cold packs to place on the treated area to minimize swelling and bruising.
- The entire treatment process may take 20 to 30 minutes or more.
Radiesse Results: what to expect
Your enhancement will be visible immediately after your injections. However, due to swelling, you may look a little fuller than you might expect. This will improve rapidly over the next few days.
- You may experience mild swelling or bruising from any type of injection. Ice or cold packs can help to minimize swelling or discomfort.
- You can generally apply makeup over the treated area immediately.
- Semi-permanent or permanent dermal fillers may result in 5 to 7 days of swelling, redness and post-injection bruising.
The improvement from Radiesse begins to diminish within 24 months after treatment.
If you do not repeat treatment once your results have begun to diminish, or as directed by your doctor, your appearance will return to its pre-treatment state.
Radiesse Side Effects
Cosmetic injection risks include:
- hematoma or blood pooling beneath the skin
- infection and necrosis or skin loss is possible (although rare)
- an unsatisfactory outcome
Radiesse may be visible or felt if injected superficially. In very rare cases may develop nodules (small bumps beneath the skin).
The greatest risk occurs when dermal fillers are injected by someone who is not properly qualified to perform injections. Semi-permanent and permanent fillers may carry a risk of clumping (the particles form a granuloma or lump that can be felt or seen beneath the skin). Particles may also migrate or displace from the injection site. Injection of an anti-inflammatory may help to improve minor clumps or swelling. More significant conditions of clumping or granuloma may require surgery.
Radiesse Cost
Radiesse injections can vary widely in cost as reflected in the Radiesse cost data posted on RealSelf.com. The cost of Radiesse may vary based on your provider's experience, the number of injection sites, as well as geographic office location.
Radiesse Terminology to know
- Calcium Hydroxylapitite: A microcrystalline form of calcium and phosphorus, similar to naturally occurring components of bone and other tissue. Comprises Radiesse dermal filler.
- Dermal filler: An injected or implanted medical device that plumps or shapes the skin.
- Granuloma: A small bump that can be seen or felt beneath the skin that can result from particle-based dermal fillers.
- Nurse Injector: A common term for a registered nurse who provides cosmetic injectables treatments. Some states restrict or do not allow the practice of nurse injectors.
- Off-label: The practice of prescribing drugs or medical treatment for a purpose similar too, but specifically not defined by a drug's U.S. FDA approved label.
- Topical anesthetic: A local anesthetic agent applied to numb the surface of an tissue, such as skin or gums.
Source: American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
Last updated: 11/2008
1 post
1 Apr 2009
I got radiesse done 1 month ago,and I GOT TWO BUMPS BELOW MY MOUTH BOTH SIDES,THEY ARE VISIBLE.I want to know if I got that for improper way to fill or sometimes can happen.