Can Radiesse Cause Lumps Inside Cheeks?

Question

Almost 4 weeks ago, I had smile lines injected with Radiesse and was very pleased with the visual results. However, I now have some very large knots on the inside of my cheeks. I feel it has something to do with the injections, since they certainly were not there prior to the injections

David Hansen, MD · Answer

Since it has been 4 weeks already, then any bleeding from the injections has resolved so it probably is not a hematoma or blood clot.  Most likely it is only the Radiesse.  If you had deep creases then the physician probably had to use a lot of material to fill in the lines.  You will get use to the feeling and don't let it bother you.  As time goes by you will forget all about the feeling the bumps.  Let's hope the visual effect lasts a year or longer .  That's what you are doing it for anyway!
The bumps can be broken up by your physician but I wouldn't do it since the nice visual effect will go down sooner if you have the lumps broken up.  Before long you will forget all about them.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Radiesse is a stimulatory filler that is an excellent option for patients who desire a longer-lasting filler alternative to hyaluronic acid dermal fillers. In our office, we use Radiesse to complement structural areas of the face and contour bony prominences. Our office also is a center of excellence for filler complication treatments and we see patients who have been treated by other doctors and have undesirable results from Radiesse or other long-lasting fillers. We have treatment options available for Radiesse filler nodules, granulomas, and soft tissue thickening. The first step would be to diagnose the nodularity and determine whether there is an option for surgical vs. non-surgical removal. Surgical excision is a possibility in some patients; whereas others with more diffuse fillers may benefit from intralesional therapy using scar modulators and enzymes and kenalog. Radiesse complications may be long-lasting and prompt action is key. Patients who have no access to an expert in the field should begin gentle massage of the areas of nodularity with Plato’s Scar Serum twice daily. RF and invasive lasers can actually do more damage by stimulating further collagen growth. 
 
Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Steven H. Williams, MD · Answer

With filler injected into your cheeks, you may feel some palpable lumps due to the product being present. As long as the lumps are not visible, then it usually shouldn't be a problem and it will dissipate over time as the product breaks down. If it is something that is causing you concern, you should follow up with your injector to be evaluated.

Paul Vitenas, Jr., MD · Answer

Radiesse can indeed cause bumpy areas under the skin unless it is placed very deep. You may be experiencing the Radiesse or if has been there a while it may be the Radiesse effect where collagen is being laid down. If it looks good on the outside then I would ignore it.

Harold J. Kaplan, MD · Answer

Hi Biggsy.  Any time you have a question or concern about your treatments, the first call should be to your injector.  It's never a bad idea to reach out for a second opinion (like reaself), but you need to be evaluated in person to determine what the problem is.

	The bumps could be the product itself or another more serious reaction called a granuloma.  There are remedies for the bumps you have described, regardless of what they end up being, so go for a checkup and put your mind at ease by getting an answer.

Mark Berkowitz, MD · Answer

Radiesse is a terrific filler for temporary diminishment of facial line and wrinkles. All fillers should look smooth once swelling from the injection decrease. Many fillers may not feel completely smooth especially during the initial healing period. Some of these "knots" may be the filler or could be caused by bleeding (hematoma) or a reaction to the filler. Return to your cosmetic surgeon who performed your injection and he/she should be able to help you diminish this knot.

Robert W. Sheffield, MD · Answer

Radiesseis one of the safest fillers that can be used for cheek enhancement. That said,there are still after effects that maybe experienced and these include swellingand bruising. At times, there are also lumps and bumps. However, swelling andbruising usually subside on their own in about a couple of weeks, the longest.Lumps and bumps could take up to 3 months to disappear since this is the amountof time needed for the carrier gel component of Radiesse to be completelyabsorbed by the body. 
In yourcase, you mentioned that you observed a lump 4 weeks after your injection. Itwould be necessary for you to go and see your doctor. This is for your doctorto evaluate the lump that you have observed. Personally speaking, I believethat this is the Radiesse taking effect. Lumps appear inside the mouth ifRadiesse is injected deeply. However, since I haven't done a thorough check up onyou in person, this is still just a personal opinion. If the issue becomes tooproblematic for you, consult your physician so he or she could determine thebest solution for you.

Katrinka L. Heher, MD · Answer

Almost are the fillers can be felt through the skin but as long as it looks smooth on the outside, the filler is doing its job.  Radiesse is made to stimulate your collagen and when that happens some volume will remain as the filler absorbs.  In a way the more you can feel the more likely you will have longer lasting results.

Kristina Tansavatdi, MD · Answer

You are right in that those lumps are likely due to the Radiesse that was injected. It is not uncommon to feel these lumps when the smile lines are injected because Radiesse is injected in the deeper layer of the skin around your mouth and so can be felt on the inside of the mouth. The lumps will decrease with time. If you are noticing any visible lumps around your smile lines I would return to see the physician who treated you.

Jeffrey W. Hall, MD · Answer

This is most likely the Radiesse itself and the collagen it is helping to form. On occasion patients are able to feel the filler from the inside of their mouth, but the visual from the outside should be smooth. I would address these concerns with your physician so that these knots can be evaluated.

Can Radiesse Cause Lumps Inside Cheeks?

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