Is the Collagen Induced by Radiesse and Sculptra Permanent?

Question

Radiesse and Sculptra work by stimulating the body's collagen. Sculptra relies mostly on the body to produce collagen while radiesse provide an initial scaffolding from calium but slowly absorbs it. While the absorption process takes place, collagen is deposited around it. Both of these products will result in more collagen to be produced in the injected area. Is this newly made collagen permanent? If not, why? How does the new collagen differ than unstimulated collagen?

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

There is long term persistence of the new collagen that is formed after fillers and volumizers.  The volume is not enough to fill areas or revolumize areas without additional product / filler when it clinically wears off in a year or two, such as with Radiesse or Sculptra.  Histology of biopsies does show that there is more collagen produced in the dermis even after Restylane and Juvederm. This natural collagen response would be seen microscopically years later but again, not enough to preclude the need for further fillers in the future.

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

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD (retired) · Answer

No, the collagen induced by fillers like Sculptra and Radiesse are temporary and would not be permanent or these fillers would be classed with silicone, Artefil and other PMMA fillers in the permanent category.  I would guess that the collagen stimulation continues as long as something in the fillers remains to stimulate its formation.   (Radiesse ~ 12 and 24 months for Sculptra).

Mitchell Schwartz, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

It is important to understand the difference between "stimulatory" fillers and "wrinkle" fillers.  When treating problems due to volume loss such as cheek hollows and sagging skin beside the mouth, I will almost always use stimulatory fillers such as Radiesse and/or Sculptra. They are injected deeper, beneath the skin, and will generate more volume to create a much better lifting effect for sagging skin. Radiesse and Sculptra both work in a similar fashion They work by stimulating your skin to produce more collagen, which is why they are so effective, and give longer-lasting results too. However, the results are never permanent as this new collagen is gradually reabsorbed over many years. There is very little difference between this newly stimulated collagen and your regular collagen.

Is the Collagen Induced by Radiesse and Sculptra Permanent?

Answers (4)

Answer: Radiesse and Sculptra are Similar Treatments and are not Permanent

Answer: Radiesse and Sculptra are Similar Treatments and are not Permanent

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Everything you need to know about Radiesse

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Is the Collagen Induced by Radiesse and Sculptra Permanent?

Answers (4)

Answer: Radiesse and Sculptra are Similar Treatments and are not Permanent

Answer: Radiesse and Sculptra are Similar Treatments and are not Permanent

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Radiesse

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.