I Have a Hard Ridge of Radiesse That is Nearly Protruding out of my Tearduct, What Can I do?

Question

Approximately 3 weeks ago I went to have my cheeks enhanced with radiesse. Initially the procedure seemed to go well, but within one week I had major swelling ,hardness and pain across both cheeks all the way up to my eyes. I ended up in the emergency room and the Drs. did a CAT scan. results came back showing signs of infection directly related to the product injected in my face. I was put on antibiotics for 10 days and medicine for pain. I now have two odd shaped lumps and a raised ridge.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Radiesse is an FDA-Approved filler that we use very frequently in our office to sculpt the contours of the face. Since we are a national center of excellence for filler reversal, we also encounter patients from other doctors' offices who wish to have Radiesse fillers removed for one reason or another. In our office, we employ a directed technique to visualize the filler material, if possible on ultrasound, and then use non-surgical methods to dissolve the filler or granuloma tissue using intralesional injections. There are many methods using a combination of enzymes, intralesional modulators of scar tissue, and Kenalog to help reduce volume and remaining filler. These techniques require meticulous attention to detail and can be performed at intervals of two to three weeks to achieve longterm effect.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Saeed Marefat, MD · Answer

Infections after injection of tissue fillers are rare  but they do happen occasionally. If you have an infection it must be treated aggressively. That is, with antibiotics and perhaps drainage if necessary. If some irregularity has resulted from Radiesse it will take a long time for it go away, especially around the tear trough area. It may be necessary to have your doctor squeeze some of it out with a small needle. At other times it may be possible to make these irregular lumps less visible with repeat injection of a tissue filler. I like to use something like Restylane or Juvederm for this area.

	Saeed Marefat, MD

Jacqueline Calkin, MD · Answer

You need to see someone with a great deal of experience with Radiesse.  Non ablative Fraxel absolutely helps.  Your physician can inject with lidocaine and "massage/break" up the filler .  There is downtime with both these procedures and you will need to repeat them. Infections are very rare, but if you do actually have an infection you need to stay on antibiotics for several weeks.

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

I have injected Radiesse for facial contouring/shaping as well as cheek and mandibular angle augmentation many times and have not had patients get an infection.  IMHO, you should follow the advice of the MD treating you and just let all of the Radiesse go away on it's own.  Radiesse and Perlane are thicker fillers meant to be placed within the fatty layers and as such are not best used in the thin skin, of the lower eyes, or in the lips that have no such fat layer.  Also, it's best to remember that none, of these fillers, possess any inherent magic.  The magic comes from the MD injecting the filler understanding and following the proper aesthetics of facial beauty for the creation of a naturally, more attractive face.

F. Victor Rueckl, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

I am sorry about your experience. There is unfortunately no easy fix for this, as hyaluronidase doesn't work on Radiesse and there is no product that counteracts Radiesse. However, some things may be able to do be done to make it less noticeable while it dissolves on its own. I would suggest you consult with a dermatologist or plastic surgeon who has a vast amount of knowledge in injectables and go over your options.

I Have a Hard Ridge of Radiesse That is Nearly Protruding out of my Tearduct, What Can I do?

Answers (5)

Answer: I Have a Hard Ridge of Radiesse That is Nearly Protruding out of my Tearduct, What Can I do?

Answer: I Have a Hard Ridge of Radiesse That is Nearly Protruding out of my Tearduct, What Can I do?

Answer: Consult a dermatologist or plastic surgeon

Answer: Consult a dermatologist or plastic surgeon

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Everything you need to know about Radiesse

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I Have a Hard Ridge of Radiesse That is Nearly Protruding out of my Tearduct, What Can I do?

Answers (5)

Answer: I Have a Hard Ridge of Radiesse That is Nearly Protruding out of my Tearduct, What Can I do?

Answer: I Have a Hard Ridge of Radiesse That is Nearly Protruding out of my Tearduct, What Can I do?

Answer: Consult a dermatologist or plastic surgeon

Answer: Consult a dermatologist or plastic surgeon

Browse related questions

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.