How Long Does It Take Radiesse to Soften?

Radiesse causes swelling and bruising for the first 1-2 weeks and then softens at about 1 month. Radiesse runs about 650 per syringe.

The Radiesse injection into the cheek area will take time to soften. The amount of Radiesse injected into each cheek and what anatomic level the Radiesse was placed affects length of time healing occurs, ultimately resulting in soft, natural cheeks on smiling. The surrounding tissues of the cheek following injections  do have some localized swelling and can result in that hard, lumpy feeling , even after 2 weeks. I would consult your provider and ask if local massage to to the cheek would help soften that area. Your final result should be very satisfactory with Radiesse enhancement of the cheeks!!!!

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

Compared with Restylane and Juvederm, Radiesse is a more viscous filler and its firmer structure lends itself to be able to support a larger mass.  Rarely a nodule may form but in general, the Radiesse feeing firmer than Restylane and Juvederm should not fee rock hard.  If there is a hematoma contributing to the bruising, the hematoma (collection of blood) may become very firm and this is possibly what you are feeling. It may soften with time, massage and warm, not hot, compresses. Ask your doctor.

Radiesse is a great filler that lasts longer than some of the other popular fillers. It is common to remain stiff/firm/hard for a few weeks. It tends to soften and settle into place after 2 weeks.  If you had significant bruising or swelling that occurred during the injection, then this firmness may last a few weeks longer.

It may take a few months, but will go away. This is the advantage of using fillers that are temporary. With a permanent filler causing a visible bump only surgery will fix it.

Radiesse is a hydroxy apatite filler that needs to be injected differently than a HA filler. It shouldn't be bolused in an area (large quantities in a small area) because it can stick together and form a firm mass. This might need to be broken up with large needles and saline with lidocaine. Massage might also be needed.

Greetings~

It is not uncommon to remain bruised, swollen and firm for a number of weeks following injections.  Don't worry. When you apply moisturizer or sunscreen massage the areas that were injected, being careful not to just rub the skin and irritate the skin but actually applying pressure to the deeper layers of the face where the injections occurred.  If ever you have any questions or concerns about a procedure, call and follow up with the office that injected you so they can get a clear look at what may be going on and are better able to give you accurate advice and continue to observe your progress.  

Good luck~

Dr. Grant Stevens

Radiesse is a firmer filler than other hyaluranic acid fillers that are "soft" due to the absorption of water around the molecule. The firmness of Radiesse is advantageous by providing structural support to lax tissues. One can often feel fillers, while not visible and this is also normal; however as the product is naturally broken down by the body it will soften.

Brusing following injectionsis normal and varies from person, and usually resolved in 1-2 weeks.

Radiesse is an excellent filler to add both volume and structure to the cheekbones. Radiesse firmness does resolve after a few weeks.  Radiesse itself completely dissolves after one year.  For now, you just need to give it some more time. It sounds like the cosmetic result of the Radiesse injections was good other than the firmness you feel.

In addition, if you had significant bruising, that in itself can give a hardening that lasts several weeks. 

Once the gel carrier dissolves after 2-3 months, the calcium hydroxylapatite crystals will promote deposition of your own collagen in the injected area.  Eventually the crystals are dissolved into calcium and phosphate ions that are taken away by the body.