Can Radiesse Be Cut (Diluted) with Something else Before Injecting, or is It Straight from the Tube?

Question

Botox can be mixed at different ratios, and f it is the same with fillers, specifically Radiesse.

Christopher R. Hove, MD · Answer

Yes, I routinely mix Radiesse with lidocaine when injecting the cheeks and midface to achieve a non-surgical midface lift. This makes injection more comfortable. Keep in mind, since the lidocaine gets resorbed, the initial result is not the final result. So the more Radiesse is diluted, the more volume will be lost when the lidocaine goes away.

Mark Berkowitz, MD · Answer

Radiesse can be mixed with lidocaine prior to injection.  This gives the benefit:

	
		Allowing numbing to injected area for better comfort
	
		Thinning out the filler for better sculpting and placement control


	 

	Many other fillers, Restylane  and Juvederm for example, come premixed with Lidocaine.

David Hansen, MD · Answer

Lidocaine with epi is often added to Radiesse to make it more comfortable during the injections and also so it flows smoothly through a 27g canula for more control of placement and less bruising. Radiesse is used to fill in and lighten up dark circles under the eyes and to fill in nasolabial grooves and corners of the mouth. It is usually around $650/syringe and can last up to 1 yr. Sincerely,

	David Hansen,MD

Stephen Prendiville, MD · Answer

Radiesse can be mixed with a very small amount of 1% Lidocaine (0.1 mL) for local anesthetic purposes; it is not diluted in the same fashion as Botox. Radiesse is typically administered in 1.5 mL pre-filled syringes which are single use, single patient treatment vials whereas Botox can be used as a 100 unit multi-use vial.

Robert F. Gray, MD, FACS · Answer

Great question.  I have been using Radiesse for several years.  It used to be injected without mixing it with anything else.  Even when we would do dental blocks there could be some discomfort using Radiesse.  Now that we mix it with Lidocaine it has made it so much more comfortable for the patient and easier to use for the doctor.

	Good Luck

	Robert F. Gray, MD, FACS

Benjamin Barankin, MD, FRCPC · Answer

Radiesse can be mixed with typically a small amount of lidocaine (anesthetic) for a smoother injection flow and to reduce pain. I have routinely done this with great success.

Alexander Ovchinsky, MD · Answer

I commonly mix Radiesse with a small amount of Lidocaine to help the pain during the procedure.  Not aware of any other reason why this would be done.

Channing R. Barnett, MD · Answer

Radiesse is often pre-mixed with lidocaine prior to injection to help minimize discomfort. Unlike some of the hyaluronic acid fillers, Radiesse is not made with lidocaine built in.

Kimberly Lee, MD · Answer

It would be unusual to dilute fillers. Lidocaine (numbing anesthetic) is commonly mixed into Radiesse to make the injection more comfortable for patients, but is not used to dilute it down for the purpose of sharing the filler with other patients. In my practice, I don't share syringes of fillers amongst patients.

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

Yes as it turns out Radiesse is mixed with a small amount of 2% plain lidocaine to make the injections better tolerated.

Can Radiesse Be Cut (Diluted) with Something else Before Injecting, or is It Straight from the Tube?

Answers (11)