Radiesse Injections One Month Ago. I Am Very Unhappy with the Results. What Can I Do to Get Rid of the Radiesse in my Face?

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

It is concerning that you state Radiesse has given you a “stroke-like” appearance. In my experience, it would have difficulty doing that, as instead of sagging, it should actually volumize and therefore lift some redundant skin after proper injection. I would follow-up with your treating physician to be evaluated.

Unfortunately, there is no way to dissolve Radiesse so you will have to wait until the results wear off naturally. As everyone’s body metabolizes the filler differently, it could take anywhere from a few months to a year. I would also recommend seeing an expert dermatologic surgeon experienced in using fillers. He/She can sometimes use other fillers to even out the face. In some patients, a minor surgical procedure can remove the excess Radiesse.

Unfortunately there is nothing you can do to remove Radiesse, I'm very sorry but the best option for you is to wait it out till it dissolves on its own and can typically last 8-12 months. It may be that you're still swollen,  give it a few more weeks to settle before seeing your final result.

Unfortunately, there is really nothing you can do to make the Radiesse dissolve more quickly.  In most cases, I would say it would last not more than a year but it should start dissolving before that.  Normally, the face should return to how it looked prior to the treatment once it is all dissolved.  Sometimes, touch up treatments (with Radiesse or other products) can be used to help improve the appearance in patients such as you.  You might consider returning to your injector or seeking out another dermatologist, facial plastic surgeon or plastic surgeon who is experienced with filler treatments.  

To really answer your question I would need to see pictures of you and understand exactly where you were receiving injections.  From your description it appears your dissatisfaction is related to where the injections were performed not the dermal filler itself.  Radiesse when placed properly is a very effective and predictable dermal filler.  Always the potential downside to Radiesse when compared to the hyaluronic acid family of fillers is the fact that Radiesse cannot be dissolved in a situation like yours.  The best advice without seeing your pictures is to let it be resorbed by your body gradually over time. Efforts to remove it from your subcutaneous tissue may result in more problems than you have now.  I would be happy to review your pictures to give you more detailed advice.   

I wish there were a simple solution but, unfortunately, you will probably just have to wait until the Radiesse absorbs enough on its own to mitigate the effects of what you're seeing.  Some of that may still be swelling, so it's not necessarily just the Radiesse that you have to wait for.  Gentle massage may help, at least for the swelling component, but it will otherwise be a question of time.  I would think that within a few months enough of it would be absorbed so that these effects are minimized.

I wish I had a better answer for you but, at least, this should subside on its own.

I hope that this helps and good luck,

Dr. e