Radiesse 1 month in. Bad results, desperate for answers at any cost

Question

I am 1month post inject (cheeks) While the swelling gone, the nurses method of injection makes my face look unusual/unnatural. If I move my face in a certain direction, I can feel theproduct with my fingers it is not hard. when I grab it/move it away I can see my natural face/bone structure still below. Saw a very reputable plastic surgeon altho did not have experience reducing radiesse first hand, and did not have a confident approach. Is STS or saline/massage still an option even tho 1mo post?

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

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

Sorry you are having this problem. Precisely because Radiesse is a semi-permanent filler and has no specific enzyme to dissolve it (unlike the case of hyaluronidase for HA fillers), I stopped using it several years ago, especially when more advanced and robust HA fillers were approved whose duration of results were not much different from Radiesse, but could be dissolved fairly easily if the need arose. In general, I advise patients to wait about a month after filler injections to assess results, since by four weeks most injection-related swelling and bruising have gone done and, by that time, for the most part, what you see is what you've got. I have had success with treating Radiesse complications in individuals treated elsewhere using subcision and saline injections, and, if necessary, an algorithm of varying combinations, concentrations and amounts of anti-inflammatory agents. You would be wise to make sure to consult a board certified cosmetic dermatologist. Best of luck.

Radiesse 1 month in. Bad results, desperate for answers at any cost

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Radiesse 1 month in. Bad results, desperate for answers at any cost

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Everything you need to know about Radiesse

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