Radiesse for Sunken Eyes?

Radiesse is much thicker than most fillers and is white in color. It should not be injected under the eyes because the skin there is so thin that the product can leave visible lumps and bumps which are extremely hard to correct. Radiesse is more appropriate for a cheek augmentation or injection at the nasolabial folds.

Radiesse is a calcium hydroxyapatite injectable that is useful for nasolabial folds and other soft tissue defects.  I would not inject to rejuvenate sunken eyes as the tissue of the lower lids is very thin and injection can result in bumps and granulomas that are not cosmetically pleasing.

Unlike the clear (transparent) HA fillers like Juvederm and Restylane, Radiesse is white in color, and does not do well around the eyes because of the thin and almost translucent skin in this area. It can be used by an experienced injector in numerous areas, but there is too much potential for poor cosmetic result around the eyes that truly experienced injectors know to avoid Radiesse around the eyes.

One other consideration is that HA fillers that are too-aggressively placed can be reduced or "dissolved" by injection of hyaluronidase (an enzyme that breaks down the hyaluronic acid fillers). There is NO similar way to remove Radiesse if you don't like how it looks, so you're pretty much "messed up" for as long as it takes to reabsorb on its own, which can be several years around the eyes!

Just say NO!

Hi xmascarol.  Do not consider using Radiesse below the eyes.  Radiesse is a great product but there are a couple areas it should not be used - the under eye area and the lips.

We have seen several very bad cases of inexperienced injectors using Radiesse in the under eye area that result in very poor outcomes including additional bagginess and even surgical removal in one instance.

We like Restylane for the "tear trough" (undereye) area because the product is much easier to place and is reversible if there are any complications using an enzyme called hyaluronidase.  Because there is very little movement in this area, Restylane also lasts longer than other areas, typically about 9-12 months.  Good luck.

There are many different fillers that can be used. An advantage of Restylane or Juvederm for this area is that should there be an overcorrection, or a bump, it can be treated more easily than Radiesse. Although, I am not aware of any cases of blindness, this is a theoretical risk of injections for the lower eyelids. Radiesse, Restylane and Juvederm would be used as an off-label indication (not specifically approved by the FDA for this use) but is used commonly by many physicians.

Hi Xmascarolermarie,
If the "lady" making those suggestions is not a physician, I would advise speaking to a physician trained in a cosmetically oriented practice.
Radiesse is not the filler to place in the very delicate lower eyelid area. The area is unforgiving, and if there is a lump of Radiesse, it will haunt you for a very long time.
My filler of choice in the lower eye lid hollow is Restylane. Even with Restylane, make sure that you choose an experienced well trained physician, or we will be soon answering your questions about complications from your injections.
If you want to say, "Hey Lady!” make sure that it is in a Jerry Lewis movie remake, not while you are being injected around your eyes.
Good luck and be well up there in G-d's country.
Dr. P

Radiesse is a great filler and one that I utilize al lof the time. It is wonderful for facial contouring of the cheeks, nasolabial fold, and jaw line. Radiesse has little calcium deposits in it and it is preferable not to use it around the thin skin of the eyelid. Most cosmetic surgeons would place the filler deep around the lower lids but if Radiesse were placed superficially it could be problematic. As an Ocular Plastic Surgeon my favorite fillers are Restylane, Sculptra and Juvederm around the eyes. You will find that each physician has their favorites and there will be some who do chose Radiesse. Most important make sure this is a physician who commonly treats around this delicate area.
Botox and fractional resuracing ( Mixto or Fraxel) can be performed simultaneously. It is impossible without a consultation for me to tell you which would work best for your case.
I offer all Realself.com readers, a recession buster, a liquid facelift that includes 4 syringes of Radiesse, Juvederm,or Evolence for only $1598 ( valid until May 31, 2009).

In the real world, most eyelid skin are too thin to have this product injected without a lumpy result.  Physically, the very thin skin of (0.6-0.8mm) is attached to muscle.  There is very little space for this product to be placed evenly.
It is a very minute possibility that in very experienced hands and very good luck that one will have an excellent result.
However, I would bet against it.

The tear trough area requires products that absorb less water and are "thinner" Restylane L is my favorite but never Radiesse

Radiesse is easily injected to the nasolabial folds, around the mouth, in acne scars, and other soft tissue defects with minimal local anesthetic as an office procedure. Radiesse is also a very effective treatment for rejuvenationg the hands by filling areas between prominent veins, and providing soft tissue volume to skin that has been depleted by age and sun exposure. However, I would not recommend using Radiesse for sunken eyes.