Radiesse- Is It Swelling or is It Too Much?

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

    Radiesse injected to the nose probably has caused swelling that has not resolved.  There is no product to help dissolve Radiesse.  Kenneth Hughes, MD, Hughes Plastic Surgery, Los Angeles

Without a photo it is hard to assess.  Swelling is common after treatment but this is an area that you need to be very cautious about.  Too much product placed between the eyes can occlude or impede blood flow so be sure you have a well qualified person doing the treatment.  Not only for cosmetic results but for safety as well! 

After 2-3 days, I would expect that you would still have some swelling from your Radiesse treatment.  Most likely, as the swelling subsides, you will see a change in the appearance on your nose.  If you feel that it still does look right to you after the swelling goes down, I would return to your treating physician, as he or she would be able to evaluate and treat your issue best.  

Only 2-3 days out there isn't a way to accurately tell how much the change in your nasal shape is swelling and how much is product. In fact, they can feel very similar, even to a physician. I recommend waiting longer until you truly judge the result, and ice your nose in the meantime (gently, of course). 

After injection, Radiesse patients may experience redness, bruising, swelling or other local side effects. Most side effects of treatment resolve within a few days. More rare side effects may include swelling that lasts longer, unevenness or firmness in the area injected, and as with any injection, there may be a risk of infection. The best way to resolve the issue is to go back to the doctor who performed the treatment and allow him or her to examine the swelling to determine whether it is a normal side effect or more severe. Best of luck.

Photographs would be helpful. I would give it at least a week as swelling can often take a good 7 to 10 days to completely resolve. If after 1 or 2 weeks you feel that the area injected still looks big, I would then follow up with your doctor for evaluation. 

It's hard to say for sure but at 2-3 days post-injection you can reasonably assume that you have at least SOME swelling and so you final result will not be exactly what you have now.  On the other hand, with Radiesse the swelling typically subsides after a few days but then, after a couple of weeks, the collagen formation becomes more noticeable and the area starts to fill up again.  So it's possible that the swelling you have now will subside (likely, in fact) but that the fullness may reappear.

The best thing is to speak with your physician and see what his or her opinion is of the areas that have been treated.

I hope that this helps and good luck,

Dr. E

Would have loved photos!  Follow up with your Dermatologist or Plastic Surgeon in case you need a little touch up in certain areas.  Another injections may be needed. It usually takes about 10 days to 2 week for the area to settle down.