Can Radiesse help with malar bags/edema? (Photo)

Hello,
It is best to avoid further filler injections in this area. If you develop malar edema after injections, this is an indication that your normal lymphatic drainage pathways have been blocked, causing a backup of fluid. Adding more filler would only worsen this. The better option is to remove your current filler to rest the skin. Once the skin has healed, consider RF microneedling and/or CO2 laser to shrink the skin. I would then retreat the face with micro fat transfer, if you are an appropriate candidate, as fat cells bring blood supply and are less likely to block lymphatics.
I hope this helped.
Dr. Shah

Thank you for your question and for sharing your concerns. Radiesse is not FDA-approved for use in the upper cheek or under-eye (tear trough) area, and it is generally not recommended for malar bags or edema. In fact, using Radiesse in this region can sometimes make swelling or puffiness worse, and if any complications occur (like lumps or nodules), Radiesse cannot be dissolved.

For malar bags or persistent swelling, the best first step is often to dissolve any existing hyaluronic acid filler with hyaluronidase and then reassess. If malar bags are still present, surgical options such as lower eyelid blepharoplasty or direct excision may be more effective. If filler is still desired, a very soft, low-hydrophilicity hyaluronic acid filler (which can be dissolved if needed) is a safer choice for the under-eye area.

In summary, Radiesse should be avoided in the under-eye and malar area due to the risk of worsening edema and the inability to reverse it if problems arise. Always seek treatment from an experienced injector who is familiar with the unique anatomy and risks of this area.