Is There a Way to Undo Radiesse or to Shorten It Lifespan?

Question

I went to my doctor's seeking a filler to even out and fill in my smile folds. The doctor had a two for one syringe sale of Radiesse, and talked me into filling in around the chin area. Now, I look like I have a case of mumps. Chipmunk cheeks, swollen along just above the jawline. What can be done now?

Sam Naficy, MD, FACS · Answer

There is little that can be done to undo or shorten the life span of Radiesse once it is injected. But since you didn't mention how long ago it was injected it may still be swelling that you don't like.  2 syringes of Radiesse is equivilent to less than a teaspoon of product so unless it was placed in a totally wrong spot it's hard to imagine it being too much product. It will probably look a lot better when the swelling goes down.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Radiesse is an FDA-Approved filler that we use very frequently in our office to sculpt the contours of the face. Since we are a national center of excellence for filler reversal, we also encounter patients from other doctors' offices who wish to have Radiesse fillers removed for one reason or another. In our office, we employ a directed technique to visualize the filler material, if possible on ultrasound, and then use non-surgical methods to dissolve the filler or granuloma tissue using intralesional injections. There are many methods using a combination of enzymes, intralesional modulators of scar tissue, and Kenalog to help reduce volume and remaining filler. These techniques require meticulous attention to detail and can be performed at intervals of two to three weeks to achieve longterm effect.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Unfortunately, Radiesse should be injected carefully, because there is no enzymatic degrading product.

Harold J. Kaplan, MD · Answer

Hi Lewes.  The great thing about long lasting fillers is they last a long time.  The bad thing about them is they cannot be reversed.  Hyaluronic acid based fillers like Restylane, Juvederm and Perlane can easily be reversed with hyaluronidase. Radiesse is not the same because it is made out of calcium microspheres.  For this reason, you will need to wait for the product to dissipate.  Good luck.

Kristin M. Baird, MD · Answer

Radiesse is a wonderful product if done correctly.  Unfortunately, there is not a successful treatment to dissolve this product.  If the treatment was recent, you may still be experiencing swelling which may persisit for up to 6 weeks.  For localized nodules (bumps) of Radiesse, there have been reports of lasers and injections which have been helpful to dissolve the bumps, but these treatments have not been beneficial for large volumes of Radiesse.  The Radiesse product will diminish somewhat over the next 3 months and will likely resolve within 12 months.

Is There a Way to Undo Radiesse or to Shorten It Lifespan?

Answers (10)

Answer: Can Radiesse be Reversed?

Answer: Can Radiesse be Reversed?

Answer: There is no successful treatment to dissolve Radiesse

Answer: There is no successful treatment to dissolve Radiesse

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Everything you need to know about Radiesse

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Is There a Way to Undo Radiesse or to Shorten It Lifespan?

Answers (10)

Answer: Can Radiesse be Reversed?

Answer: Can Radiesse be Reversed?

Answer: There is no successful treatment to dissolve Radiesse

Answer: There is no successful treatment to dissolve Radiesse

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Radiesse

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.