When will Radiesse dissolve naturally? It's been three years (Photo)

Question

I have had Radiesse in my cheeks and nasolabial folds. Three years later it is still not gone down a bit. When will it go away? And also I got festoons because of it. Can I fix the festoons? I am so sad :( my children tell me my face is different when I smile

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

Alan Gonzalez, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello @Paris_07, thank you for your question. Radiesse is a product that does not dissolve completely. generally use redefines contours, and reposition tissues but is not a filler as hyaluronic acid. For more information and recommendations, it is prudent to consult with one or several board certified plastic surgeons. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS.

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

Sorry you are having this problem. Although I was one of the earliest to adopt the use of Radiesse, a semi-permanent filler, for aesthetic purposes (back in the earliest days when it was first called Radiance) because it offered more durable results than temporary collagen and earlier HA fillers, I actually stopped injecting it quite a few years ago when more robust, longer-lasting HA fillers entered the market. However, I have quite a few patients come to me for treatment of Radiesse-related, persistent nodules and swellings (sometimes for several years, as is the case here). I have had success in dealing with these problems using varying combinations, combinations and concentrations of intralesional hyaluronidase combined with anti-inflammatory agents. Parenthetically, sodium thiosulfate, a calcium dissolving drug, has not been demonstrated to work for this problem and carries risks of adverse reactions. Make sure that you consult with a board certified cosmetic dermatologist. Best of luck.

When will Radiesse dissolve naturally? It's been three years (Photo)

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When will Radiesse dissolve naturally? It's been three years (Photo)

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