Scar Tissue from Radiesse? Is this still the product, or is it scar tissue from trauma of the cannula? I was swollen from this.

Question

I had Radiesse injected into my smile/laugh lines a year ago, as it was done via cannula. I have always felt a hard line where the product was placed on both sides of my mouth. It is still there one year later. Question 1: Is this still the product, or is it scar tissue from trauma of the cannula? I was swollen from this procedure for what felt like eternity. Question 2: If it is in fact scar tissue, will that make it harder to inject filler in those areas in the future? Thank you for your time.

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

Cynthia Stolovitz, MD · Answer

Hi, 
The hardness that you are feeling could be the  product or could be an inflammatory response to the product. It is unlikeley scar tissue. A cannula is typically a less traumatic way of injecting in order to cause less bruising and has a lower risk of potential complications.

Emil Shakov, MD · Answer

Typically cannulas are blunt and should be minimally traumatic on the tissues for injections. Radiesse is a great filler for bulk volume and the swelling was likely related to the volume you felt. In order to understand if you have a scar it should be looked at by a qualified physician.

Scar Tissue from Radiesse? Is this still the product, or is it scar tissue from trauma of the cannula? I was swollen from this.

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Scar Tissue from Radiesse? Is this still the product, or is it scar tissue from trauma of the cannula? I was swollen from this.

Answers (3)

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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.