Radiesse Injectables
With age, our skin undergoes several changes. Sun damage, environmental toxins, repeated facial expressions, and the effects of gravity all take a toll. There are also changes in the structure of the skin from within. In particular, the levels of two important skin proteins - collagen and elastin - drop as we grow older. Collagen and elastin are responsible for giving the skin its elasticity, softness, smoothness, and youthful appearance. As a result, with age, we develop facial lines and wrinkles and sagging facial tissues due to falling collagen and elastin levels. A dermal filler called Radiesse can reverse many of these visible signs of aging, helping you instantly look younger.
Please continue reading to learn more about Radiesse treatment and how it can help to reduce the appearance of severe facial wrinkles and other age-related changes.
What is Radiesse dermal filler?
Radiesse is an FDA approved injectable cosmetic filler that is used to add volume and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, folds, and creases in aging facial skin. The active ingredient in Radiesse is calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHa) in the form of gel microspheres. This is in contrast to other well-known fillers like Juvederm and Restylane that are hyaluronic acid based fillers.
The phosphate and calcium ions in calcium hydroxylapatite are naturally occurring substances in the human body. Because they occur naturally in the body, they are biocompatible. They are non-toxic and hypoallergenic and work from within at the injection site to stimulate the production of collagen.
Radiesse facial injections are administered in carefully selected areas of the face by an aesthetic medical professional. They are used to treat moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds such as nasolabial folds. The most common treatment areas are around the nose and mouth, although some people choose to have hand rejuvenation done using Radiesse.
Sometimes, Radiesse is diluted with saline and the local anesthetic lidocaine and injected superficially to stimulate collagen and elastin production and thereby tighten, firm, and lift sagging facial tissues or treat crepey skin that often occurs as a result of the aging process.
How do dermal fillers like Radiesse work?
As mentioned, Radiesse works by stimulating the body's natural production of two key proteins - collagen and elastin - below the surface of the skin. The main ingredient in the Radiesse gel mimics connective tissue that is found naturally in the skin. Besides this, the filler also instantly adds volume or bulk to the treated area. As a consequence, the results are seen immediately after Radiesse injections. Over the following 8-12 weeks, as Radiesse stimulates production of collagen, there is continued improvement in the appearance of the skin as well as enhancement in the skin's strength. Ultimately, you get natural looking results that last for up to 2 years, at which time you can get repeat treatments done. The results are not permanent because the filler material is eventually absorbed by the body's natural processes.
Targeted areas for Radiesse
The most common target area for Radiesse cosmetic procedures is the face, where the visible signs of aging such as smile lines and deep folds are most noticeable. Some people also get Radiesse injections to fill scars caused by acne. Occasionally, Radiesse is used to replace lost volume at the back of the hands. In people living with HIV, Radiesse is used to treat facial volume loss due to fat loss (lipodystrophy).
Am I a candidate for Radiesse?
Your board certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon will see in consultation to determine your candidacy. They will obtain a complete health history and examine you.
In general, Radiesse treatments are safe and effective for every skin type and skin tone. Most people are candidates for these treatments. Anyone who wants to correct lines and wrinkles or restore volume in the face, such as sunken cheeks, can consider Radiesse. As mentioned, this filler consists of calcium based microspheres in a gel carrier.
There are a few exceptions, such as people with severe allergies or multiple allergies, those with a bleeding disorder, and pregnant women. It is worth noting that Radiesse dermal filler contains a small amount of the local anesthetic lidocaine, so if you have had an allergic reaction to this substance previously, these cosmetic treatments are not right for you. People with an active skin infection or those with a history of herpes outbreaks may also be advised against Radiesse treatment.
What is the best age for Radiesse?
Most people go in for Radiesse treatments between the ages of 35 and 60. The mid-30s is when creases, folds, and wrinkles start to become prominent. Older adults might additionally choose to have the injections in the backs of their hands for plumping of the skin in this area.
Preparing for Radiesse
There is no specific preparation before Radiesse. However, you should tell your doctor about any medications you are taking, including over the counter supplements. Certain supplements and medications like blood thinners can increase the risk of bleeding with injection treatments. Your doctor may advise you to stop them temporarily around the time of your Radiesse procedure.
You should also tell your health care practitioner or board certified dermatologist about any medical conditions, specifically a history of severe allergies or hypertrophic scarring (raised or large scars). Last but not least, be sure to mention any other fillers or other cosmetic treatments you have had. This will help avoid complications and adverse events.
What happens during the Radiesse procedure?
Your aesthetic medical professional will clean your skin and mark the injection sites. They will then inject Radiesse using very fine needles.
The entire process can take anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes depending on the number of treatment areas. There is no recovery time as such, and you can leave the doctor's office right away and resume all normal activities, including driving yourself home after the Radiesse injections.
Do Radiesse injections hurt?
Radiesse dermal filler products contain a small amount of lidocaine, which is a local anesthetic, and helps to make the injection treatment more comfortable. Your doctor may also use a topical numbing cream in the treatment area before the injections. Most patients report that it is a virtually pain-free experience.
What to expect after Radiesse?
You will see some immediate improvement in wrinkles and folds after Radiesse, with continued improvement over the next week or so as the filler settles. You can resume your normal routine right away, but you will need to avoid excessive heat exposure and strenuous exercise for 24 hours. It's also a good idea to stay out of the sun as much as possible until the redness and swelling have resolved.
The microspheres in Radiesse are visible on X-ray or CT scans, so be sure to tell your doctors you've had Radiesse before you undergo these imaging studies.
How long do Radiesse injections last?
You should know that Radiesse results are long lasting but not permanent. On average, the results of Radiesse last for two years, at which time you can get a maintenance treatment.
Are there any risks or side effects?
The most common side effects after dermal fillers are injection site reactions consisting of mild tenderness, redness, bruising, swelling, itching, and temporary scabs. These usually resolve quickly, typically in 24-36 hours. Ice packs and over-the-counter medicines can help.
Less commonly, people who receive Radiesse injections can experience lumps, bumps, nodules, numbness, skin peels in the treated area, and permanent scarring. Nodules may require treatment with steroid medications or surgical removal.
Very rarely, there can be serious complications after Radiesse treatment due to unintentional injection into a blood vessel or nerve. You should contact your health care practitioner immediately if you notice adverse events such as sudden difficulty speaking, face drooping, difficulty walking, severe headache, unusual pain, vision abnormalities, or blindness.
Which is better Sculptra or Radiesse?
Another dermal filler called Sculptra is often compared to Radiesse. There are some key differences between the two.
Sculptra is an injectable filler that contains a synthetic material called poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) (it's also used to make dissolvable stitches). This dermal filler works by triggering the body's immune system to produce an inflammatory response, which results in fibroblasts collecting around the foreign substance (filler), which in turn can stimulate collagen production to lift, firm up, and thicken the skin.
As mentioned above, Radiesse contains calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres in a gel. This material is similar to natural body tissues like the teeth and bones. Radiesse is also a biostimulator of collagen formation through fibroblast activation, but the reaction is non-inflammatory. The calcium particles act as a scaffold to support the growth of new tissue.
Both Radiesse and Sculptra have similar uses, including correcting volume loss, filling sunken facial tissues, lifting sagging skin, and addressing deep nasolabial folds and creases as well as skin depressions like stretch marks and scars. Radiesse is somewhat more effective for hand rejuvenation. However, Sculptra can be placed in areas with thin skin, whereas Radiesse cannot.
Radiesse and Sculptra are both minimally invasive, in-office procedures with minimal downtime. However, Sculptra is injected more superficially than Radiesse. As a result, Radiesse injections can be slightly more uncomfortable.
Sculptra requires a little more aftercare than Radiesse - you need to massage the treated area five times a day for five minutes for five days after the injections. A key advantage of Radiesse over Sculptra is that the results appear much sooner. Radiesse results are visible almost instantly while Sculptra takes a few weeks to trigger collagen production and show results.
Lastly, Radiesse vs Sculptra do not differ much in terms of result duration. Both are long lasting fillers with results lasting for up to two years for Sculptra and one year for Radiesse.
Is Radiesse better than Juvederm?
Radiesse is often compared to other dermal fillers, especially hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvederm and Restylane. The main difference between the two is the active ingredient. Hyaluronic acid fillers contain HA which is a natural skin substance. There are several products in the Juvederm range for the lips, mouth, cheeks, and nose. You can work with your aesthetic medical professional to decide which is right for you - Juvederm vs Radiesse - depending on your unique skin concerns. Your provider may also recommend other cosmetic procedures such as chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and laser skin treatments for more complete facial rejuvenation.
The important thing is to choose a provider with extensive experience in facial dermal filler treatments. They will help you decide on the best dermal fillers for your situation.
How much does Radiesse cost?
Radiesse treatment is not covered by health insurance since it is an elective and cosmetic procedure. Each syringe of Radiesse costs around $650 to $850. The total cost of your Radiesse treatment will depend on how many areas of the face you're having treated and how much product will be injected. Your aesthetic medical professional will give you an estimate at the time of your first consultation.
8 Things To Know Before Radiesse
- Radiesse is an FDA approved injectable skin treatment that can treat many of the common signs of facial aging.
- It works by stimulating natural collagen production to fill wrinkles and replace lost volume.
- The common treatment areas for Radiesse are around the mouth and nose and areas of volume loss such as sunken cheeks.
- Radiesse is a minimally invasive and safe treatment for the most part, but there are some risks to the treatment.
- Common side effects of Radiesse injections include discomfort, swelling, redness, bruising, and itching at the injection site.
- Radiesse treatments are performed in the office. It's important to choose a qualified and trained aesthetic medical professional to get the desired results and avoid complications.
- There is no recovery time or downtime and you can go home right away and resume all normal activities.
- The treatment itself takes 15-45 minutes to perform.
How to find a provider for Radiesse treatment?
Now that you know more about how Radiesse can help to create a more youthful appearance, it's time to find a qualified provider. The MeTime app makes it easy. You can chat with experts, share photos, do video consultations, get quotes, and much more. Download the MeTime app today and see what Radiesse can do for you.