About Radiesse
Over time with exposure to sun, genetics, medical conditions, nutritional habits and smoking the skin starts to lose its youthful appearance especially in the face. The most common signs of aging include wrinkles, loss of fat, descent of tissues and thinning lips. These changes arise from thinning of the skin and the loss of the supporting tissues beneath. Rejuvenation treatments attempt to reverse a person’s aging changes while also meeting their aesthetic goals.
Radiesse® is made of calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres suspended in a methylcellulose carrier gel. Calcium hydroxylapatite is identical to the mineral portion of bone and teeth making it biocompatible with minimal risk of allergy. The methylcellulose gel is rapidly broken down by the body while the calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres act as a platform for newly synthesized collagen to produce skin that is firmer and tighter.
The calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres in Radiesse® form a scaffold that attracts fibroblasts to the area to produce collagen. Collagen formation starts in the fourth week and continues for at least 12 months after injection. The filling effect of Radiesse® injections remain visible for 12-18 months.
Radiesse® can benefit patients looking to create a healthier, more natural, and attractive appearance. When used undiluted Radiesse® is an excellent dermal filler for correcting deep volume loss in the face and can be safely used to volumize the back of the hands and buttocks. It is the second most common dermal filler after hyaluronic acid. It is a biostimulatory filler causing production of collagen and elastin making it an excellent choice for improving skin quality on the face and body. When used diluted it can improve skin quality addressing crepey skin, laxity, fine lines and wrinkles, stretch marks and acne scarring.
Radiesse® should not be injected if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a bleeding disorder or have an allergy to one of the components. You should not get Radiesse® injections if you have an active infection or if you are undergoing any kind of surgical or dental procedure (including cleaning) in the next 2 weeks. It is preferable to postpone Radiesse® treatment until after you have undergone any procedures. Some patients with active autoimmune diseases are not good candidates for Radiesse® due to their increased risk of developing complications. Patients with uncontrolled diabetes, are immunocompromised, have collagen diseases, or have had previous complications with Radiesse® are also not good candidates. Radiesse® should not be injected in areas that have implants or have been previously injected with silicone fillers.
Radiesse® is an excellent choice for correcting deep volume loss in the face. It is more rigid than hyaluronic acid dermal filler which can be beneficial when trying to provide more structure along the jawline and chin. Due to its superb collagen stimulating properties it can be used in the hands to increase volume and on other body areas to reduce stretch marks and improve skin quality (neck, decolletage, arms, abdomen, upper legs, buttocks, cellulite, acne scars). Radiesse should never be injected into the lips due to the repetitive muscle activity in that area causing clumping of microspheres and potential nodule formation.
Non cosmetic Radiesse® can be used in urology, otolaryngology, and radiography.
Hyperdilute Radiesse® is when Radiesse® is mixed with saline, lidocaine or mesotherapy agents to make a more liquid form. When used in this form it is not for volumization, but for skin tightening. It can be easily distributed over large areas improving skin quality and addressing laxity in the face, arms, neck, decolletage, abdomen, buttocks, and upper legs. It is also effective for the treatment of cellulite and stretch marks.
When Radiesse® is used for volumization the effects are immediate. There may be some initial swelling in the area which will resolve. Diluted Radiesse® is used to produce new collagen and elastin, so results begin at 4 weeks and continue to improve over 12-18 months.
After injection Radiesse® is slowly broken down by the body over 9-12 months. The collagen stimulating effects of Radiesse® can be visible for up to 18 months. It is recommended to do annual injections of Radiesse® to maintain the effects as we lose collagen over time.
There is minimal pain with injection of Radiesse®. Radiesse® comes mixed with lidocaine which makes the injection process more comfortable. Numbing cream and ice packs can also be used in areas that are more sensitive.
Transient side effects such as bruising, swelling, redness, pain, and itching are expected and will resolve in 7-10 days. Other less common effects are infection, allergy, discolorations in the skin, and nodule formation. When Radiesse® is inadvertently injected into an artery more serious side effects such as tissues necrosis and blindness can occur.
Radiesse® nodules can occur due to incorrect placement of Radiesse®, muscle or gravity induced displacement, infection, allergic reaction, or a reaction caused by the body. The chance of developing a nodule is less than 3% and they can occur as soon as 2 weeks after injection. They can be treated with massage or injection of saline to break them up, although most nodules are not visible and will resolve on their own without any treatment.
Radiesse cannot be directly reversed after injection.
Migration can occur with any filler and is often related to the location and volume injected. It is important to see a qualified injector with an excellent understanding of anatomy and filler properties to avoid migration of filler to unwanted areas.
It is recommended that you do not take any non-essential blood thinning medications (ASA, aspirin, ibuprofen), supplements (fish oil, Vitamin E) or herbal remedies (garlic, ginkgo, dong quai, ginger, turmeric) for 1 week before Radiesse® treatment. If you are required to be on any blood thinners for medical reasons you can still undergo treatment but will be at an increased risk of bruising. Alcohol should be avoided for 48 hours before Radiesse® treatment to reduce the chance of bruising.
Avoid high impact exercise and excessive heat (hot tubs, saunas) for 48 hours to minimize swelling and bruising. You may use cold compresses, take arnica, or use Vitamin K cream if you experience swelling and bruising. Avoid massaging or rubbing the area or sleeping face down for 1 week. Makeup may be used on the area after 24 hours. You should not undergo any dental or surgical procedures or vaccinations for at least 2 weeks after treatment. You should avoid facials or facial massages for 3-4 weeks. Some rare complications such as tissue necrosis may not present for up to 3 days afterwards so travel should be avoided during this time to ensure access to proper treatment. Alcohol may affect healing and exacerbate swelling and bruising so should be avoided for 48 hours after treatment.
When used undiluted Radiesse® treatments should be repeated every 12-18 months. When diluted Radiesse® is used to address skin quality and laxity it is recommended that you undergo 2-3 treatments 6-8 weeks apart depending on the severity of skin laxity and your body’s ability to produce collagen. After this initial series of diluted Radiesse® a single treatment should be done on an annual basis to maintain the effects.
Radiesse® BBL is buttock enhancement from injections into the buttock area. Surgical buttock enhancement is not suitable for all patients and can have a high complication rate as well as a significant recovery time. Radiesse® is a minimally invasive procedure with a high safety profile, requiring almost no downtime and minimal side effects. It can be used to increases volume giving projection, lift and contour as well as improve skin texture and smooth cellulite dimpling. The exact number of vials and treatment sessions will vary depending on the size of your buttocks as well as your specific treatment goals.