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Radiesse

Radiesse can be used to restore volume, contour, smooth away wrinkles, and tighten loose skin on the face, neck, and body!

Radiesse can be used to restore volume, contour, smooth away wrinkles, and tighten loose skin on the face, neck, and body!

Radiesse is a different kind of filler, made of calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA), instead of hyaluronic acid (the hydrating substance most fillers are made of). When injected beneath the skin, CaHA stimulates the growth of new collagen.

Radiesse has been used for more than a decade to improve wrinkles and add volume to areas of the face and hands that have lost some soft tissue as part of the normal aging process. New studies have shown that Radiesse is also a top choice for skin tightening.¹

Radiesse works by stimulating the body to produce collagen, a building block of youthful skin.  Safe and effective, it lasts longer than the hyaluronic acid fillers on the market today, like Juvederm and Restylane. Radiesse is FDA-approved for cosmetic use and is well known for immediate satisfaction and long-term results of at least 1 year.²

One study showed you needed about 30% less Radiesse to create the same result as with a hyaluronic acid filler.3 That combined with a result duration of up to 2 years makes Radiesse one of the most cost-effective fillers on the market.

Radiesse Quick Facts

  • Tighten and firm very thin, crepey skin
  • Smooth away fine lines and deeper wrinkles
  • Mimic lost bone and soft tissue, which we lose as part of the normal aging process, to create naturally youthful-appearing volume
  • Restore natural plumpness (and camouflage veins and tendons) in the hands

Radiesse – A Filler With Many Uses

Radiesse is a different kind of dermal filler, made of calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA). Unlike most dermal fillers, which are typically made of hyaluronic acid, Radiesse doesn’t just get injected for a “what you see is what you get result.” Instead, it stimulates.

Radiesse uses calcium-based microspheres that are suspended in a natural gel to generate a biostimulatory response that causes the body to build more collagen and elastin. This makes it a great filler for reducing wrinkles and fine lines, tightening skin on the face, neck, and body, and improving skin texture and firmness.

Radiesse for Face, Hands, & Body

Radiesse is primarily used in 4 different types of treatments:

  • As a facelift alternative to add back volume that has been lost, smooth out wrinkles, and improve skin elasticity
  • To tighten and firm skin anywhere on the body, from head to toes, including improving the appearance of “orange peel” cellulite
  • Improving the appearance of stretch marks
  • Rejuvenate hands that have become bony and veiny with age

Radiesse Facelift Alternative

Radiesse makes a great option for a “liquid facelift,” a term that describes an injectable procedure that rejuvenates the entire face and usually mixes together a few different types of filler with a wrinkle relaxer, like Botox or Dysport, to treat volume loss and loose skin, and prevent future wrinkles. Since Radiesse can treat both fine lines and wrinkles in addition to tightening and firming skin, it makes an excellent choice for this kind of treatment.

Radiesse “Tweaking” for Nose & Chin

Radiesse is a great filler choice for creating nonsurgical chin augmentation and nonsurgical nose jobs. It can also sometimes be used for jawline contouring. All of these areas are parts of the face where bone mass plays a big role in the overall contours, so Radiesse, which contains the same calcium that bones and teeth do, creates a very natural result for these areas.

In these treatments, we’re really not usually trying to turn back the aging process so much as tweaking your natural features. We do this in a way that creates a better balance in your face and highlights your own natural beauty.

Radiesse Injectable Skin Tightening

Radiesse is the only injectable dermal filler that offers skin tightening. By stimulating the body to build new collagen, Radiesse can both firm and tighten loose skin. It works best for those with mild laxity and/or crepey skin texture. Those with areas of many, fine lines will find Radiesse to be a good treatment option. We do offer a wide variety of skin tightening treatments, which can be alternatives to Radiesse or used in combination with Radiesse.

Radiesse Cellulite Injections

There are 2 types of cellulite:

  1. Individualized deep dimples where the skin is tethered down to the fascia below
  2. Wavy “orange peel” appearance to skin which gets worse over time as skin becomes looser and thinner

Radiesse does a good job of treating the second kind because it strengthens and tightens the collagen support layer below the skin. The first kind is better treated by releasing the fibrous connections between skin and fascia, which can be done at the same time as Radiesse is injected for those needing a more comprehensive cellulite treatment.

Radiesse Injections for Stretch Marks

Stretch marks occur when the skin has been stretched too far too quickly and the underlying collagen support structure has torn apart. This is why skin in a stretch mark is thin and wavy – it lacks deep support – and this is nearly impossible to fix. Because of the way that Radiesse sits where it’s injected, creating a scaffold for and stimulating the growth of new collagen, it is uniquely suited to improve skin texture and stretch marks.

Radiesse Hand Rejuvenation

Radiesse was the very first dermal filler to receive FDA approval for use in hand rejuvenation, and it’s what we’ve used exclusively for a very long time. Now that there are more options, we tend to use Radiesse for certain patients and other dermal fillers for others. Since we stock all of the best dermal fillers and our physicians have received specialized training in hand injection techniques, you can be sure we’ll help you pick the best option to reach your goals with a natural-looking result.

How is a Radiesse Treatment Performed?

Radiesse – Stimulate Your Body to Grow New Collagen

Radiesse is generally injected in lines that are often fanned and cross-hatched through the deeper layers of the skin. Sometimes, the area is massaged directly after injection. All of this serves to ensure an even distribution of the product throughout the layer of the skin into which the product is injected.

Different dilutions of Radiesse can be used to achieve different effects. A dilution of 1:1 or 1:3 is generally used when seeking to add volume or address areas where a lack of volume has led to very deep-set lines and folds. When used for skin tightening, the dilution of Radiesse can vary from 1:2, 1:4, and 1:6 depending upon how thinly the product needs to be spread to achieve the desired effect. More dilute Radiesse solutions are used in areas with looser and/or thinner skin, where a slow and gradual treatment plan is recommended to create even tightening and optimal texture changes.

Whatever the dilution, we do charge by the vial of Radiesse (as it comes, undiluted), so that the product is all you pay for, and our doctors are then able to make the best use of that product for your goals. Generally, some of the dilutions are lidocaine, which is a powerful numbing agent, and this makes the procedure very comfortable. Just like when you leave the dentist’s office after having a cavity filled, the numbness can last for a few hours. However, since we use much less of the numbing medicine and we don’t directly inject the numbing into your nerves as dentists do, it isn’t quite as intense or long-lasting of an effect.

Radiesse is the only injectable treatment that can provide skin tightening and because this is a no-downtime procedure, it’s quickly becoming a favorite amongst our patients with busy schedules who want a natural-looking result. Radiesse can be used to tighten and firm skin on the:

  • Neck
  • Decolletage / Chest
  • Upper Arms and Elbows
  • Abdomen
  • Buttocks
  • Thighs
  • Knees
  • Recovery & Downtime: Little to none
  • Numbing: Available on request
  • Cost: Starts at $750
  • Candidacy: Those who wish to reduce wrinkles and lines and tighten the skin
  • Duration: 1 year
  • Why We Love It: Reduces signs of aging on the face and hands for a more youthful appearance

View More Radiesse Injection Before & Afters

More Before & Afters

Patient Stories About Radiesse

View All Patient Stories

“I am DELIGHTED with the results. I am 52 years old, and my laugh lines, and small wrinkles around my mouth have virtually disappeared, and overall I have a much more youthful appearance. ”

View My Story

Why Choose Reflections Center for Radiesse Injections

At Reflections Center, our injectors are also doctors so they have a unique understanding of human anatomy and how dermal fillers or injectables will work with your body. We have received several honors for our injectable experience and results and also train other injectors around the nation on safe injecting methods.

Our team uses a unique blend of skills and experiences to create a customized treatment plan that will meet your goals. We take the time to discuss your individual aesthetic goals and takes into account your unique anatomy to create a personalized treatment plan to help you achieve optimal results. No two patients are the same, which is why we take the time to treat each individual person instead of applying a “one size fits all” approach.

Schedule Your Consultation Today

To learn more about Radiesse at Reflections Center, contact us today. Our team of experts and award winning cosmetic & laser physicians are here to assist you with your aesthetic goals. We will be happy to schedule your consultation and answer any questions you may have.

Frequently Asked Questions On Radiesse Injections

  • How is a Radiesse treatment performed?

    Radiesse is a biostimulatory injectable comprised of calcium hydroxylapatite in a gel base. It is a filler most commonly used for the following areas: cheeks, NLF (nasolabial folds) peri-oral area, jawline, and hands. We also use it in a hyper-dilute manner to improve the texture and firmness of the skin on the face as well as the chest, knees, arms, and buttocks. The beauty of Radiesse is that it stimulates your body to naturally produce your own collagen.

  • How many treatments will I need with Radiesse?

    Each person reacts differently to Radiesse and each individual will need different things to reach their cosmetic goals, which is why it’s difficult to answer if you’ll need more than one treatment. However, in general, patients seeking volume restoration (liquid facelift, hand rejuvenation, etc.) need only 1 treatment to see great results from Radiesse. Typically, those results last about 1 to 2 years.

    For skin tightening, we do see that patients with mild skin laxity can get great results from a single treatment, whereas those patients with more severe skin looseness and textural issues may need more. Again, these results last from 1 to 2 years. Typically we see all patients back for a 3-month check-in after Radiesse injections to make sure we’ve reached your goal, or are very close (since you can have more results develop between months 3 and 6).

  • How long does it take to see results from Radiesse?

    Results from Radiesse injections for volumetric changes are visible right away, but the final result takes months to develop. That’s because Radiesse is an injectable that offers some volume replacement in the short-term, but over the long-term Radiesse stimulates the body to build new collagen. This process can take 3-6 months and this improves the result you see over time. For skin tightening and skin improvement using hyperdilute Radiesse, the result is not visible until that collagen has started to build up, around months 3 to 6.

  • How long will my results last?

    Results from Radiesse have been shown to last at least 1 year from the final injections.

  • What's the difference between Radiesse and Radiesse Plus?

    A lot of patients have asked us to compare Radiesse vs. Radiesse Plus. The truth is, they’re the exact same product, but Radiesse comes pre-mixed with a numbing agent called lidocaine. When we use Radiesse, we mix in lidocaine, making the treatments exactly the same for our patients. The only person who would really need to know which one of these 2 was used is someone who has an allergy to lidocaine. If that is something you’ve experienced, please do let us know, as lidocaine is the most common numbing injection we use in our practice. We do have other options available to make your procedures comfortable and safe.

  • How much does Radiesse cost?

    We can only speak to what we charge for Radiesse, and this does vary quite a bit by practice. We are neither the cheapest, nor the most expensive, and we make sure our pricing allows our physicians to spend quality time with our patients, working in their best interest to create the very best possible results. Radiesse starts at $750 at our practice. The total cost of your Radiesse procedure may be more, depending upon how much Radiesse you’ll need to accomplish your cosmetic goals.

  • Who is a candidate for Radiesse treatment (and who shouldn't have Radiesse)?

    Most people are good candidates for Radiesse injections, but there are a few people who should avoid Radiesse as a treatment option. You should avoid Radiesse if you have severe allergic reactions that have included throat swelling (anaphylaxis) or have multiple severe allergies and there is a concern that you might have a reaction to one or more of the ingredients in Radiesse. You may also not be a candidate if you have a bleeding disorder or an active skin infection near the area you want to be treated (we will just need to clear up the infection prior to injection)

  • Are there any side effects from Radiesse?

    Radiesse is a safe and effective treatment that creates natural results in the hands of a skilled physician injector. Unfortunately, we live in a world with lots of inexperienced and underqualified injectors. Most of the serious side effects of Radiesse can be attributed to a lack of knowledge and skill on the injectors’ part. There have been published incidences of nodules (lumps) forming when Radiesse is injected into the lips and when Radiesse is not diluted enough for superficial injections. For this reason, we do not inject the lips with Radiesse.

    For our patients, side effects are what you would expect for any injection: redness at the injection site (goes away within an hour), swelling (typically gone within 24-48 hours), bruising (very rare with Radiesse, but we can laser bruising away if this happens to you)

  • Will injection with Radiesse hurt?

    We use lidocaine in our injections of Radiesse. Radiesse Plus comes with some lidocaine already mixed in, but when we use Radiesse we always mix lidocaine in with it (so long as the patient is not allergic to lidocaine). Lidocaine is a numbing agent that works very similarly to the novocaine that dentists inject right before filling a cavity. Since we do not typically inject into the nerve bundles as dentists do, the effect is much less widespread and doesn’t last as long, but the numbing effect makes Radiesse injections an easy procedure.

  • Will I have downtime after Radiesse? How soon can I go back to work?

    There’s no real downtime with Radiesse. You should expect, as with any injection, to have some redness and swelling. You’ll likely be numb for an hour or so after the injection. Redness usually dissipates within an hour, too. Swelling can take 24-48 hours to go down but is generally not noticeable to others.

  • Can I exercise after Radiesse injections?

    It is recommended to wait 24 hours prior to working out or doing any strenuous activity following Radiesse injections. Any increased blood flow may increase swelling and bruising.

  • Can you take ibuprofen after Radiesse?

    It is not advised to take Ibuprofen or any other NSAIDs for a 24-hour period after Radiesse injections. You may however take Tylenol.

  • Does Radiesse dissolve completely?

    No, unlike hyaluronic acid fillers, Radiesse is not reversible. Radiesse is a dermal filler comprised of a biostimulatory agent in a gel base. The gel base gives an immediate improvement and then breaks down over a period of weeks. The biostimulatory agent stimulates your body to produce collagen and this breaks down over a period of 12-15 months.

  • Should you massage Radiesse?

    Radiesse should not be massaged for the first 24 hours as this might increase swelling and bruising.

Blog Topics on Radiesse Injections

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Sources:

  1. Goldie, Kate, MBChB*; Peeters, Wouter, MD; Alghoul, Mohammed, MD, FACS; Butterwick, Kimberly, MD§; Casabona, Gabriela, MD; Chao, Yates Yen Yu, MD; Costa, Joana, MD#; Eviatar, Joseph, MD, FACS**; Fabi, Sabrina Guillen, MD, FAAD, FAACS††; Lupo, Mary, MD‡‡; Sattler, Gerhard, MD§§; Waldorf, Heidi, MD║║,¶¶; Yutskovskaya, Yana, MD##; Lorenc, Paul, MD*** Global Consensus Guidelines for the Injection of Diluted and Hyperdiluted Calcium Hydroxylapatite for Skin Tightening; Dermatologic Surgery. 45(2):327, February 2019.
  2. FDA Approval for Radiesse
  3. Moers-Carpi MM, Tufet JO. Calcium hydroxylapatite versus nonanimal stabilized hyaluronic acid for the correction of nasolabial folds: a 12-month, multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled, split-face trial. Dermatol Surg. 2008;34(2):210-215.

Dr. Mitchell Chasin is a Cosmetic & Laser Physician at Reflections Center. Dr. Chasin believes strongly that the best cosmetic physicians are those who are dedicated to mastering their craft through continuing education and collaboration with the industry’s top doctors.