Radiesse®
What is Radiesse®?
Radiesse® is the first FDA approved calcium hydroxylapatite filler used to treat facial folds and wrinkles and volume loss in hands. Radiesse® is a semi-permanent filler that provides immediate contouring, but is also considered a biostimulator because it increases collagen and elastin production.
Collagen and elastin are critical components to maintain our skin’s tensile strength and elasticity. Over time, collagen and elastin breaks down as a result of aging and sun damage, which contributes to the formation of wrinkles and sagging skin. Furthermore, the skin cannot produce new collagen and elastin on its own. After Radiesse® is injected, the gel carrier provides immediate volume and wrinkle correction while the calcium hydroxylapatite creates a scaffolding to stimulate collagen and elastin production. The new collagen and elastin replaces the gel carrier and improves the skin’s structure and tensile strength.
Dr. Kil has safely injected Radiesse® in NYC since 2008. She injects the precise amount of filler in specific locations to restore volume loss and decrease deep wrinkles and folds while avoiding an overfilled look.
What Are Fillers?
Fillers have been successfully used to treat facial aging and enhance facial features. Facial aging is characterized by volume loss and bony recession. This process increases the prominence of the folds between the cheeks and lips, Marionette’s lines around the mouth, chin jowls, and atrophy of the temples, cheeks, and tear troughs. Collagen loss and elastin breakdown also leads to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Patients in a wider age group also seek non-surgical options to refine the appearance of lips, jawline, and nose bridge and areas with atrophic scarring.
Fillers such as Juvederm®, Restylane®, and RHA Collection® are made of hyaluronic acid, a natural component in our skin’s dermis that holds water and fills spaces between collagen fibers. These fillers hydrate the skin and restore facial volume, which decreases the appearance of folds, atrophy, and wrinkles and reverses the signs of aging. They also can be used to enhance facial features. Hyaluronic acid fillers are reversible with injections of hyaluronidase, such as Hylanex® or Vitrasse®.
Radiesse® is a semi-permanent filler made of calcium hydroxylapatite that treats facial folds and volume loss. Radiesse® is considered a biostimulator because it increases collagen and elastin production. Restylane® Lyft and Radiesse® is also FDA approved for hand rejuvenation to help restore volume loss.
Who is a candidate for Radiesse®? Who is not a candidate?
Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding are advised to hold off on treatment. Individuals who are allergic to lidocaine and hyaluronic acid and have a history of severe allergies, including anaphylaxis, should not be treated. Patients who have an infection at the treatment area are advised to delay treatment until the infection has resolved. Patients who are planning to have dental work are advised to hold off on filler treatment for two weeks.
How do you prepare for Radiesse®?
Before fillers are performed, it is best to avoid alcohol and stop any unnecessary blood thinners, such as aspirin, advil or ibuprofen, fish oil, and Vitamin E, for 48 hours before the procedure to minimize bruising. While all fillers contain an anesthetic, patients may opt to arrive in the office 30 minutes before the procedure to receive topical anesthetic to decrease any discomfort associated with the injection, especially on the lips.
What can you expect during Radiesse® treatment?
After the treatment area is cleaned, Radiesse® is injected in small amounts. The treatment areas can show swelling and redness. The treatment areas are massaged to prevent the formation of bumps and ice packs are applied.
What is the aftercare and recovery for Radiesse®?
Patients can apply ice packs to the treatment area to decrease the redness, swelling, and bruising. They are advised to avoid alcohol, advil, alleve, aspirin, fish oil, and vitamin E for 48 hours after treatment to avoid worsening of bruising and swelling.
What are the side effects of Radiesse®?
Common side effects include redness, swelling, tenderness, bruising, and the formation of bumps or nodules at the injection site. Other side effects include skin infection. A rare side effect is blood vessel occlusion, which involves the placement of filler into the blood vessels and can lead to permanent scarring if left untreated. Consequently, it is important to receive treatment from an experienced provider who is adept at handling these side effects. Radiesse® is a semi-permanent filler that cannot be reversed. However, bumps or nodules can be treated with cortisone injections.
When will I notice results from Radiesse®? How long does Radiesse® last?
After any bruising or swelling subsides, the final results from filler treatment appear a few days later. Radiesse lasts for twelve months.
What are the potential costs for Radiesse®?
Please contact the office at (212) 207-0078 or info@newbloomderm.com for pricing per syringe.
How is Radiesse® different from the other treatments offered?
Radiesse® is one of the best researched and effective non-invasive treatments for deep wrinkles and facial folds as a result of volume loss. It is a relatively quick treatment and requires minimal downtime. Patients who are more comfortable to try a filler with a shorter duration that is reversible may consider a hyaluronic acid filler such as Restylane®, and RHA® Collection. Patients who do not want injections and prefer treatments with minimal downtime for tightening of skin can consider Exilis Ultra 360™, Sylfirm X RF microneedling, and Ultherapy®.
Fillers are not the same as Botox® and other neuromodulators. Botox® and other neuromodulators are used to decrease wrinkles as a result of dynamic muscle movement and tense muscles. Fillers are mostly injected to deep wrinkles or folds as a result of volume loss in areas such as the folds between the cheek and the mouth. However, certain fillers that are thinner in density, such as RHA Redensity™, can be safely injected to superficial wrinkles to help smooth the skin’s texture.
Before any treatments are scheduled, a cosmetic consultation is required to ensure that Radiesse® is an appropriate treatment.
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