Radiesse
Radiesse is a non-invasive cosmetic treatment which can be used in a variety of ways to add natural contours and reduce signs of aging. Radiesse is used primarily in facial areas, but it may also be used for cosmetic treatments in the hands. Radiesse treatment consists of the injection of a dermal filler that adds volume under the skin, resulting in a more healthy and youthful appearance. Radiesse dermal filler is unique because it works with the body to provide longer-lasting results, with many patients seeing results last for a year to two years.
Radiesse offers a unique approach from other cosmetic dermal fillers. Like other dermal fillers, Radiesse delivers immediate results following injection. Unlike other fillers, Radiesse continues to work over time. Through a process called collagenesis, the body is stimulated to produce more collagen at the injection site. This increase in collagen production creates a naturally younger look over a longer period of time.
Because the primary component of Radiesse is a natural substance found in the body, there is no risk of allergic reaction associated with Radiesse treatments. Some fillers are meant to target only lines in the face, but Radiesse can be used for larger areas such as the cheek, chin and hands. Even in large areas, the results are soft and natural looking.
Who is Radiesse for?
There are no age restrictions when it comes to Radiesse, but treatments are usually prescribed for people between the ages of 25 and 60. There are a wide variety of applications which can benefit from Radiesse treatment. Nasolabial folds, or smile lines, have been treated in the past with short term fillers. This is also the case with oral commissures, or marionette lines, which appear at the corners of the mouth and extend to the chin. When treated with Radiesse, the results are longer lasting than with other dermal fillers.
Non-surgical rhinoplasty to improve the appearance of the nose can also be done with Radiesse. Doctors and patients have reported high levels of satisfaction when Radiesse is used to treat nasal imperfections. Hollow areas in the cheeks can be filled with Radiesse, and it can also be used reshape and contour the chin and jaw line. The hands are another part of the body that can benefit from Radiesse treatment. Hands often show signs of aging in the form of pronounced bones and veins. The dermal filler in Radiesse can add volume to the hands and restore a more youthful appearance.
The condition known as HIV-associated facial lipoatrophy, or facial wasting, can be effectively treated with Radiesse. This wasting includes hollowed checks and sunken areas in the face. Following treatment Radiesse, patients with facial lipoatrophy regain a healthy and more youthful facial appearance.
Another medical condition which can be treated with Radiesse is vocal fold insufficiency. This condition occurs when the vocal chords no longer meet and results in an inability to speak above a whisper. Radiesse can be used to correct this condition and allow patients to return to normal speech.
How Radiesse Works
Radiesse dermal filler is composed of patented calcium microspheres which are suspended in a water-based gel. This gel is injected into the face in the locations which need filling. Following injection, the Radiesse microspheres perform the function of a normal dermal filler and add natural-looking volume to the face. The filler results can be seen immediately.
As time passes, the body gradually absorbs the water-based gel, leaving the microspheres. The body will then begin to form new collagen around the microspheres. The benefits of the Radiesse dermal filler will continue and improve while collagen is being formed, with the process continuing for up to a year or more. Eventually, the microspheres dissolve and collagen generation ceases.
A Radiesse treatment is non-invasive, simple and convenient. The treatment can usually be completed in less than an hour at a doctor's office. The doctor will first determine which areas would benefit from dermal filler and decide how much Radiesse should be injected. In most cases a local anesthesia is administered to minimize the amount of discomfort. Following treatment, patients can return home and resume normal activities immediately.
There may be some swelling or bruising following Radiesse treatment; the swelling should disappear within 36 hours. There may be pain or discomfort which can be treated with medication. Once swelling has subsided, the results of the treatment are fully evident.
Most patients report higher satisfaction levels with Radiesse than with other dermal fillers such as Restylane or Juvederm. If additional filler is desired to smooth superficial lines and wrinkles, Radiesse may be used in conjunction with Restylane or Juvederm. For severe signs of aging, more drastic measures such as a surgical facelift may be required to improve the appearance of the face.
How often is Treatment Recommended?
Like all dermal fillers, the effects of Radiesse are temporary. What sets Radiesse apart from other dermal fillers is the fact that its effects are longer lasting. Since Radiesse continues to work for a year or more following treatment, a longer period of time can pass before retreatment is needed. This saves both time and money in comparison to other dermal fillers.
Immediately following treatment, if the expected results are not achieved then a follow up treatment may be prescribed. This would be in the nature of a "touch up" which would consist of one or more additional injections to achieve the desired results.
Radiesse Side Effects
Radiesse dermal filler uses a substance which is biologically compatible to substances found in the body. This removes the risk of allergic reaction. Very few side effects have been found in clinical trials or reported from doctors. When Radiesse is injected, its dermal filler will not migrate away from the injection site. As the microspheres in the Radiesse gel are broken down, they are metabolized naturally by the body.
Radiesse has been approved by the FDA. During FDA clinical trials, no allergic reactions to Radiesse were found. The main side effects found in these tests are considered to be normal injection site reactions such as swelling, bruising, redness and discomfort. These side effects usually disappear within a few days without the necessity of medical treatment.
A rare complication has been reported related to development of nodules which would require surgery or treatment with steroids. If intense pain or other abnormal symptoms occur following treatment, medical help should be sought immediately. The doctor who performs the Radiesse treatment should be consulted about possible side effects and treatments. Radiesse is not recommended for use as a lip filler since the chances of nodules forming are increased for treatments involving the lips.
Who can Provide Radiesse?
While many dermatologists and doctors have experience with facial cosmetic treatments, Radiesse should only be prescribed and administered by a doctor who has received training in specific techniques for maximizing the benefits of this dermal filler. There are currently thousands of doctors throughout the world who have received this training and are also familiar with best practices for Radiesse administration. Consulting with a doctor who is trained in Radiesse treatment will help ensure that treatments will be safe and will achieve the optimal results.
Radiesse should be administered in an office setting which offers the highest level of medical care. It's a good idea to ask to see before and after pictures of other patients that the doctor has treated with Radiesse.
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