Radiesse: What You Need to Know

Radiesse is an injectable filler used to plump wrinkled or folded areas of the skin, most often on the face. As it works, Radiesse stimulates the naturally-occurring collagen beneath your skin. It works immediately, can last for up to two years, and is a highly sought-after choice for dermal filling.

Radiesse treatments are most often given in the skin surrounding the nose and mouth. Some people who choose this procedure want to fill in wrinkled areas in their hands. Injections are administered under the skin with a tiny needle. The ingredients in Radiesse are nontoxic, nonallergenic, and compatible with your body’s natural tissues.

Ideal candidates for Radiesse treatments are adults between the ages of 35 and 60 who have developed folds and wrinkles around their mouth and nose. Candidates who want the skin on their hands plumped are also ideal. It’s sometimes indicated for people who have experienced fat loss in their facial area due to HIV infection.

Radiesse tends to cost $650 to $800 for each syringe used in the procedure. The amount of Radiesse used can vary, depending on how many injections you need. Your doctor will determine the number of injections based on how many areas of your face need to be treated.

Another factor in cost is the dosage you’ll need per injection. Because of all the variable factors, it can be difficult to estimate your costs for Radiesse until you’ve been to your first consultation.

Radiesse is considered an elective cosmetic procedure. It’s not likely your insurance will cover the injections, so you’ll want to get accurate estimates from your doctor up-front. If the cost is outside your budget, you can also talk to your doctor about treatment financing options.

Radiesse is made of calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHA) gel microspheres that work immediately upon injection. CaHA is made up of ions of phosphate and calcium, which occur naturally in the human body.

The injectable gel initially does all the work of filling in the volume you want. As time goes on, though, the CaHA stimulates your naturally-occurring collagen, allowing your skin to produce more of its own filler. The hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon in the gel help to create a structure that mimics connective tissue.

Eventually, the CaHA absorbs back into your body, leaving your collagen in its place. Because of the science behind Radiesse, treatment results can last for well over a year — even up to two years for some people.

Your doctor will inject Radiesse in their office while using local anesthesia. It’s possible you may experience discomfort or a small amount of pain with each injection. Lidocaine is FDA-approved to be combined with Radiesse injections to ease any pain you may feel during the procedure.

First, your doctor will determine where you need to receive each injection. Then, they’ll apply antiseptic to the sites where you’ll be injected. After that, your doctor will decide on your dosage. Finally, you’ll receive the injections.

Radiesse procedures can take as long as 15 minutes, depending on how many injections you need. You won’t have to spend any recovery time at the doctor’s office, and you should be able to go home immediately after you’ve received your injections.

People who receive Radiesse injections tend to get them in areas of the face, particularly around the nose and mouth, where the skin is wrinkled or folded. It’s used to fill laugh lines and restore a youthful appearance to the skin. In some cases, Radiesse can be used to fill in deep scars.

Radiesse can be used to fill in lost volume in the back of your hands as well. It’s also indicated for people with HIV who have lost fat in areas of their face.

People who reported side effects from Radiesse injections in the face most often experienced:

• swelling
• itching
• pain
• bruising
• redness

People who receive Radiesse injections in their hands have reported side effects such as:

• itching
• pain
• difficulty with normal movement
• sensation loss
• redness
• swelling
• bruising
• itching
• lumps and nodules

If you have a history of allergic reactions or you’re allergic to any of the ingredients in Radiesse, you should avoid this procedure. You should also avoid Radiesse if you’re allergic to lidocaine or similar medications.

People with bleeding disorders — or anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding — shouldn’t use Radiesse. People with a history of herpes might have an outbreak following the procedure.

Never receive Radiesse injections when you have an active skin infection. All injection procedures carry the risk of infection. Additionally, receiving injections puts you at risk of accidentally receiving Radiesse in a blood vessel rather than the connective tissue. Possible complications could be permanent, and include:

• scabbing (temporary)
• scarring (permanent)
• stroke
• paleness or a white tinge to the affected skin
• abnormal vision
• blindness
• severe pain

In rare cases, nodules could form beneath the skin which may require corticosteroid or surgical treatment. Any symptoms that appear to be outside the norm or continue to get worse require your doctor’s immediate attention.

If you receive an X-ray or CT imaging following your Radiesse treatment, be sure to notify your doctor. Radiesse microspheres are visible in these types of scans, so your doctor should be made aware you received the injections.

You can expect immediate improvement in the treated skin. Within a week, you should experience full results.

Radiesse isn’t permanent, so you’ll have to repeat treatments as often as needed. For some people, treatments will only be required every two years. Others might need small maintenance injections in between major treatments.

Swelling shouldn’t be severe, and you should expect it to go down in no more than 36 hours. You’ll probably experience some bruising and discomfort, which you can alleviate with over-the-counter medicines.

While you’ll be able to return to your normal routine immediately, you’ll need to avoid strenuous exercise or other activities. Your skin may be especially sensitive to sunlight, so avoid direct sun and heat for at least 24 hours or until your redness and swelling have gone down.

Before you receive Radiesse injections, consult with your doctor regarding any medications you’re currently taking. Some medications, like blood thinners, warfarin, or aspirin, can cause excessive bleeding or bruising at the location of treatment.

Your doctor will also need to know if you have any issues with your hands, like disabilities, diseases, or injuries. Let them know if your skin tends to scar poorly, particularly if the scars are raised or large. They should also be aware of skin peels or similar treatments you may have had.

There could be other alternatives that work better for your unique situation, including fat fillers, collagen injections, Juvederm treatments, or face-lift procedures.

Juvederm is an alternative skin filler to Radiesse. Juvederm is made of a hyaluronic acid gel that mimics your body’s naturally-occurring hyaluronic acid. There are several different Juvederm products that are meant for the lips, cheeks, or nose and mouth.

Your doctor may also suggest other interventions in addition to fillers, including:

• microdermabrasion
• a chemical peel
• laser skin treatments

Whatever your decision, it’s important to find a care provider with the proper qualifications. You want the best treatment for your situation, so you’ll want to find a doctor who’s had extensive experience administering Radiesse. You can find a qualified provider in your area here.