Radiesse

1. Introduction to Radiesse

Radiesse is a dermal filler. It is a medical treatment involving skin injections. It is composed of calcium hydroxyapatite. This product fills wrinkles and restores volume.

Unlike other products, it stimulates collagen production, which improves skin texture. It also restores volume in sagging areas. Radiesse is growing in popularity, offering natural results without surgery. Patients choose Radiesse to treat the face, hands, and neck, as well as other areas affected by aging. The results are long-lasting and can endure for up to 12 months.

The main advantage of Radiesse is its natural effect. It treats multiple areas and stimulates skin regeneration, improving skin quality over time. It’s an effective option for those seeking subtle rejuvenation.

2. What is Radiesse?

Radiesse is a gel composed of calcium hydroxyapatite microspheres. This substance is naturally present in the body, primarily found in bones and teeth. Radiesse is used for its volumizing properties and biocompatibility.

When Radiesse is injected, it fills wrinkles and then stimulates collagen production. This process is called neocollagenesis, helping the skin regain its firmness and improving skin texture over the long term, making the treatment both effective and natural.

Compared to hyaluronic acid, Radiesse offers longer-lasting results. While hyaluronic acid provides an immediate but temporary effect, Radiesse continues working by encouraging collagen production after the injection, thus prolonging treatment effects. According to a scientific article, results may last 12 to 18 months.

This makes Radiesse an ideal solution for those seeking long-lasting results.

3. Main Indications for Radiesse

Radiesse treats multiple areas of the body. The most common are the face, hands, neck, and décolleté. It is also used for rejuvenating the arms and knees

Face 

Radiesse corrects deep wrinkles, such as nasolabial folds. It also restores volume in the cheeks and cheekbones. Additionally, this product can redefine the facial contour or jawline

Hands

With age, the hands lose volume. The veins and tendons become visible. Radiesse fills these areas and rejuvenates the appearance of the hands.

Neck and low-cut

Radiesse firms and smooths the skin of the neck and décolleté.
Radiesse targets the loss of firmness and skin laxity. It also fills in deep wrinkles. This product improves skin textureand restores the volume lost with age. It treats both wrinkles and firmness.
The results of Radiesse appear after a few weeks to 2 months, as collagen production activates. The skin becomes firmer, the facial contours are redefined, and skin texture improves. These effects can last up to 12 months. Some patients even notice longer improvement, depending on their metabolism.

4. Procedure of an Injection Session

An initial consultation is essential before treatment. The aesthetic center of Dr. Ghali performs Radiesse injections.
Visit our website or make an appointment to learn more.
The doctor examines the skin, identifies the areas to be treated, and also assesses the patient’s aesthetic goals. This allows for the selection of the most suitable treatment.
The injection procedure is simple. The doctor starts by disinfecting the area. Then, they inject the product using a fine cannula. Radiesse contains lidocaine, a local anesthetic, which makes the injection almost painless.
The injection lasts a few minutes. The duration of the session varies according to the amount of product and the areas to be treated. Generally, the complete session takes about 30 minutes.
Visible results appear in two phases. The plumping effect is immediate, while collagen production occurs gradually. The body begins to react to the product after a few weeks. Results last approximately 12 months. Some patients may require maintenance injections after one year.
Radiesse offers an effective and non-invasive solution to restore volume and smooth wrinkles. The results are long-lasting, and this treatment is appreciated for its natural effect. It rejuvenates the skin without surgery.

5. Advantages and Disadvantages of Radiesse

Radiesse has many advantages that make it a popular product in aesthetic medicine, but it also has some disadvantages.

Advantages

One of the main advantages of Radiesse is its stimulation of natural collagen production.
Unlike traditional fillers like hyaluronic acid, which only temporarily fill in wrinkles, Radiesse triggers a process called neocollagenesis.
This process helps the skin produce its own collagen, resulting in improved firmness and elasticity over the long term.
Results are visible immediately after injection, but continue to improve over time due to increased collagen production by the body.
Radiesse also offers a natural appearance. It restores volume to the face and other body parts without creating an artificial effect.
The biocompatibility of calcium hydroxyapatite, which is already present in the body, ensures good tolerance of the product.
This minimizes the risk of allergic reactions and allows for a subtle and harmonious effect.
Another advantage is the longevity of the results. The effects of Radiesse can last between 12 and 18 months, depending on the treated area and the patient’s metabolism.
This duration is much longer than that of hyaluronic acid-based fillers, whose effects generally fade after 6 to 12 months. Thanks to collagen stimulation, some patients even see improvements beyond this period.

Disadvantages

However, Radiesse also presents potential drawbacks. As with any injectable treatment, side effects may occur. The most common include bruising, swelling, and redness at the injection site. These effects are temporary and usually disappear within a few days, but they can sometimes last longer, particularly in patients with sensitive skin.
Another drawback is the need for regular maintenance. Although Radiesse has long-lasting effects, they are not permanent. To maintain results, it is recommended to have touch-up injections once a year.
Finally, Radiesse is not recommended for all areas of the face or for all skin types. For example, it is less suitable for the lips or superficial wrinkles, where hyaluronic acid products are more effective. Additionally, patients with a history of keloid scars or autoimmune diseases should avoid this treatment.

6. Comparison with Other Anti-Aging Treatments

Radiesse vs. Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is another popular product for filling wrinkles and restoring volume. However, these two products have notable differences. Hyaluronic acid mainly acts as a temporary filler for wrinkles and lost volume. It is often used for lighter corrections, such as skin hydration and filling in superficial wrinkles. In contrast, Radiesse targets deeper wrinkles and significant volume loss. Additionally, hyaluronic acid breaks down more quickly, requiring more frequent touch-ups every 6 to 12 months. Radiesse, through collagen stimulation, offers longer-lasting results with a cumulative effect.

Radiesse vs. Botox

Botox and Radiesse have different objectives. Botox is used to relax the muscles responsible for dynamic wrinkles, such as those on the forehead and around the eyes. These are wrinkles that appear due to repeated muscle movements. Radiesse, on the other hand, is a filler that fills areas where volume has been lost, such as the cheeks or jawline.
The choice between these two treatments should not be made separately; they should be combined.

7. Conclusion

Radiesse is an ideal option for those looking to restore firmness and volume to their face or other areas of the body. Its ability to stimulate natural collagen production sets it apart from other fillers.
Results are natural, gradual, and long-lasting. It can treat multiple areas of the body, from the face to the hands, as well as the neck and décolleté.
In the future, new uses for Radiesse may be explored, particularly in combination with other aesthetic treatments for even more harmonious results.
When combined with hyaluronic acid injections or skin-tightening technologies like Ultherapy, it could offer even more comprehensive solutions.

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the possible risks and side effects?
The most common side effects are bruising, swelling, and redness at the injection site. These symptoms usually disappear after a few days. However, as with any injection, there is a small risk of infection or allergy.

How long does an injection session last?
The injection session lasts about 30 minutes, depending on the areas to be treated and the amount of product used. It is recommended to allow a little extra time for an initial consultation and to discuss expectations with the doctor.

When are the results visible?
The initial effects are visible immediately after the injection, as the product instantly fills in wrinkles and lost volume. However, the final results appear gradually as collagen forms in the following weeks.

How long do the effects last?
The effects of Radiesse last between 12 and 18 months. This depends on the treated area and the patient’s metabolism. To maintain results, an annual touch-up session is generally recommended.

Is the treatment painful?
The treatment is generally not very painful. Radiesse contains lidocaine, a local anesthetic that makes the injection more comfortable. Some areas may be more sensitive than others, but most patients tolerate the treatment well.

Are there contraindications for Radiesse?
Radiesse is contraindicated in pregnant or breastfeeding women. It should not be used in patients with autoimmune diseases or sensitivity to the product’s components. A history of skin infection in the area to be treated is also a contraindication.
This comprehensive overview informs you about how Radiesse works, its indications, and the injection process. If you wish to learn more, you can visit Merz Aesthetics.