Procedure | Non-Surgical
Diluted Radiesse Injection
Diluted radiesse injection is a type of dermal filler. A long-lasting treatment that plumps wrinkles and corrects volume loss in the face and hands.
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.
When diluted with sterile saline and lidocaine, Radiesse is used as a biostimulatory agent that stimulates your body’s natural collagen. 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.
Your doctor will first determine where you need to receive each injection before applying antiseptic to the treatment site. After that, your doctor will decide on your dosage. Finally, you’ll receive the injections.
Radiesse procedures may take up to about 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.
Expect some swelling that should subside in the next 36 hours.
You may 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.
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.
Some individuals enjoy long-term results for up to two years before repeat procedures are required.
Some side effects include swelling, pain, itching, redness, bruising, and infection at the injection site.
In rare cases, the injection could accidentally be placed in a blood vessel, causing severe (and sometimes permanent) side effects.