What is Radiesse®
Radiesse® is an injectable calcium-based gel designed to stimulate your own body’s collagen to naturally add volume to the areas of injection. Radiesse® is a volumetric filler as well as a biostimulator. It is made up of Calcium Hydroxlapatite (CaHA) microspheres which are suspended in an aqueous gel carrier that your body breaks down and then produces its own collagen in the area of Radiesse® injection.
Radiesse® is FDA approved for the correction of facial lipoatrophy or loss of fat in the face and hands, and can be injected in multiple areas including the cheeks, temples, jawline, as well as hands.
What Areas of the Body Can Radiesse Treat?
Radiesse® can be used effectively correct areas of volume loss such as the cheeks and temples. These areas can appear sunken or hollow, and regional correction of volume can rejuvenate and balance the face. Deep wrinkles and folds within the lower face, including the nasolabial folds, marionette lines and wrinkles within the chin can be treated with Radiesse®.
Radiesse® injections can be combined with other in-office procedures such as other volumetric fillers (Juvéderm® or Restylane®) and/or neuromodulators (BOTOX® or Xeomin) to provide a minimally invasive correction of early facial aging.
Ideal Candidates for Radiesse Treatment:
Radiesse® is a filler and biostimulator and gradually encourages your bodies own collagen deposition in the areas of injection. Radiesse® injections are usually performed as an in-office procedure to effectively achieve the goal correction in each area. The results are long-lasting and natural, but an accurate injection technique is needed to avoid any lumpiness or over correction in the areas. Radiesse® should not be used in patients who have active skin infections or inflammation (swelling) in the area to be treated, or who are allergic to any of its ingredients.
Expectations for your Radiesse Procedure:
Through injectable biostimulators like Radiesse and Sculptra®, patients can achieve a natural, youthful appearance with minimal downtime and few side effects. With realistic expectations and good overall health, most patients are satisfied with the results of this procedure, though volumetric replacement is only one component of in-office facial rejuvenation. Ideal patients should be taking care of their skin with active skin care and/or skin resurfacing, as well as the addition of neuromodulators like BOTOX®.
Radiesse® is dependent on your own bodies collagen production, and multiple facial regions and/or areas of significant volume loss may require multiple syringes of the product and repetitive treatments. Radiesse® is long lasting, but re-injection may be needed to maintain the volumetric correction.
How is Radiesse Treatment Performed?
Radiesse® injections are done in the office by Dr. Trussler. After a full face consultation where your goals will be discussed and your face and skin evaluated a treatment plan will be presented, including the amount of Radiesse® needed for each area.
Prior to injection the areas will be anesthetized with topical numbing cream and/or local anesthesia. The skin is cleaned with anti-bacterial solution before injections to limit any risk of infection. The areas of injections are cooled with ice packs to limit any localized bruising or swelling. Dr. Trussler uses the advanced Radiesse® with local anesthetic in the product to ensure a technique that will be comfortable and reliable. The product is injected under the skin at different depths depending on the area of treatment. Correction is instantaneous and the areas of injection are confirmed by the patient with a mirror after the product is placed and massaged by Dr. Trussler.
What is the Recovery from Radiesse Treatment?
The results of a Radiesse® injections are immediately visible after the procedure. Collagen stimulation will evolve into a gradual and natural volume improvement in the areas of injections. The results will be realized over a 4 week period as any swelling and bruising subside and the bodies own collagen is produced. The lower eyelids and upper cheek region may swell more than other areas, but this can be limited with the use of cooling ice packs. Dr. Trussler encourages the use of topical ice packs every 4 to 6 hours for the first 2 days to limit bruising and swelling. Massage after Radiesse® is discouraged so that the product is not dispalced. Physical activity can be resumed the day after the injections.
Most patients see an improvement in the treatment areas and only need minor treatments over a 2 year period to achieve optimal results. Results may vary and touch up treatments may be required to maintain results, but Radiesse® can smooth, shape and fill the areas of injections with long lasting results.
*Disclaimer: Results and individual patient experience may vary.
Whether you have a question or would like to setup a Radiesse® consultation, , Dr. Andrew Trussler and his staff are here to help. Please fill out our contact form, or call our Austin office at 512-450-1077 to schedule an appointment. Start your journey to not only looking, but feeling better today!
