Radiesse

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Marin, San Francisco, Sonoma and Napa

Radiesse is an injectable dermal filler used to add volume and fullness to the lower face, as well as to correct the appearance of aging hands. Unlike other popular dermal fillers, which are hyaluronic acid-based, Radiesse is formulated differently, and its active ingredient works to help your skin replenish its own essential building blocks. Radiesse offers results that are immediately noticeable after injection and can last for up to a year or more with proper care. Are you tired of seeing wrinkles and folds or a sunken face? Want to hide the age of your hands from the world? If so, then you may want to consider Radiesse.

Plastic Surgery Specialists has a team of highly experienced nurse injectors who can help you achieve the youthful look you desire with Radiesse. We will work closely with you to create an individualized treatment plan that will address your specific concerns. We will also make sure that you are fully informed about all of your options before moving forward with any treatment. Call Plastic Surgery Specialists today at 415-925-2880 if you live in Marin, San Francisco, Sonoma, or Napa, CA. You can also fill out this contact form to request a consultation.

About Radiesse

Radiesse was FDA-approved in 2006 and has been used safely and effectively by physicians worldwide since then. The filler is composed of calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHA) microspheres suspended in a water-based gel carrier. [1] The filler takes effect instantly upon injection as the gel plumps the skin. CaHA consists of phosphate and calcium, which are found naturally in our bones and teeth. [2]

The injectable works by initially filling in missing volume. As time goes on, the gel is slowly absorbed by the body, while the CaHA stimulates collagen production, allowing your skin to become revitalized. The CaHA microspheres create a supportive scaffolding for new stores of collagen. Radiesse is different than other dermal fillers on the market because it stimulates your body’s own production of collagen to lift and plump the skin. It is what’s known as a bio-stimulatory filler. The CaHA in Radiesse slowly absorbs into your body, leaving behind newly generated collagen. In clinical trials, treatment results have lasted for up to eighteen months! [3]

How Your Skin Changes Over Time

Elastin and collagen are important, but do you know why? Collagen and elastin are what help give our skin strength, and the ability to “snap back” and stay firm. However, aging, stress and sun exposure damage these structures, leading to wrinkles and sagging skin.

Radiesse can help to combat the effects of aging by stimulating collagen production and adding volume to your skin. Collagen production is just one of our body’s responses to injury. When you get a cut, your body will produce collagen to form the scar tissue to close the wound. The CaHA in Radiesse tricks the body into an inflammatory response, causing the production of collagen.

What are Radiesse’s Benefits?

The benefits of Radiesse are far-reaching. When you look better, you feel better about yourself, which can lead to improved self-esteem and confidence. Radiesse is perfect for addressing:

  • Deep smile lines, also known as nasolabial folds
  • Oral commissures that give your mouth a downturned appearance
  • Marionette lines
  • Chin wrinkles
  • Smoothing the appearance of jowls 
  • Reducing the appearance of prominent veins in the hands 

Radiesse can also address aging hands, which are often giveaways of our age. Radiesse creates the volume needed to smooth crepey skin on the backs of the hands and help mask visible veins and tendons. Radiesse is a great choice for a long-term solution to volume loss in the face and hands. It is FDA-cleared, safe, and effective for use in all skin types.

How Long Does Radiesse Last?

Radiesse can last for up to a year or more. Results are immediately noticeable and continue to improve over time as Radiesse stimulates collagen production. 

Ideal Candidates for Radiesse

Radiesse treatments are best for adults aged 35-60 who have wrinkles around their mouth or volume loss in the lower face. It is very effective for those seeking a more youthful appearance of their hands. Radiesse is an excellent option for people who want to avoid surgery or those who have not yet reached the point where surgery is necessary.

Patients should note the following precautions:

  • If you have any severe allergies, a bleeding disorder, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, do not use Radiesse.
  • If you’re allergic to lidocaine or other similar medicines, don’t use Radiesse.
  • Certain medications, such as blood thinners or aspirin, can make you more susceptible to bruising or bleeding at the injection site. If you are taking any of these medicines, please let us know before any procedure.
  • Please share any prior illnesses, injuries, scarring, and any skin treatments (such as skin peels) in the treatment area.
  • Radiesse should not be used if you have an active infection.
  • Radiesse dermal filler contains microspheres that can be seen in X-rays and CT Scans. Always inform your health care provider about your Radiesse treatments.

Personal Consultation

During your consultation, we will assess your aesthetic goals and evaluate your skin to ensure that Radiesse is the best dermal filler for you. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hold back: we want to make sure you are well informed and feel comfortable moving forward.

We will also go over the Radiesse injection process so that you know exactly what to expect. The consultation is the perfect time to ask any questions you may have about this treatment, and how it compares to any other alternatives you may be considering.

If your goals will be better met by a surgical procedure, such as a Facelift or Necklift, we will let you know and recommend the best option for you.

Preparation

To prepare for treatment, patients should avoid taking aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), vitamin E supplements, and St. John’s Wort one week before treatment to minimize the risk of bruising or bleeding at the injection site. Patients should also avoid any other skin treatments, such as peels, in the weeks leading up to their Radiesse appointment.

The Radiesse Procedure

On the day of treatment, patients should clean their faces with a mild cleanser and should avoid wearing makeup. We will numb the treatment area with a topical anesthetic, depending on patient preference. Once the area is numb, your injector will place the Radiesse filler beneath your skin using a fine needle. The entire injection process from start to finish usually lasts less than 15 minutes.

Recovery

Radiesse requires no specific aftercare, but patients are advised to avoid lying down for at least four hours and to sleep on their back if possible so as not to put pressure on the injection sites. A cold compress may be used to reduce swelling and bruising.

It is also important to avoid vigorous activity or exposure to heat for 24 hours as this can increase the risk of bruising or swelling.

The adverse events most frequently seen with injections of Radiesse into the hands include bruising, redness, swelling, discomfort, and itching. Local side effects that patients may see on the face include bruises, redness, swelling, pain, and itching.

What are the Results of Radiesse?

The added volume from the Radiesse gel allows patients to enjoy immediate results, and they continue to improve over time as new collagen starts to form. Most patients report looking younger and more refreshed after their first treatment session. Radiesse helps smooth out wrinkles almost immediately after injection and can last for more than a year in some patients.

Corresponding & Complementary Procedures 

At Plastic Surgery Specialists, we offer a wide variety of procedures to help you achieve your desired look. Some of the procedures can be done in conjunction with Radiesse injections. Botox or Dysport helps smooth out wrinkles. Kybella reduces the fat under the chin, and facials or chemical peels help improve the overall texture and tone of the skin. Laser treatments will help with hyperpigmentation and wrinkles. RF Microneedling is an excellent choice for pore reduction and overall improvement of the complexion.

The team of surgeons at Plastic Surgery Specialists perform a wide array of rejuvenating surgical procedures that help patients look and feel their best, including:

Schedule your consultation today to see how we can help you achieve your aesthetic goals.

How Much Does Radiesse Cost in Marin?

The cost of Radiesse will vary depending on the amount needed and the number of injection sites. During your consultation, we will assess your areas of concern and give you a cost estimate. Radiesse is an affordable option for patients who want long-lasting results without surgery.

Call Plastic Surgery Specialists today at 415-925-2880 in Marin, San Francisco, Sonoma, or Napa, CA. You can also fill out this contact form to request a consultation.

References

  1. Graivier MH, Bass LS, Busso M, Jasin ME, Narins RS, Tzikas TL. Calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse) for correction of the mid-and lower face: consensus recommendations. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2007;120(6 Suppl):55S66S. doi:10.1097/01.prs.0000285109.34527.b9
  2. De Santis R, Gloria A, Ambrosio L. 11 – Composite materials for hip joint prostheses. ScienceDirect. Published January 1, 2017. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780081007525000123
  3. Jacovella PF. Use of calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse®) for facial augmentation. Clinical Interventions in Aging. 2008;3(1):161-174. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2544361/