Radiesse® Treatments in NYC
As we age, our own natural collagen breaks down and is diminished, leading to a loss of facial volume. This lack of supportive structure underneath the skin leads to the formation of wrinkles. With modern dermatology practices, it is possible to improve the appearance with the skin by reversing volume loss through dermal filler rejuvenation. Facial wrinkles and other signs of aging can be improved upon by utilizing a range of non-invasive treatments that offer effective, long lasting results. Radiesse is one of the most innovative dermal fillers, which uses calcium-based microspheres, to correct facial wrinkles and volume loss in the face.
For many individuals today, there is absolutely no need to undergo a face lift or plastic surgery. Many people are choosing to skip invasive cosmetic procedures carried out by a plastic surgeon and prefer non-invasive solutions to their problems. Injectable fillers like RADIESSE® can be used instead, to help restore firmer and younger looking skin. By replacing lost volume, Radiesse promotes increased production of collagen for continued improvements in skin rejuvenation. Radiesse can also be used for hand rejuvenation, helping to treat wrinkles and replace volume loss in our hands.
If you are frustrated by the appearance of deep lines and wrinkles, and are looking to create a more youthful appearance, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green is here to help. Dr. Green is an internationally renowned cosmetic dermatology with over 25 years of experience in cosmetic injectables like Botox, Juvederm, Sculptra, and Restylane. An expert in non-invasive skin rejuvenation, Dr. Green’s “less is more” philosophy and her artistry leads to beautiful, natural looking cosmetic results.
What is Radiesse?
RADIESSE® is an FDA approved injectable filler that’s composed of calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHA), which replenishes the lost collagen under your skin. Using a patented microsphere technology, each injection starts a process called collagenases, which stimulates the body to produce new collagen and encourages collagen growth around the injection site. At the same time, the CaHA gel microspheres themselves provide immediate volume to fill in visible deep lines and wrinkles.
Does Radiesse Build Collagen?
Upon injection, your skin cells grow around the calcium hydroxyapatite particles. Radiesse provides the immediate volume that is needed and under the skin, like a supporting scaffold that allows your own natural collagen to grow. This process of collagenases continues long after your initial treatment; though the CaHA will be absorbed naturally into your body, the new collagen production that it stimulates will boost volume long after the CaHA dissipates. The results from dermal filler injections are long lasting, and Radiesse typically lasts many months to a year and, in some cases, up to two years.
Who makes Radiesse?
Radiesse is made by Merz Aesthetics, popular for other products like Xeomin, Belotero Balance, and Ultherapy. It was initially approved by the FDA in 2006 as a treatment for moderate to severe facial wrinkles, and became FDA-approved for use on hands in 2015.
Before and after photo: 2 weeks Radiesse in lower part of face
What is Radiesse used for?
Radiesse is commonly used to treat wrinkles and deep lines around the nose and mouth area. Radiesse injections works well for areas of the face and lower face, including nasolabial folds (also known as smile lines) and marionette lines. Dr. Green often recommends Radiesse treatments for areas of the face which require a volumizing filler, as Radiesse can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve the general contouring of the injected area.
Additionally, Radiesse is a popular option for its ability to treat a wide variety of treatment areas. Radiesse is FDA-approved for use on the hands, in addition to reducing the appearance of deep folds on the face. Radiesse is also an excellent option when it comes to contouring the jawline and cheekbones when injected onto the bone. Further, Radiesse can be used in an off-label treatment to address skin laxity and textural issues in a hyper diluted form. Dr. Green has seen that this hyper diluted form of Radiesse can improve the neck and decolletage, arms, abdomen, and buttocks, particularly when addressing cellulite, crepiness, or stretch marks along the skin. The bio-stimulatory effect of Radiesse is not only helpful in terms of smoothing out deep folds and wrinkles, but also when it comes to boosting collagen and improving skin texture. Dr. Green often uses a complementary radiofrequency energy treatment, Thermage, to optimize the volumizing and skin firming effects of Radiesse.
More Benefits of Radiesse
One of the benefits of Radiesse is that it is can be performed during your “lunch time” with no recovery time. Your first treatment should take only 30 minutes, and you can immediately resume your normal daily routine and activities. There is no downtime with Radiesse with very little chance of side effects or allergic reactions since calcium hydroxyapatite is a substance that occurs naturally within the body.
How does Radiesse Treatment work?
The process for Radiesse treatment is quick and easy. Before your initial treatment, Dr. Green will evaluate your facial anatomy during a consultation and will discuss with you how dermal filler injections may complement your existing skincare regimen. Each injection can be adjusted to compensate for the changes that occur in your face over time for beautiful results that bring out the best in your face at any age. Before you come in for your treatment, we recommend avoiding any blood thinners such as aspirin, as these can increase the risk of bruising after any injectable treatment.
During your Radiesse procedure, the treated area will be cleaned and Dr. Green will inject Radiesse underneath the surface of the skin. Radiesse has lidocaine incorporated within the formulation in order to numb the area upon injection, and an additional numbing cream (topical anesthetic) can be applied in order to prevent any further discomfort. After your treatment, you can resume normal activity, as there is no downtime required, though Dr. Green recommends avoiding any extreme exercise or intense sun exposure for 48 hours post-treatment.
What to expect after Radiesse Treatment
After treatment, you should begin to see the volumizing effects almost immediately, though you may experience mild redness or swelling for the first few days post-treatment. Your results will continue to improve for several weeks after your Radiesse treatment, and your new youthful appearance will last for up to a full year.
Radiesse is absorbed by your body over time and requires no allergy testing. The results are soft and pliable for very natural looking results. After your treatment, you should look refreshed and rejuvenated, with a marked improvement in your appearance. In some cases, Dr. Green may combine this with additional injectables at our New York practice, such as Botox® Cosmetic, Dysport, or Xeomin, for more comprehensive results.
Is Radiesse Permanent?
Radiesse is a non-permanent treatment, meaning that its results are temporary. However, the results are long-lasting, and touch-up appointments are so simple that most patients prefer dermal fillers to higher risk, invasive plastic surgery alternatives for facial rejuvenation.
How long does Radiesse last?
For most patients, the revitalizing effects of Radiesse last up to one year, though some patients find that their results can last beyond the one-year mark. Many patients choose to have touch-up Radiesse treatment sessions on an annual basis in order to maintain optimal results in the long term.
How long is Radiesse moldable?
After an initial injection, Dr. Green massages the treatment area in order to ensure that the injectable does not have any localized accumulation after treatment. However, accumulation, bumps or lumps can occur with an inexperienced injector. Additionally, swelling near the injection site can cause the tissue to feel firm. Targeted massage to the treated area can help to offset any accumulation of Radiesse under the skin, and any firmness caused by localized swelling should dissipate a few days after your initial treatment. In general, Radiesse continues to soften over the first several weeks after treatment. Nevertheless, if you are observing a large amount of firmness, lumps or bumps for more than a few days after your treatment, contact Dr. Green to learn how she can help.
Can Radiesse be dissolved?
Unlike hyaluronic acid dermal fillers, which can be dissolved completely through the use of hyaluronidase, Radiesse cannot be dissolved. For this reason, it’s important to choose an expert injector who can give you the best results possible. When it comes to dermal filler injections, Dr. Green provides an artful “less is more” approach, providing her patients with a natural-looking, youthful appearance that evens out deeper folds and wrinkles. Whereas an inexperience injector can lead to disappointing results, as well as lumps that appear under the skin, Dr. Green’s expertise ensures a beautiful, even result with each of her patients.
If you’re curious how to get rid of Radiesse faster, unfortunately you may have to be patient, as typically Radiesse lasts at least six months after injection. Current study is underway to see if sodium thiosulfate can safely dissolve Radiesse, but no formal conclusions have been drawn at this point.
Are there any side effects from Radiesse?
After treatment, some patients may experience mild side effects, such as swelling and redness in along the treated area. These symptoms typically dissipate during the first few days post-treatment. Additionally, patients who have a history of bleeding disorders, or are currently pregnant or breastfeeding, are contraindicated for Radiesse.
The answer to “Is Radiesse safe?” is a confident yes. Radiesse is an FDA-approved injectable designed to reduce the appearance of deep folds and wrinkles in the face, as well as help with hand rejuvenation. Though mild risks and side effects are at play with any injectable treatment, Radiesse is safe when provided by a board-certified healthcare professional. The majority of severe complications arises when an inexperienced injector injects the dermal filler into a blood vessel, which can increase risk for cellulitis, submucosal nodules, or necrosis (death of the tissue). For this reason, it is vital that you work with a board- certified medical professional for any injectable cosmetic treatment. Dr. Green is an expert in injectable and anti-aging cosmetic treatments, and prioritizes the safety and satisfaction of her patients above all else.
Before and after photo: 3 weeks Radiesse in lower part of face
Is Radiesse better than Juvederm?
Radiesse and Juvederm are both excellent filler treatment options used to provide a revitalized, youthful appearance to a variety patients. Radiesse and Juvederm differ primarily in terms of their formulation. Juvederm, along with Restylane, is a dermal filler that uses hyaluronic acid, a natural substance found in the body, to stimulate collagen production and in turn correct volume loss in the face and to improve the look of mild to severe facial wrinkles. Both can be applied to a variety of facial areas, though hyaluronic acid fillers can provide more flexibility in more delicate treated areas of tissue, such as under the eyes and or for lip augmentation. Radiesse is typically used to smooth out deeper folds, such as nasolabial folds and marionette lines, whereas Juvederm is often preferred for boosting volume in targeted areas.
When it comes to choosing the best dermal filler or alternative cosmetic treatment for you, Dr. Green will use her expertise to determine a curated treatment plan. Depending on your current look, medical history, and aesthetic goals, Dr. Green can tailor treatment options that will give you a natural, revitalized look, helping to make you look and feel like your best self. With over two decades of cosmetic dermatology experience in NYC, Dr. Green is an expert in dermal fillers, cosmetic injectables, filler treatments, laser treatments, and the best skin rejuvenating procedures.
If you’re ready for a new solution to correct the appearance of deep lines and wrinkles, there’s finally a solution that can help. Contact us online today or call our New York doctor’s office at 212-535-3088 to learn more about whether RADIESSE® may be right for you.