Radiesse is an injectable filler product made up of calcium hydroxylapatite. It is used most commonly to treat moderate to severe facial wrinkles. It is also used to shape, soften, or augment the cheeks, chin and jawline. It can also be used to treat the back of the hands, reducing the appearance of prominent veins. Radiesse is unique among other dermal fillers as it works to stimulate natural collagen production and has long-lasting results. The effects of Radiesse can last approximately 18-24 months, which makes this product desirable to people who would rather limit their treatments. Radiesse will immediately add volume and over time it will stimulate the body’s own collagen production. Radiesse is injected through a small needle under the skin immediately providing results and diminishing signs of aging.
What Is Radiesse?
Dermal fillers can be categorized as natural or synthetic. Natural fillers such as Restylane and Juvéderm are hyaluronic acid-based and plump the skin by binding with water molecules. Radiesse is a synthetic filler that uses a two-pronged approach to plumping the skin and filling wrinkles. First, it uses calcium microspheres to add structure under the skin where collagen (the skin’s natural structural support) has dwindled. Second, it encourages the body to build new collagen around the injection areas to continue supporting the skin for up to one year.
Benefits of Radiesse Treatment
- Stimulates collagen production
- Reduces wrinkles and improves contours
- Long lasting results
- Popular treatment for hand rejuvenation
How Does A Radiesse Injection Session Go?
Dr. Motakis handles our Radiesse injections. We apply topical numbing cream prior to your injections, which takes 15 minutes or so to take effect. After that, your injections only take around 15 minutes. These are perfect lunchtime treatments, as they are short in duration, and you can go right back to work afterwards without any recovery or downtime.
Is Radiesse Approved By Health Canada And The U.S. FDA?
Radiesse has been approved by both Health Canada and the U.S. FDA in two separate approvals. The first approval came from Health Canada in November 2005 and by the U.S. FDA in January 2007 for treatment of facial wrinkles and folds. The second Radiesse approval was for use on returning volume to the backs of the hands. This approval came in June 2015 (FDA) and July 2015 (Health Canada).
What Facial Areas Can Radiesse Treat?
Radiesse restores lost volume in the lower face. Specifically, it is excellent for smile lines (the lines that run from the nose down to the corners of the mouth), marionette lines (the lines running downward from the corners of the mouth), pre-jowl folds, drooping corners of the mouth, and chin wrinkles.
How Does Radiesse Build Collagen And Improve My Lines And Creases?
Radiesse is different from most other fillers that are injected and simply “fill” in the space under a line or wrinkle. When Dr. Motakis injects Radiesse, there is some initial filling due to the hydrogel that carries the calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres but that is fleeting. The real results after Radiesse injections come from those (CaHA) microspheres. As the body absorbs the gel and metabolizes the CaHA microspheres, this reaction triggers the body to produce new collagen in the area. This increased collagen production makes for natural looking results that last for one year or longer.
What Can Radiesse Do For My Hands?
The backs of your hands can really show your age as collagen declines and your skin thins. This allows tendons and blood vessels to become more and more prominent.
Radiesse is the only dermal filler approved by Health Canada and the FDA to restore volume to the backs of the hands. It fills out the shrunken look that comes with aging hands, leaving a smooth, natural-looking result. Radiesse also minimizes the visibility of veins and tendons, another byproduct of volume loss. By providing instant volume, plus encouraging the production of new collagen (as described above), Radiesse makes your hands look remarkably younger with results that last up to a year.
How Long Will It Take To See My Results From Radiesse?
Radiesse is unique in that it has two levels of results. It provides instant volume where injected thanks to the aqueous gel that is used to suspend the calcium microspheres. But the main results come when the microspheres stimulate the body to produce new supplies of collagen in the injection areas. This collagen boost isn’t instant but starts in 7-10 days after injection and continues for many months. Our patients from across Toronto and surrounding areas love Radiesse because the results it delivers are created by the patient’s body rather than simply filling in the space where injected.
Is There Anything I Need To Do After My Radiesse Session?
There aren’t many restrictions after receiving Radiesse injections. For the first 24 hours after your session with Dr. Motakis you’ll need to refrain from rubbing or massaging the injection sites. You will also need to avoid intense heat, so no saunas, hot tubs, or extensive sun exposure for the first day, as well.
You’ll have some redness, along with possible bruising and slight swelling. But these issues typically resolve in a day or two.
Can I Exercise After Having Radiesse Injected?
As mentioned above, you need to avoid intense heat for a day after your Radiesse injections. That doesn’t mean you cannot exercise, but try and keep your body heat at a relatively normal level. It’s a good idea to tone down any exercise for one day.
What Are The Side Effects With Radiesse?
Health Canada and the FDA have approved Radiesse, as mentioned above. To gain these approvals, Merz North America had to prove the injectable was safe.
The typical side effects after injection of Radiesse include swelling, pain, itching, redness, and bruising at the injection sites. There is a slight risk of infection. If Radiesse is accidently placed into a blood vessel there is the potential for serious side effects, but this is exceedingly rare thanks to the board-certified training and experience of Dr. Motakis, who handles all our Radiesse injections.
Schedule A Radiesse Consult With Dr. Motakis!
To learn more about Radiesse Treatment or to determine whether the procedure is right for you, please schedule a one-on-one appointment with Ontario’s top plastic surgeon Dr. Dimitrios Motakis. Call (416) 925-5775 today or click here to send our talented team an Appointment Request Form. Our practice looks forward to serving you!
