What Is Radiesse?
Radiesse (formerly called Radiance and manufactured by Merz Aesthetics) is an injectable wrinkle treatment designed to fill in lines, wrinkles, and facial creases and stimulate natural collagen production to increase skin firmness and elasticity.
Radiesse consists of a gel matrix in which fine calcium microspheres are suspended. The gel matrix allows quick delivery of the treatment’s active ingredient, bringing almost immediate results and restoring a more youthful appearance to your skin.
Who Needs Radiesse?
Women who are beginning to notice a lack of skin firmness and a variety of wrinkles and facial folds, lines, and creases can benefit from Radiesse treatments. If you are experiencing any of the following problems, which can all be effectively treated with Radiesse, you should definitely consider taking advantage of these treatments:
Frown lines (creases in the middle of the forehead directly above the bridge of the nose)
Naso-labial folds (creases running from the sides of the nose down to the edges of the mouth)
Marionette lines (lines radiating from the edges of the mouth and down the sides of the chin)
Lipstick lines (vertical lines that appear in groups above or below the lips)
Parentheses lines (arced lines that appear on either side of the mouth)
Radiesse should never be used around the delicate, thin-skinned eye area. While highly experienced practitioners can sometimes achieve satisfactory results around the eyes, in most instances the potential for poor outcomes is far too great. Other injectable volumizing products are available which are much more appropriate for this use.
How Does Radiesse Work?
Radiesse functions as a dermal filler which plumps the skin to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Additionally, by actually stimulating collagen production, the treatment increases skin flexibility and firmness, restoring more youthful facial contours.
Unlike products such as Botox, Radiesse provides results that feel soft and natural and do not cause facial stiffness. Again, this is due to the production of natural collagen, which increases your skin’s flexibility while also reinforcing a healthy skin structure.
How Much Does Radiesse Cost?
The cost of Radiesse treatments varies based on location, as well as on the individual practitioner you choose to provide your treatments. Dermatologists and plastic surgeons have the most training in using injectable wrinkle treatments such as Radiesse and consequently tend to charge more for treatments than those practitioners with less training and expertise.
A good average for Radiesse treatments seems to be $1,000, though treatments can cost considerably more – or less – depending on the above factors. For your own safety and peace of mind, however, it would be advisable to seek treatment from a reputable practitioner who has been extensively trained in the safe and effective use of injectable wrinkle treatments. While the cost may be higher, the likelihood that you will avoid serious complications will be well worth the extra cost.
What Are the Side Effects of Radiesse?
Potential side effects of treatment with Radiesse are redness, bruising, swelling, or infection of the injection site. The first three side effects are fairly common though generally short-lived and usually quite mild. The last potential side effect is included here simply because of the possible risk of its occurring. However, thus far, no such infections have been reported.
How Long Do Radiesse Treatments Last?
In many people, treatments remain effective for a year or longer. Effectiveness windows do, however, vary based on the individual and the part of the face treated. A good rule of thumb would be six months to a year, based on treatment location. Treatments will not last as long on areas of the face that tend to move a great deal, such as the naso-labial folds, which become quite animated during speech or laughter or as a result of other facial expressions. These areas tend to retain the effectiveness of the treatment for approximately six to nine months. Areas such as the cheeks are less animated and therefore less likely to lose the effects of the treatment as quickly, with these areas often maintaining the treatment’s effects for a year or more.
The long-lasting effects of Radiesse injections are due to the stimulation of your skin’s own natural collagen production, which provides natural augmentation for the volumizing effects of the treatment’s active ingredient. While it would be impossible to speculate on how long a treatment might last in a given individual, the above estimates can serve as a guideline that can give you a general idea of what the norm would be.
Where Can I Find Further Information About Radiesse?
For further information about treatment with Radiesse, which can help you decide whether or not you are a good candidate for the treatment, visit the following page on the FDA website: A Patient’s Guide to Treatment with Radiesse.
Radiesse: A Wrinkle Treatment Worth Investigating
If you have moderate to severe wrinkles, you owe it to yourself to consider Radiesse injectable treatments, which can make you look and feel years younger by firming your skin and filling in the lines and creases that add years to your appearance.
