RADIESSE®

RADIESSE® is a well-known brand of dermal filler – an injectable, anti-ageing treatment that is designed to add volume to the skin and collagen synthesis. Calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHA, Radiesse® Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Frankfurt, Germany) is a biostimulatory filler that provides immediate soft tissue augmentation and stimulates collagen production over time.

While many other fillers are based on hyaluronic acid formulations, the functional component of RADIESSE® is Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA) (30%), an ingredient that has been safely used in the human body for over 25 years. The product has been used in the USA since 2000, in Europe since 2004.

RADIESSE® is formulated for correcting lost volume and is also suitable for facial shaping/contouring. Radiesse can be considered an effective soft-tissue filler for overall longevity, biocompatibility, and low rate of side effects.

Radiesse is known to be one of the longest-lasting fillers, while others are made for more mild ageing skin concerns. Radiesse is more effective at targeting severe volume loss and wrinkles.

CaHA is biodegradable, following the same metabolic pathway as bone debris resulting from common bone fractures. After 2–3 months, the carboxymethylcellulose is resorbed and replaced by collagen. The CaHA microspheres present in Radiesse have the same chemical composition as the inorganic constituent of teeth and bone and exhibit an extensive safety profile. As a bioceramic, CaHA is native to the body with no antigenicity.

When injected as small microspheres, CaHA acts as a scaffold that promotes new tissue formation similar to its surrounding environment. Inside soft tissues such as the dermis, deposited particles support fibroblastic ingrowth and new collagen formation without calcification. In other words, the properties of CaHA mimic the environment into which it is placed.

How RADIESSE® works

RADIESSE® is a gel carrier containing synthetic Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres, composed of calcium and phosphate ions, which occur naturally in human tissue. The smooth and spherical Calcium Hydroxylapatite particles form a structure within the skin, which new collagen cells grow between. The gel carrier dissolves within a few months. The CaHA particles gradually break down and are completely metabolised by the body, leaving only the new collagen structure.

RADIESSE® stimulates your body’s natural collagen, filling in wrinkles long term and helping your skin develop new collagen in the process.

Depending on the treatment, needles or a cannula are used. A cannula allows the practitioner to deliver the filler with fewer entry points and distribute it smoothly within the skin.

RADIESSE® Treatments

RADIESSE® is a good choice for a range of treatments requiring structure and volume, including:

Nose to mouth lines (nasolabial folds)
Smile lines/marionette lines
Lines around the mouth
Scars, acne scarring
Hollow cheeks
Non-surgical rhinoplasty, – to improve the shape and correct humps/dips
Jawline/chin augmentation: Improving the profile and contours of this area
Hands: To reduce the appearance of veins and bones in aged hands

What to expect

Treatment last typically around half an hour, although this does vary depending on the area and extent of treatment. Topical cream or local anaesthetic may be used depending on the area treated & personal preference.
Results last approximately 2 years – much longer than may be expected from standard hyaluronic acid-based fillers.

The results

One of the perks of Radiesse is it doesn’t take long at all to see the results. You will likely start seeing an improvement in your skin’s volume on the day of your procedure. Full results will generally be visible about one week after your treatment. It is possible that your results will get better with time, up to as long as six months, as your body metabolizes the filler gel. Results last 18 to 24 months, so make sure to schedule a maintenance appointment according to how your body reacts to the filler over time.

Potential side effects of Radiesse include temporary bruising, swelling, redness, itch and discomfort from the injection, allergic reaction, infection, and lumps or nodules, as well as an undesirable cosmetic outcome. Other serious and rare side effects are possible.

Review OTC medications and supplements with your practitioner before treatment to minimize the risk of bruising and other side effects. If the swelling does occur, it should go down in no more than 72 hours.

Cost

It’s hard to estimate the cost of Radiesse treatment until you complete your first consultation since the dosage and full treatment varies from patient to patient. The cost depends on the treatment area and amount of filler needed

The syringes cost starts from £400 each.