Radiesse Overview
Radiesse® is a safe, next-generation filler that lasts up to one year and longer. It safely fills and corrects smile lines, nasolabial folds, and wrinkles around the nose and mouth. Radiesse® can also be used for lip injections.
Radiesse® is made of very small, smooth calcium hydroxylapitite (CaHA) microspheres suspended in a water-based gel carrier. As Radiesse® is injected, the gel and Radiesse® microspheres form a “scaffold,” stimulating collagen production and encouraging tissue growth in and around the injection area. Over time, your body absorbs the gel carrier while collagen starts to grow and infiltrate the area, replacing the gel with your tissue. The Radiesse® microspheres continue to provide support and structure to encourage new tissue and collagen production until they are safely absorbed into your body. This “partnership” between Radiesse® and your own body creates a natural look, comprised of your own tissue and the Radiesse® microspheres working together.
In this way, Radiesse® does more than just temporarily fill in facial lines and wrinkles. While a variety of spas and clinics can administer Radiesse® injectable treatments, they are best applied by experienced plastic surgery professionals. These doctors understand both facial anatomy and how to contour facial tissue for maximally aesthetic, natural-looking results. Dr. Michel Siegel has worked exclusively in facial plastic surgery, giving him an impressive depth of experience in this area. He is proud to offer Radiesse® injections at his Houston cosmetic surgery office.
The Radiesse® Process
Consultation
If you’d like to have Houston Radiesse® injections, you’ll need to meet with Dr. Siegel for an initial consultation. This appointment is an opportunity to describe the areas you’d like to enhance and ask any questions you might have. Based on your conversation, Dr. Siegel will draw up a Radiesse® injection treatment plan to best suit your needs. He may also generate a three-dimensional “before and after” image, helping you better understand your potential results. Dr. Siegel will meet with you for as long as you need to feel comfortable, confident, and ready to proceed with Radiesse®. There is no time limit on this appointment.
Preparation
Since Radiesse® is a minimally invasive dermal filler, preparation for this treatment is also minimal. You may need to avoid certain medications for approximately a week before your appointment, like with any surgical procedure. On the day of your treatment, you should come to your appointment with a clean face, with no make-up on. Dr. Siegel will likely give you additional guidelines specific to your treatment to follow as needed, so that you are entirely prepared for your injections.
Procedure
On the day of your Radiesse® treatment, you’ll come to our Houston cosmetic surgery office. Dr. Siegel may use a numbing ointment on your injection sites, which virtually eliminates any discomfort during your treatment session. He will then insert a Radiesse® injectable implant into each treatment site. Dr. Siegel injects tiny amounts of Radiesse® using an ultra-fine needle for minimal discomfort and maximum precision. This process typically takes no more than 15 minutes.
Recovery
The majority of patients show no visible signs of treatment after completion, and only a small percentage of patients experience any minor side effects at the treatment sites, such as slight inflammation, redness, discomfort, itching, tenderness, and discoloration, but these typically subside within several days. You should be able to return to work directly after your appointment. Most patients see results from Radiesse® immediately. Your appearance may continue to improve for several weeks after the treatment, and Radiesse® results often last a year or longer. We typically recommend scheduling a follow-up treatment about a year after the initial injection.
Radiesse FAQ's
Radiesse® is ideal for the treatment of lines and wrinkles around the nose and mouth. These lines are typically above the mouth, running from the nose to the corners of the upper lip (called nasolabial folds) or pointing down from the corner of the mouth toward the chin (often referred to as “marionette lines”). Radiesse® is also FDA approved for restoration and/or correction of the signs of facial fat loss (lipoatrophy) in people with human immunodeficiency virus. Radiesse® is often especially effective for cosmetic imperfections that require substantial added volume to correct. Dr. Siegel will discuss the appropriate applications of Radiesse® for your face at your initial consultation.
Yes. Your body will absorb both the calcium hydroxylapitite (CaHA) microspheres and the water-based gel carrier that make up Radiesse® over time, and the injections often last over a year before completely dissolving. How quickly and completely Radiesse® fades away will depend on your particular skin, the amount injected, the injection site, and a variety of other factors specific to each patient. Dr. Siegel can give you more information about what to expect at your first appointment.
It’s possible that Radiesse® will cause the treatment areas to become inflamed or bruised after injection, but this usually lasts only a few days, if it occurs at all. In addition, working with an experienced facial plastic surgeon like Dr. Siegel reduces your risk for these side effects. You can help avoid and alleviate these symptoms by icing your injection site, but your risk for swelling or bruising will depend on your unique circumstances and factors. Dr. Siegel will give you more personalized guidance regarding your healing at your consultation.