These days, you don’t need surgery if you want to get a more youthful look. There are a number of injectables available that help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, usually within minutes, and without the long recovery needed after surgery. One popular injectable is Radiesse®, which can fill in lines and add volume to the face and to other areas of the body. Although the filler has been around for years, it’s likely that you have a number of questions about what it is, how it works, and if it’s right for you.
What’s in Radiesse®?
The main ingredient in Radiesse is calcium hydroxylapatite, a synthetic substance. In the filler, the calcium is in the form of microspheres, which are suspended in a smooth gel.
How and Where Does It Work?
Radiesse works in two ways. First, it immediately adds volume and lift to the area it is injected into. The instant volume helps smooth wrinkles and creases right away and can also add fullness to certain areas, such the cheeks and hands. Secondly, the injectable works to stimulate the production of collagen in the skin. Collagen helps provide structure and support to the skin. That means that once the original substance has worn off, the results, such as smoother skin, remain.
The filler is commonly injected in a number of areas on the face. It can help smooth smile lines and marionette lines, as well as chin wrinkles and jowl folds. Some people get injections to add volume to the cheeks or to restore the volume lost in that area due to fat loss. The filler also got FDA approval in 2015 for use in the hands.
How Is It Different from Other Injectables?
It’s not just the main ingredient in Radiesse, how it works, and where it works that makes it different from other injectables. Radiesse is considered a “semi-permanent” injectable, meaning it provides results that last longer than other fillers. Typically, semi-permanent fillers provide results that last at least 12 months. Another way that Radiesse is different from other options is that you might need less of it to get the same results. For example, people getting Radiesse needed 30 percent less of the product compared to people receiving a hyaluronic acid filler.
Is It Right for Me?
Whether you’re a good candidate for Radiesse or any other type of injectable filler depends on a few factors. First, you need to be in good health. Second, you need to be able to benefit from the treatment. If you’re concerned about creases near your nose or mouth or about a loss of volume from the cheek area, Radiesse might be right for you.
Speaking with a trained cosmetic doctor can help you determine which filler or injectable is best for you. Contact Dr. Charles L. Dietzek at the Vein & Vascular Institute to learn more today.