La Mirada, CA

(562) 902-3000

Fillers

What is Radiesse?

Radiesse is an injectable filler material.

Fillers are used to replenish lost subcutaneous tissue to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and creases by providing a matrix into which the body can deposit new collagen tissue, thereby increasing the tissue’s fullness and tightness. For the first few months after injection Radiesse acts primarily as volume filler. After that the new collagen synthesis stimulated by Radiesse particles will increase new tissue development for extended results. Its effects usually last a year or more. One advantage of Radiesse is that it is synthetic; because it is not derived from human or animal tissue there is no risk of transmission of disease, nor is there any need for allergy testing.

Who is a good candidate for Radiesse injection?

Cosmetic applications of Radiesse include:

1. Nasolabial folds (smile lines)

Nasolabial folds are lines that run from the side of the nose to the corner of the mouth. These become deeper as we age and lose facial volume. They make the face look older, tired, or unhappy

2. Marionette lines

Marionette lines droop from the corner of the mouth and give the sad looking appearance of a down turned corner of the mouth. This together with the loss of volume in the mouth commissure area makes you look like you are sad or frowning.

3. Pre jowl area of jaw line

This is the area on either side of the chin. Hollowing of this area with aging process gives a sagging appearance to the cheeks.

1. Nose reshaping
2. Nasal bridge augmentation
3. Hand “plumping”
4. Chin augmentation
5. Cheek augmentation
6. Under eye hollows
7. Facial lipoatrophy.

A condition associated with heavy volume loss in the mid face.

Anybody who is concerned about unwanted volume loss, hollowness, creases and wrinkles should consider this filler.

What is the treatment process?

Radiesse injections are performed in the office. They usually take between twenty minutes to an hour depending on the extent of treatment. Radiesse is approved to be mixed with a local anesthetic, so there is no need anesthetic injections prior to the procedure. Radiesse is injected in the deeper skin areas, to plump up the overlying skin. The treatment only has minimal discomfort which disappears as the local anesthetic in the material takes effect.

After the treatment most patients will have mild swelling of the treated area for a day or two. This can be minimized by using ice compresses on the face Patients should avoid taking blood thinners for a week before treatment, if medically acceptable.

Most patients can return to their normal activity within 24 hours.

What are the risks of treatment?

Radiesse does not commonly cause any allergic reactions. Lumps under the skin sometimes occurs; these respond well to massaging and in-office touch up procedures. Bruising can occur; this usually subsides within a week.