Radiesse

What is Radiesse Treatment?

Radiesse is an injectable biostimulatory filler used to restore volume, improve contour, and stimulate collagen production.

How Does It Work?

Radiesse contains calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres that provide immediate correction and encourage collagen production over time.

Unlike hyaluronic acid fillers, Radiesse cannot be dissolved with hyaluronidase. Product selection, placement, and treatment planning are especially important.

Pre-Treatment Instructions

Avoid blood-thinning medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and supplements such as fish oil or vitamin E as directed by your healthcare provider.
Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours before treatment to reduce bruising risk.
Tell your provider about all medications, supplements, allergies, medical conditions, recent procedures, and changes in your health.
Inform your provider if you have a history of severe allergies, anaphylaxis, bleeding disorders, autoimmune conditions, or poor wound healing.
Avoid treatment if you have active infection, rash, or inflammation near the treatment area.

What to Expect During Treatment

Treatment usually takes 30 to 60 minutes depending on areas treated.
You may feel pressure, pinching, or tenderness during injection.
Swelling, bruising, redness, tenderness, firmness, or temporary lumps may occur.
Results are visible immediately, with collagen stimulation developing gradually over time.
Your provider may massage or mold the area during treatment when appropriate.

Post-Treatment Care and Expectations

Mild swelling, bruising, tenderness, firmness, or asymmetry may occur and usually improves as the area settles.
Use cold compresses briefly if recommended by your provider.
Do not apply pressure to treated areas unless instructed.
The final result should be assessed after swelling has resolved.
Collagen stimulation develops gradually over time.

What to Avoid

Avoid strenuous exercise, alcohol, heat, saunas, and facial massage for at least 24 hours or as directed.
Avoid makeup over injection sites for the period recommended by your provider.
Avoid dental work, vaccines, or other procedures around treatment timing as advised.
Avoid pressing, rubbing, or manipulating the treated area unless instructed.
Avoid sleeping directly on treated areas the first night if possible.

Skin Care

Use gentle skincare and sunscreen after treatment.
Avoid retinoids, exfoliants, acids, and harsh products around injection sites for at least 24-48 hours or as directed.
Continue pharmaceutical-grade skincare once cleared by your provider.
Avoid facials, peels, lasers, or microneedling over treated areas until cleared.

Additional Recommendations

Apply Alastin In-Hance if recommended by your provider to help reduce bruising.
Hydrate well before and after treatment.
Schedule follow-up after swelling has settled to assess symmetry and results.
Inform other healthcare or aesthetic providers that you have Radiesse in treated areas, especially because it cannot be dissolved.

Integrative Therapy Options

A Haus Ritual Facial or Hydrafacial may be recommended after the injection sites have healed and your provider clears you.
LED Light Therapy may be recommended to reduce visible redness or support post-treatment calming.
IV Glutathione or Vitamin C may be discussed for antioxidant and wellness support when appropriate.
A personalized pharmaceutical-grade skincare plan may help support long-term skin quality and collagen goals.

Risks and Possible Side Effects

Bruising, swelling, redness, tenderness, firmness, lumps, asymmetry, or irregular contour.
Infection, inflammatory nodules, granulomas, prolonged swelling, or allergic-type reaction, rarely.
Vascular occlusion, tissue injury, skin breakdown, scarring, or vision complications, very rarely but serious.
Radiesse cannot be dissolved like hyaluronic acid filler.
Results vary and cannot be guaranteed.

When to Contact Your Provider

Severe or increasing pain, redness, warmth, or tenderness around injection sites.
Worsening swelling, persistent lumps, drainage, or signs of infection.
White, pale, dusky, or discolored skin near the treatment area.
Fever, chills, or unusual systemic symptoms.
Any questions, concerns, or unexpected reactions.

Seek Immediate or Emergency Care If

You experience sudden vision changes, vision loss, severe headache, dizziness, weakness, or neurologic symptoms.
You notice severe pain, skin blanching, mottling, discoloration, or symptoms concerning for vascular compromise.
You develop difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, chest pain, or severe allergic-type symptoms.

Follow-Up Care

Follow-up timing depends on treatment area and provider recommendation, often after swelling has settled.
Collagen stimulation continues gradually, and results may evolve over several months.
Maintenance treatments may be recommended depending on your goals, response, and treatment plan.
Discuss additional treatments, maintenance plans, or alternative options with your provider if needed.

FAQ

Q: Is Radiesse the same as hyaluronic acid filler?

A: No. Radiesse is a calcium-based biostimulatory filler. It provides volume and stimulates collagen, but it cannot be dissolved like hyaluronic acid filler.

Q: When will I see results?

A: Some correction is visible immediately, while collagen stimulation develops gradually over weeks to months.

Q: How long does Radiesse last?

A: Longevity varies by patient, area, product amount, and metabolism. Your provider will discuss expected duration and maintenance based on your plan.

Q: Can I combine Radiesse with other treatments?

A: Yes, it may be combined with other aesthetic treatments when appropriate, but treatment timing should be guided by your provider.

Summary

Radiesse can restore volume, improve contour, and stimulate collagen when performed for the right candidate with proper planning, realistic expectations, and appropriate follow-up care.

If you have any questions or concerns before or after your treatment, please contact our office.