Radiesse: A unique dermal filler

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Radiesse is made from calcium hydroxyapatite. It is FDA approved for the treatment of facial lines and folds, such as nasolabial folds. Radiesse provides one of the best values among dermal filler options. This is because the syringes have 1.5cc of product and it can take as little as one third of the amount of material to get the same cosmetic correction as hyaluronic acid fillers. Radiesse, in my opinion, is a great filler for men and older women because it is stiffer and provides more structural lift than other fillers. It is truly a good “bang for your buck”.

Radiesse is typically injected into the nasolabial folds, the marionette fold (the fold that goes from the mouth corner to the jaw), the pre-jowl sulcus (where the chin meets the lateral jaw line), and along the jaw line to provide lift and definition. In this area, it works well with thermal tightening devices to improve sagging jaw lines. It is very effective to augment cheeks, but should never be injected into the lips. The stiffness of this product makes it a poor choice for lip enhancement. Nodules are very common if it is injected into this area. Radiesse can also be used to smooth out any bumps on the nose non-surgically.

Finally, Radiesse is a superior filler to plump up the backs of aging hands, so the veins and tendons are not so noticeable. Radiesse, when combined with laser to fade brown spots, can easily take 10 years off the perceived age of the hands. Radiesse is not able to be dissolved, so it is important that the injector be experienced with this filler and understand the proper depth for injection as well as the proper injection technique. Dr Lupo mixes anesthetic with this filler to provide greater comfort to her patients.