What is Radiesse?

Radiesse is a dermal filler composed of calcium hydroxylapatite which is a substance compatible with living systems that dissolves in the human body and is identical in composition to the mineral portion of teeth and bone.

What is Radiesse used for?

RADIESSE dermal filler is used to fill moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds—the creases that extend from the corner of your nose to the corner of your mouth. This treatment is non-surgical.

How does Radiesse work?

RADIESSE is a dermal filler that is injected by Dr. Sian and it immediately adds fullness to your face giving you a visible result at the first treatment session. RADIESSE dermal filler contains microspheres made of a natural material called calcium hydroxylapatite in a water based gel carrier.

How long will the effects of the Radiesse treatment last?

Although treatment effects will differ for each person, in a clinical study, RADIESSE dermal filler lasted up to 6 months according to independent doctors in a blinded test. The people in this study were followed after the clinical study and the unblinded treating doctor rated some people still improved up to two years from RADIESSE dermal filler treatment.

Do Radiesse injections hurt?

Dr. Sian will numb the access point with local anesthesia prior to the insertion of the cannula (needle with a blunt tip). You will feel a small needle stick during the numbing process but once that is done, you will no longer feel any sharp needlesticks thereafter.

Dr. Sian employs the “Cannula Technique” when injecting Radiesse®. The advantages of this technique include the following:

1. Fewer Injections. Multiple areas on the same side of the face can be treated with as few as a single access point. The fewer the injections, the less pain. In addition, there are also few bleeding points. You no longer feel like a pin cushion during your treatment. Dr. Sian is usually able to treat multiple areas through a single injection point on each side of the face.
2. Less Bruising. A blunt cannula is used with this technique instead of a needle. This allows Dr. Sian to add volume to the face with Radiesse® while minimizing injury to structures such as blood vessels and nerves.
3. Fewer Serious Complications. Although rare, inadvertent injections into blood vessels during treatment with fillers using needles can lead to occlusion of blood vessels which can potentially have catastrophic results. With the use of blunt tip cannulas, this is much less likely to happen since blood vessels and nerves are merely pushed away and not punctured by the cannula.

Are skin tests needed prior to treatment with Radiesse?

No skin testing is required prior to use.

What should I do in preparation for treatment with Radiesse?

You should tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking, even over the counter medicines or treatments. If you are taking blood thinners or medications that may interfere with clotting of the blood, such as aspirin, you might be more likely to have bruising or bleeding at the injection site. There have been no studies of possible interactions between RADIESSE dermal filler and drugs or other substances/ implants.

What are the possible side effects of Radiesse treatment?

The most common side effects are redness, bruising, or swelling. These side effects generally last for a short time and are mild in nature. As with all procedures that involve an injection through the skin, there is a risk of infection, however, no infections have been reported in the clinical study of RADIESSE dermal filler. Report any side effects you may experience to your doctor.

What can I expect after the treatment with Radiesse?

Immediately following a treatment session with RADIESSE dermal filler redness, bruising or swelling may occur in the treatment area. These signs usually go away in a short period and are generally mild in nature. An ice pack may be applied to the treatment area to help reduce swelling. After you leave the office, you may experience redness, bruising or swelling for a few days. Not all patients experience these, but please note that such effects can occur and are not out of the ordinary for this treatment.

You may be able to feel the area where RADIESSE dermal filler was injected for some period after injection. Over time, the injected area will feel more and more like your own tissue.

How quickly can I get back to my daily activites after treatment with Radiesse?

Most patients feel comfortable going back to their normal activities immediately after treatment with RADIESSE dermal filler.

How many treatments are needed with Radiesse?

You should be able to see a difference after the first treatment. However, people present with varying degrees of facial aging and the amount of Radiesse needed or the number of treatment sessions required may vary. Dr. Sian will decide with you the number of treatment sessions and the amount of RADIESSE dermal filler you will need at each treatment session. A touch-up may be required to achieve optimal results.

Injections with Radiesse are performed by Dr. Sian himself, not by nurses or physician assistants.

If you would like to try Radiesse, please call 559 797-0501 to schedule an appointment.