What Is Radiesse?
Radiesse is a unique biostimulatory filler with a dual-action mechanism that offers both an immediate filling effect and longer-term volumizing, which happens because of increased collagen production, typically 3-8 weeks post-injection. Radiese injections are ideal for treating moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds, and for restoring volume in areas like the cheeks, jawline, and hands.
The active ingredient in Radiesse filler is calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHa), a microsphere suspended in a water-based gel. Both CaHa and the gel suspension are fully biocompatible, meaning they do not harm living tissues and can be safely absorbed by your body.
When first injected, the gel suspension creates an instant volumizing effect to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and folds. Over the coming weeks, the calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres create a structural scaffolding for new tissue growth.
By the time the gel carrier begins to break down, usually 4-12 weeks post-treatment, the CaHa microspheres have stimulated collagen production to create long-lasting enhancements to skin structure and firmness.
At FACE, we love Radiesse so much because it combines the immediate filling effect of traditional dermal fillers with the collagen-stimulating impact of biostimulatory fillers like Sculptra in a single product.
Radiesse Benefits
Immediate & Long-lasting: Radiesse provides an instant filling effect while stimulating collagen production to create long-term volume.
Result Longevity: The volumizing effects typically last 12 to 18 months, longer than many hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers.
Radiesse vs. Sculptra: While Sculptra works gradually, Radiesse provides both immediate aesthetic improvements and long-term collagen growth. Unlike Sculptra, which requires intensive post-injection self-massage, Radiesse does not require significant aftercare.
Safe & Biocompatible: Radiesse integrates well with the body's tissues, reducing the risk of adverse reactions. Its active ingredient, calcium hydroxylapatite, breaks down into calcium and phosphate ions, which are easily metabolized by the body.
Product Versatility: Radiesse is FDA-approved for moderate to severe facial wrinkles and for use in the back of the hands, making it the best biostimulatory filler for both face and body.
Skin Care Products
Radiesse Cost
The number of syringes and sessions needed will depend on your facial volume, skin health, and treatment goals. As a general rule, you will need one syringe per treatment area over 2-3 treatment sessions. See below for the cost of Radiesse per syringe with discounts for multiple syringes purchased at the same time.
RADIESSE ABOUT
RADIESSE COST
RADIESSE BEFORE & AFTER
RADIESSE CANDIDACY & PREP
RADIESSE FAQ
RADIESSE AFTERCARE
Radiesse Before & After Results Coming Soon
Discover the transformative power of Radiesse treatments in these before and after images, showcasing immediate volume restoration and long-term collagen stimulation for gorgeous, natural-looking results.
RADIESSE ABOUT
RADIESSE COST
RADIESSE BEFORE & AFTER
RADIESSE CANDIDACY & PREP
RADIESSE FAQ
RADIESSE AFTERCARE
Radiesse Candidacy & Prep
Contraindications
The most common contraindications to Radiesse are:
Bleeding disorder.
Chemotherapy/radiation in the last year.
Immunosuppressive therapy.
Serious illness.
History of keloid or hypertrophic scarring.
Previous threads in the treatment area.
Previous surgery in the treatment area.
Known allergy or hypersensitivity to the dermal filler medication.
Known allergy or hypersensitivity to the anesthetic, i.e. lidocaine contained within the medication, applied topically, or injected.
Active infection near the site of injection.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or trying to get pregnant.
Under the age of 22 years.
Preparation Details
To best prepare for success with Radiesse, follow the steps below before your appointment.
Avoid other types of dermal fillers in the same treatment six weeks before and after the treatment.
For one week before your appointment, avoid blood thinners & dehydrating substances like caffeine, alcohol, St. John’s Wart, Ginko Biloba, primrose oil, fish oil, vitamin E, aspirin, ibuprofen or similar products (Advil, Motrin, Aleve). They can cause bruising, bumps, more visible pinpoint marks, and lack of volume. Follow your healthcare provider's recommendations if you are on blood thinning medications.
For 1 week before & 1 week after your Radiesse appointment, avoid tretinoin, retinal, retinoids, glycolic acid, peels, and skin-sensitizing products.
Remove all makeup in the treatment areas before your appointment.
For 72 hours before and 72 hours after your appointment, avoid highly processed foods, as they greatly dehydrate the body. Instead, eat spinach, kale, and celery the week before to boost your Vitamin K levels.
24 hours before your filler appointment, take arnica montana tablets to help with swelling and bruising. You can also take arnica as needed afterward.
24 hours before your appointment, take an anti-inflammatory like Tylenol™ to help with swelling and bruising.
Avoid flying or saunas for 24 hours before and after your appointment, as they can dehydrate the body.
Avoid rigorous workouts for 24 hours before and after your appointments. Freshly placed fillers need time to set, so it is key to avoid vigorous movement and drink lots of water for the first 24 hours after your appointment.
1 hour before your appointment, consider taking (2) Extra-Strength Tylenol™, which may help ease injection discomfort (avoid ASA, Advil, or Motrin).
Arrive at your appointment with a clean face (or other treatment area), free of products or cosmetics.
By following these guidelines and preparing adequately, patients can optimize their experience and results with Radiesse injections.
Radiesse FAQ
How does Radiesse work?
Radiesse is a dual-action biostimulatory filler made of calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHa) microspheres suspended in a gel carrier. When you receive a Radiesse treatment, your provider injects the filler into your dermal and subcutaneous tissue using a fine needle.
With Radiesse, the mechanism of action is two-fold. When first injected, the gel carrier acts as an immediate filler to combat volume loss. Then, over time, the CaHa microspheres create a scaffolding that promotes and supports the formation of new tissue in the area it is placed. When injected into the face, the CaHa in Radiesse naturally stimulates the production of collagen to improve skin elasticity, firmness, and volume as the gel carrier breaks down.
Unlike hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers, Radiesse stimulates collagen growth for extremely natural-looking and long-lasting results. And unlike Sculptra, Radiesse provides an instant filling effect—in other words, Radiesse offers the best of traditional fillers and biostimulators in a single product.
What are the benefits of Radiesse?
As a biostimulatory facial implant, Radiesse works well to rejuvenate the face, treat volume loss, improve contours, and tighten the skin. Here are some additional Radiesse benefits:
Product versatility: Because it effectively rejuvenates the face, replaces lost volume, balances contours, and helps firm and tighten the skin, Radiesse is a comprehensive solution for a range of aesthetic goals.
Collagen stimulation: Radiesse’s unique composition includes calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres, which act as a scaffold for new collagen production and promote long-term skin health and rejuvenation.
Natural-looking results: Radiesse integrates seamlessly with the body’s tissues, stimulating the production of fresh collagen to provide enhancements that look natural rather than overdone.
Minimal downtime: The treatment is quick, with minimal recovery time and simple aftercare, so you can return to your regular daily activities immediately after your appointment
No massage aftercare: Unlike Sculptra, which requires substantial post-injection massage, Radiesse aftercare is similar to traditional hyaluronic acid fillers, which do not require massage.
Highly personalized: Your injections will be precisely customized to meet your personal goals and work synergistically with your facial structure and skin health.
How long does Radiesse last?
In most clinical trials, Radiesse lasts between 12 and 18 months, though studies have reported longevity as high as 24 months and as low as 6 months. These variations are likely due to the subjective criteria used to determine the life of the product.
Can Radiesse be dissolved?
Unlike hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers, which can be dissolved with the enzyme hyaluronidase, biostimulatory fillers like Radiesse and Sculptra cannot be dissolved by enzymes.
Some clinical studies suggest that sodium thiosulfate (STS) may be used to reverse or soften Radiesse, though the mechanism of action is not fully understood. In addition, STS injections require significant expertise and can introduce additional risks, such as hemorrhage and tissue death.
Is Radiesse safe?
While all injections carry some level of risk, Radiesse is generally considered safe when administered by a qualified medical professional. Common temporary side effects include redness, bruising, tenderness, and swelling, which typically resolve within one to two weeks of treatment.
What are the possible Radiesse side effects?
As with all injectables, Radiesse has some associated risks, like infection, as well as some side effects. The most common side effects of Radiesse treatment are not serious and typically resolve within a few days of the treatment. These include redness, swelling, bruising, injection site pain and tenderness, itching, numbness, and skin discoloration.
Radiesse injections can sometimes lead to the formation of lumps and bumps, known as nodules, which often appear as palpable masses under the skin. These nodules can persist for several months and, in some cases, require medical intervention if they do not resolve on their own.
Radiesse can also cause the following rare but serious side effects:
Granulomas: These localized nodules can form under the skin in the days, weeks, or months following injection and may require medical attention.
Allergic reactions: Although uncommon, some individuals may experience allergic reactions to the filler.
Vascular occlusion: When inadvertently injected into a blood vessel, Radiesse can cause a potentially serious complication called a vascular occlusion, which can lead to severe complications such as skin necrosis, vision impairment, or stroke.
What is the cost of Radiesse filler?
At FACE, a syringe of Radiesse costs $900, with discounts for multiple syringes used in a single session or purchased as part of a package. For complete pricing info, please see the Radiesse cost section of this page.
How much Radiesse do I need?
As a general rule, each area requires at least 1 syringe of Radiesse—or 1.5 mL of product—over the course of 2 or 3 treatment sessions. The amount of product needed can differ significantly depending on the number of areas treated, the age and health of your skin, and your desired look.
Multiple vials are typically necessary for optimal outcomes since Radiesse works gradually and is usually administered over a number of sessions.
Below is a guide for the number of syringes needed per session for each treatment area:
Smile lines (nasolabial folds): 1 - 2 syringes
Marionette lines: 1 - 3 syringes
Corners of the mouth: 1 - 3 syringes
Pre-jowl fold: 1 - 3 syringes
Chin wrinkles: 1 - 2 syringes
How many Radiesse treatments do I need to do?
While the guidance differs depending on individual needs and desires, many patients require 2 to 3 treatment sessions, with 4 weeks between sessions, to achieve the desired results. Following the final treatment in a course, it is recommended that you wait even longer to give your body all the time it needs for the collagen regeneration process.
How often do I need to get Radiesse to maintain results?
Once you and your provider have achieved the natural-looking results you desire with an initial series of treatments, follow-up sessions are recommended every 12 to 18 months, depending on your individual needs and goals.
When will I start to see results?
Typically, you will start to see small differences 4-6 weeks following your initial treatment. However, because the Radiesse journey unfolds gradually across 3 or more treatment sessions, the full effects will not be visible until 6 months following your final treatment session. One of the reasons we love the Radiesse look so much is its incredibly natural and gradual impact.
Directly following your treatment, your face may look fuller and more volumized. Because this effect is due to swelling and the water used to dilute the Radiesse, it will dissipate over the few days following your treatment.
What can I do to maximize results?
Here is what to do to get the most out of your Radiesse results:
Protect your skin from the sun with a high-SPF facial sunscreen.
Use hats and sunglasses to further shield your skin from UV damage.
Drink a half gallon or more of water for 2 days before and after your appointment.
Limit free radical environmental damage by including gentle cleansers and topical antioxidants in your skincare routine.
To ensure your body stays hydrated, avoid air travel and saunas for 24 hours before your appointment.
Steer clear of intense physical activity for 24 hours before and after your appointment, since your newly placed fillers need time to settle properly
Avoid tanning beds, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption.
Eat a healthy, balanced diet rich in vitamins and antioxidants.
Radiesse Aftercare
RADIESSE HEALING
Following treatment, most patients experience some tenderness, redness, and swelling, which may last several hours to 2-4 days. Icing the treatment area can reduce swelling and discomfort. Occasionally, you might notice a bruise that could be visible for a few days.
For the day following your treatment, you can minimize bruising and swelling by avoiding activities that boost circulation, such as exercise, heat, and alcohol consumption.
Remember that it is normal to experience minor and temporary effects of treatment following your injection appointment so you can plan your post-appointment activities accordingly.
Download Radiesse Aftercare Card
Must Do:
Keep the treatment area clean for 24 hours.
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water for 48 hours before
and after treatment.
Avoid:
Applying makeup or products to the treatment area for at least 12 hours.
Engaging in strenuous activity for 24 hours.
Consuming alcohol and avoiding extensive sun exposure or heat for 24 hours.
Sleeping on the treated area for 72 hours.
Highly processed foods 72 hours before and after the appointment.
Tretinoin, retinol, retinoids, glycolic acid, peels, or skin-sensitizing products for one week.
Remember:
Contact the office immediately with any questions or concerns.
Optional: Use cold compresses and take Arnica Montana and Bromelain as required to reduce swelling and bruising.