Radiesse®, once known as Radiance, is a synthetic dermal filler used for soft tissue augmentation in the United States, Europe and Canada. Though used in different types of procedures, Radiesse® is primarily known for its cosmetic purposes. These cosmetic purposes include wrinkle treatment and correction of nasolabial folds.
An injectable filler, Radiesse® is made of calcium hydroxyapatite and can be mixed with lidocaine to reduce pain. Radiesse® is administered with topical or local anesthetic and injected deep into the dermis. The procedure is not very painful, and after it has been injected, Radiesse® provides for an environment that stimulates and allows the body to produce natural collagen, a protein that keeps skin appearing young.
Though humans do produce collagen naturally, the protein breaks down with age. This lessens the flexibility and strength of aging skin, which in turn causes wrinkles. Radiesse® treatment restores volume, making it ideal for the treatment of facial wrinkles and skin folds. In addition, it also is used to correct the loss of facial fat in people who have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in a procedure called lipoatrophy.
Calcium hydroxyapatite, the material found in Radiesse®, is similar to bone. Before being used for cosmetic purposes in paste form, calcium hydroxyapatite was used in solid form to correct bone defects and other malformations that involved moving soft tissues. In addition, it also has been used to repair paralyzed vocal cords and to treat incontinence.
As with any medical procedures, complications can occur with every Radiesse® treatment. The extent and length of these complications vary. They include bruising, redness, swelling, infection, allergic reactions and scarring. Nodules also might form; generally, nodules have been reported if Radiesse® is injected into the lips.
Radiesse® is not a permanent solution, but the treatment is a procedure that can be used more than once. Though individual results might differ, the effects of this treatment can last a year or more. The longevity of the treatment depends on the individual’s unique circumstances. Age and skin type, as well as lifestyle, affect how well the patient responds to the treatment and the amount of time the effects last.
The cost of treatment can vary as well, depending on the procedure and the amount of filler used. Generally, costs can range from hundreds to thousands of US Dollars. Radiesse® treatment has received a good amount of approval from patients and physicians alike.