Radiesse™ is a new generation of injectable dermal filler and sculpting agent that was
introduced into Europe from the USA in 2004. Radiesse™ provides the patient with
immediate results and much longer lasting effects as compared with the traditional
hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers. The product has an extensive safety record and
validation through a number of multi-centre based trials.
Radiesse™ is man made, devoid of animal products, biocompatible, and is composed
of tiny synthetic calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres, suspended in a waterbased gel carrier. The 25-40 micron diameter microspheres, once injected, provide a
scaffold stimulating collagen production around the microspheres, and into which, the
body’s own tissue can grow, thereby maintaining the implant in situ.
RadiesseTM microspheres suspended in a
gel that can be injected into the dermis,
providing
an
initial
scaffold
and
volumisation with little migration.
RadiesseTM microspheres stimulate collagen
production
around
the
individual
microspheres, maintaining the implant in situ
and ensuring continued volumisation.
(Results
based
on
electronmicroscopy)
histology
and
Properties of Radiesse™:
Non-allergic (no pre-allergy test required)
Non-antigenic
Biocompatible
Easy to administer with appropriate training
Provide reproducible cosmetic results
Minimal migration post injection
Long-term effects
Excellent safety profile
Radiesse™ is safe and highly effective. It is one of the most commonly used dermal
fillers/sculpting agents to be used for facial restoration in the mid-face and soft tissue
augmentation (e.g. nasolabial folds) in the USA.
Radiesse™ is approved for use in facial restoration and augmentation both in Europe
and the United States. Importantly, CaHA has been shown over the last twenty years to
be a versatile material in a variety of surgical disciplines including laryngeal surgery,
orthopaedics and dentistry. Radiesse™ has been used extensively in patients, now
numbering over several hundred thousand. in addition, it is used routinely by over 5,000
trained physicians worldwide.
Radiesse™ can be used to treat moderate to severe lines or folds in a number of areas
including:
1. Glabella lines - wrinkles between the eyebrows
2. Nasolabial folds - lines between the outer nose and corner of the mouth
3. Marionette lines and infra-commissural lines
4. Radial lip lines - lines found above the upper lip and mouth corners
5. Chin and cheek augmentation
6. Depressed scars
7. Restoring bulk to ageing/hollowed tissue (mid-face volumiser)
8. Jaw-line (mandibular-mental) augmentation
8. Nasal augmentation (bridge, columella and nasal tip)
The general aspects of dermal filler treatments and aftercare are described in the
section on dermal fillers, and accordingly apply to treatments using Radiesse™.
Treatment requires local anesthetic injection and the procedure takes approximately
thirty minutes. Ice is applied afterwards to reduce swelling. Redness may be present for
two to three days after treatments. Bruising may occur particularly after lip injection and
pre-treatment with Arnica and Bromolein may be helpful. Patients who are currently
taking medication such as aspirin or aspirin-related products should discontinue
treatment one week before Radiesse therapy. After the procedure, some patients
resume normal activities immediately, although others prefer to wait for 24 hours, as
swelling or redness may occur at the site of the injection.
Depending on the area being treated, patients will usually see results that last from
between 1-2 years. Importantly, it should be noted that individual results may vary,
depending on a number of factors including age, lifestyle, muscle activity and skin type.