Radiesse

What is Radiesse?

Radiesse is a recent arrival to the ever-growing range of injectable facial fillers now being used by cosmetic surgeons to smooth out wrinkles and round out aging faces. It was approved by the FDA in December of 2006. According to manufacturer BioForm Medical’s press release the product was approved for “…correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds such as nasolabial folds [smile lines]. Radiesse also received a second FDA approval for the long-lasting correction of facial fat loss (lipoatrophy) in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).”

The primary agent in Radiesse is calcium hydroxylapatite, a component of human bone. It is suspended in a gel to make it an injectable filler. Like some of its competitors, Radiesse is touted as a catalyst for causing the production of new collagen in the body. What is clear from both marketing materials and from medical usage is the fact that Radiesse is designed to repair more severe facial wrinkles and hollows than products like Botox can address.

The calcium hydroxylapatite used in Radiesse is produced synthetically, which according to BioForm Medical reduces the chances of an allergic reaction to the product. It is an existing component of the human body but not drawn from any organic source such as another person or an animal – thus lessening the likelihood of allergic reaction. No skin test for allergy is required, unlike some competing products. Contact us today to schedule your Newport Beach Radiesse appointment.

How Long Does it Really Last?

The relatively recent approval of Radiesse for soft tissue augmentation means that its longevity for that purpose hasn’t really been established. The manufacturer claims that it has longer staying power than competitive fillers, lasting three to five years. Cosmetic surgeons seem to feel that it may fall short of three years but that it is undoubtedly a longer lasting filler than any previously introduced products.

Are there Post Operative Problems?

Because it is a new facial filler there is not much of a record for problems due to extended use. Like all injectables and liposuction, it has shown the usual near-term reactions of swelling and soreness. A filler that actually lasts three to five years must show no tendency to move within the body - to stay in place maintain its shape, forming no lumps. It will have to show some attributes of a ‘permanent’ implant by becoming an accepted implant within the body and showing no tendency to cause capsules or swollen areas caused by physical rejection.

Is Radiesse based on Sound Medical Technology?

Radiesse is also an interesting alternative to its competitors because it is based on science that does not involve hyaluronic acid. It claims the same collagen reproduction capacity as Juvederm, Restylane and similar products but it achieves that goal through a different process of biological synthesis. One discussion of Radiesse mentions a method of removing excess collagen from areas that have been treated with Radiesse. That’s a scenario of a patient having too much of a good thing; nevertheless the use of calcium hydroxylapatite gel as a facial filler may be another advance in cosmetic surgery technology.

Schedule a Newport Beach Radiesse Treatment Appointment

Dr. Champion offers her patients the most current technology in cosmetic surgery available on the market today. Schedule an appointment to learn more about Orange County cosmetic surgery non-surgical procedures such as Radiesse from Dr. Angela Champion.

Related Non-Surgical Newport Beach Procedures:

Botox, Juvederm, Skin Care Products & Facial Fillers

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Procedure List

Breast Procedures

• Breast Augmentation & Implant
• Breast Lift
• Gynecomastia
• Breast Implant Removal
• Breast Reduction

Body Procedures

• Body Contouring
• Liposuction
• Tummy Tuck
• Scar Revision
• Thigh Lift
• Brachioplasty
• Neck Lift

Facial Procedures

• Facial Implants
• Ear Surgery
• Eyelid Surgery
• Facelift
• Brow Lift
• Lip Augmentation
• Nose Job Surgery

Non-Surgical Facial Rejuvenation

• Skin Care Products, & Facial Fillers