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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Radiesse for treating facial
wrinkles and folds around the nose and mouth. These include nasolabial folds (from
nose to mouth), marionette lines (from mouth to chin), and smile lines (the “parentheses
lines” on the cheeks).
Because of its effectiveness in augmenting the chin, cheeks, and other large facial
areas, Radiesse has received FDA approval for restoring and correcting signs of
facial lipoatrophy (loss of subcutaneous fat) in people with the human immunodeficiency
virus.
How does it work?
What is different about Radiesse is that in addition to adding lost volume to
age- and sun-damaged skin, it also appears to stimulate the body to produce new
collagen on its own. Radiesse’s manufacturer calls this process neocollagenesis.
The collagen forms around the tiny microspheres, giving the skin back its structure.
As the collagen builds up, the wrinkles overlying the treated area soften and smooth
out.
What is the treatment like?
Radiesse is placed under the skin with a series of short, quick injections—how
many will depend on the size of the area being treated. A local anesthetic will
be applied to minimize any discomfort.
Side effects (swelling, tenderness, itching, and discoloration) are few and, when
they do occur, tend to disappear within a couple of days. In rare cases, nodules
form. These generally require steroid treatment or surgery to remove them.
You can resume normal activities immediately after the treatment session, although
you should probably stay of out the sun for a few days.
How long do the treatments last?
Results are immediate, but they become fully evident within a week. Because Radiesse
stimulates the growth of new collagen, results often last a year or more. Eventually,
the microspheres degrade into calcium and phosphate ions, which are then naturally
metabolized (absorbed) by the body. How long the filler will last for you will depend
on several factors, including your age, skin type, and metabolic rate. Talk with
your physician about when you should schedule a second treatment.
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