Radiesse™
Overview | FAQ | Photo Gallery
- How often do I need to perform my fillers?
- What happens if I don’t like the effect of the filling?
- What happens if I don’t like the effects of the filling agent after the filler has set in and is no longer moldable?
- Do I lose sensitivity following injection?
- Can I stack the fillers (use both for the same area, i.e. wrinkle)?
- Can I get any permanent correction using fillers?
- Is there a limit to the amount of filler (number of syringes) that I can use?
How often do I need to perform my fillers?
The duration of fillers is dependent on the medium used to fill the wrinkle, fold, contour defect, or deflated lip and/or cheek. The most effective and safe fillers on the market currently are Radiesse and Restylane/Juvederm. The Radiesse product is made of coral material found on the ocean floor. The coral is modified to mimic bone like substance. As such it lasts longer than traditional filler materials, and is excellent for the cheeks, between the eyebrows (glabella), chin, and laugh lines (nasolabial folds and marionette lines) which are overlying bony prominences. Radiesse will last approximately one year. Restylane and Juvederm are both a matrix that is made to mimic a naturally occuring protein that preserves space between cells acting much like a sponge or cushion. As such, Restylane and Juvederm are ideal for filling of areas that are meant to be soft such as the lips. Restylane and Juvederm last approximately one year.
What happens if I don’t like the effect of the filling?
For Juvederm and/or Restylane the patient has up to three days to mold the substance if the effects are not desirable. For Radiesse which is a firmer filler, there is a 24 hour period of moldabiltiy. It is prudent for the patient to be seen by their physician within these time periods so that any molding of the substances can be achieved to correct for asymmetry and/or udesired overfilling.
What happens if I don’t like the effects of the filling agent after the filler has set in and is no longer moldable?
First, Restylane/Juvederm and Radiess fillers have a lifespan and will absorb if you are patient. The lifespan for Restylane/Juvederm and Radiesse are 6 months and one year respectively. Second, steroid injections locally can be performed to reabsorb any areas of undesired prominence. Patients will observe reabsorption of areas injected 2 to 4 weeks following injection. Of note, areas around the eye are not safe to be injected with steroids.
Do I lose sensitivity following injection?
Patients may observe transient numbness following injection with fillers but this is caused by localized swelling and will subside over a few weeks. Rarely, a sensory nerve may be injured by the needle used to transfer the filler. A nerve injured in this fashion will regrow and return sensation within a few months.
Can I stack the fillers (use both for the same area, i.e. wrinkle)?
It is possible to stack fillers in an attempt to correct deeper wrinkles. When performing stacking techniques, the Radiesse filler, which is firmer, is injected into the deeper plane and the Restylane/Juvederm filler is injected into the more superficial plane. The Radiesse in essence acts like a scaffolding for the Restylane/Juvederm filler. This technique allows for correction of stubborn wrinkles or deeper wrinkles.
Can I get any permanent correction using fillers?
It has been observed that in patients who have undergone four or more sessions using fillers, that some permanent correction may occur. This is because each time a filler is injected, some scar tissue is layed down by the body secondary to the irritation of the area injected. This scar tissue is actually beneficial in that it is typically smooth and provides for permanent correction of the treated area.
Is there a limit to the amount of filler (number of syringes) that I can use?
There is not limit to the number of filler syringes that a patient may use. However, due to the cost of the syringes, patients are advised to consider fat grafting as another option if they will require more than four syringes for correction of a deformity/wrinkle. Since the fat is obtained from the patient’s body, the filler material is unlimited and thus the patient must only pay for the surgical fee and not the filler material.
