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About Radiesse
Radiesse is an injectable filler used to plump wrinkled or folded areas of the skin, most often on the face. As it works, Radiesse stimulates the naturally occurring collagen beneath your skin. For most of our Buckhead and Alpharetta clients, it works immediately and can last for up to two years.
Radiesse is also highly versatile. There are two specific areas of treatment that have been approved for this filler, the back of the hands and the cheeks to correct nasolabial folds. However, for some of our Buckhead and Alpharetta clients, we use Radiesse around the mouth and lips, and even to correct lip lines. This filler may also be used on chin wrinkles.
While Radiesse treatments are most often given in the skin surrounding the nose and mouth, some of our Buckhead and Alpharetta clients choose this treatment to fill in wrinkled areas in their hands. Whether from sun exposure or simply because the skin of your hands lost volume early, thin skin on the back of the hands can make you seem older than you are. By increasing skin volume in this area, you can achieve a more complete youthful image.
Injections are administered under the skin with a tiny needle. The ingredients in Radiesse are nontoxic, nonallergenic, and compatible with your body’s natural tissues.
Ideal Buckhead and Alpharetta candidates for Radiesse treatments are adults between the ages of 35 and 60 who have developed folds and wrinkles around their mouth and nose and/or in their hands.
Benefits of Radiesse
There are many benefits of Radiesse, making it an excellent treatment for our Buckhead and Alpharetta clients in the reversal of the effects of aging.
- Radiesse stimulates natural collagen growth.
- Radiesse can fill in fine lines, wrinkles, and acne scars.
- Radiesse can be molded to recontour your cheeks, jaw line, and nose.
- The calcium-based microspheres and gel that Radiesse is comprised of provide immediate results.
- The results are long-lasting, often lasting one year or more in most of our Buckhead and Alpharetta clients.
- The natural composition of Radiesse means allergy testing is not required because the risk of an allergic reaction is extremely rare.
- Radiesse may be mixed with lidocaine to minimize any discomfort experienced during the injection process.
- The entire Radiesse treatment process normally takes between 15 and 30 minutes to complete and requires fewer injections than other dermal fillers.
- Radiesse requires less-frequent touch-ups than other dermal fillers.
- There is no downtime after undergoing Radiesse treatment.
With so many benefits to Radiesse, it’s no wonder that so many Buckhead and Alpharetta women and men have turned to Bella for the dermal filler.
How Does Radiesse Work?
Radiesse is made of calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHA) gel microspheres that work immediately upon injection. CaHA is made up of ions of phosphate and calcium, which occur naturally in the human body.
The injectable gel initially does all the work of filling in the volume you want. As time goes on, though, the CaHA stimulates your naturally occurring collagen, allowing your skin to produce more of its own filler. The hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon in the gel help to create a structure that mimics connective tissue.
Eventually, the CaHA absorbs back into your body, leaving your collagen in its place. Because of the science behind Radiesse, treatment results can last for well over a year – even up to two years for some of our Buckhead and Alpharetta clients.
When Will I See Results?
Radiesse starts working right away, and you’ll be able to see an increase in volume in the treated areas as soon as your injections are complete. However, most of our Buckhead and Alpharetta clients don’t get to enjoy their final results for four to six weeks. Note that there are exceptions to every rule, and this rule is no different.
You may be able to see your final results after just three weeks if you’re in your 20s or 30s. On the other hand, you may not be able to see your final results for two months if you are in your 50s or 60s.
How Long is the Recovery Time?
For most of our Buckhead and Alpharetta clients, there is no downtime required after being treated with Radiesse, and you are not required to schedule any time off work. You can go straight back to work and can resume normal activities immediately. However, exercise is not recommended for 24 hours after injections.
Mild swelling, red bumps, or bruising may appear after injections, but this tends to dissipate shortly after treatment and makeup can be gently applied. You may also experience tenderness at the injection site for a few days after your treatment. Depending upon the areas treated and products used, you may feel firmness in the treated areas for one to two weeks after treatment. Over time, the areas will soften and settle. For discomfort, you may take Tylenol. Arnica creams can be topically applied to aid bruising, swelling, and pain after treatment.
Preparing for Your Radiesse Treatment at Our Buckhead or Alpharetta Office
If this is your first Radiesse treatment at our Buckhead or Alpharetta office, then be prepared to discuss your medical history, including questions about prior procedures, treatments, surgeries, illnesses, and medications you have taken.
Think about your desired results for your treatment and be prepared to share those with your injector. In addition, take photos of the area to be treated, so that you can track your results.
Before your treatment appointment:
- Avoid taking aspirin or other similar pain relievers three to seven days before treatment.
- Avoid taking certain supplements, such as Vitamin E and others, three to seven days before treatment.
- Avoid using certain products, such as retinol, three to seven days before treatment.
Following these guidelines will ensure a successful treatment at our Buckhead or Alpharetta office.
What to Expect During Your Radiesse Treatment
During your Radiesse treatment at our Buckhead or Alpharetta office:
- Your skin will be cleansed prior to treatment.
- A cream or ointment called a topical anesthetic will be used to numb the area where your injection will be received your injection.
- Your injector will begin the treatment by giving you the first injection, then pausing to allow the anesthetic that is part of Radiesse to continue to numb the area around your injection. The anesthetic part of Radiesse has been shown to significantly reduce the pain and discomfort that may occur with a dermal filler gel injection.
- Your injector will continue the injection of Radiesse until the area being treated shows the desired results.
- After the injection is completed, your injector may gently massage the area that was treated to ensure the dermal filler gel is distributed evenly and looks natural.
Aftercare and Possible Side Effects
There is little that you must do following Radiesse injections. It’s best to avoid strenuous exercise or excessive alcohol consumption to allow your body time to heal. It’s also important to avoid exposing the injection sites to excessive heat. Take caution by avoiding sunbathing, saunas, waxing, hot tubs, and hot showers.
- You can wash the treated areas normally and use makeup to cover any bruising or swelling. Sunscreen can also be worn over the injection areas. If you do experience swelling, ice packs can be applied intermittently. For pain, take acetaminophen rather than NSAIDs as they can increase bruising.
- A clean cloth dipped in cold water (cold compresses) may be applied to the injected area immediately after treatment to reduce swelling.
- Avoid touching the treated area within six hours following treatment so you do not accidentally injure your skin while the area is numb. After that, the area can be gently washed with soap and water.
- Minimize strenuous exercise and exposure to excessive heat, sun, or UV lamps for the first 24 hours after treatment. Exposure to any of these may cause temporary redness, swelling, and/or itching at the injection site. Until there is no redness or swelling, avoid exposure of the treated area to intense cold or heat such as sun lamps or sunbathing.
- Do not sleep on the treated area. Try to sleep on your back, as the filler is moldable for two weeks after injection and diminishes with massaging or other pressure over the area.
Common side effects reported by our Buckhead and Alpharetta Radiesse clients include bruising, redness, swelling, pain, itching at the site of injection.