Radiesse®
Collagen is the most abundant protein found in the body. It is a major component of tendons, ligaments, muscles and skin, and has numerous vital functions that keep you looking and performing your best. One of its roles is to maintain the integrity of your skin by providing strength, elasticity and hydration. Unfortunately, as you age, your body gradually slows down its production of collagen, leading to dry skin, loss of elasticity and volume, and the formation of wrinkles.
Thankfully, as the field of medical aesthetics has progressed, innovative ways to stave off the inevitable signs of aging have emerged. Gravity Med Spa in San Juan Capistrano specializes in nonsurgical treatments that restore a healthy and youthful look to the face and body. One such treatment is Radiesse, an injectable dermal filler with collagen-boosting capabilities that corrects volume loss in the face and hands. If you’re excited to experience the benefits of Radiesse, contact Gravity Med Spa at 949-387-6118 today!
What Is Radiesse?
Radiesse is the first and only filler of its kind to receive FDA approval for use in the hands as well as the face. It provides immediate volume and contour correction when it is injected, and continues to work by stimulating your natural production of collagen for a long-lasting effect. This activates the self-renewing potential inherent in your skin to enhance its firmness, elasticity and strength. Radiesse treatments can be tailored to your individual requirements and skin condition to achieve optimal results. Improvements can last up to a year or more, making the treatment convenient as well as effective.
How Does Radiesse Work?
Radiesse is a gel that contains microspheres of calcium hydroxyapatite. Calcium hydroxyapatite is made up of ions of calcium and phosphate, which occur naturally in the human body. When Radiesse is introduced to the body via injection, it immediately fills in areas of diminished volume and smooths out wrinkles. As time goes on, the calcium hydroxyapatite stimulates your naturally-occurring collagen, which essentially allows your skin to create its own filler. Radiesse is eventually absorbed into the body but leaves behind the new collagen.
Radiesse is an alternative to dermal fillers made of hyaluronic acid, another substance that’s naturally produced in the body. Calcium hydroxyapatite gives Radiesse a thicker, firmer consistency than hyaluronic acid dermal fillers. This quality makes it ideal for treating areas that require more advanced correction, such as deep smile lines and the back of the hands.
What Concerns Can Radiesse Improve?
Radiesse helps lift and define your appearance by treating the following concerns:
- Sunken cheeks
- Lines that extend from the lips to the chin (marionette lines)
- Lines that run from the nose to the corner of the mouth (nasolabial folds)
- Lines that create a downturned appearance at the corners of the mouth
- Pre-jowl folds
- Chin wrinkles
- Reduced volume in the back of the hands
- Visible veins and tendons in the backs of the hands
What Are the Benefits of Radiesse?
Radiesse is an excellent option for restoring volume and delivering correction where it is indicated. Benefits include:
- Quick in-office treatment
- Clinically proven to be safe and effective
- Comfortable injections, since it includes lidocaine
- Short treatments with little to no downtime
- Immediate results
- Lasts a year or more in most patients
- Can delay the need for surgical correction
- Can be combined with other nonsurgical rejuvenation treatments
How Is Radiesse Administered?
Radiesse treatments are quick and convenient. Before any injections take place, one of our aesthetic specialists will examine your area of concern and discuss your desired outcomes. This will help them determine which dermal filler is best for you, as well as the optimal dosage and injection locations. Your injector will then clean the treatment area and use an ultra-fine needle to administer the filler. Radiesse contains the numbing agent lidocaine to minimize discomfort. If you are particularly sensitive to pain, an additional topical numbing cream may be applied before treatment.
Is Downtime Needed After Radiesse Injections?
Most patients can resume their usual daily activities immediately after an injection session. After Radiesse, you may notice some bruising and redness of the skin, tenderness near the injection sites or minor swelling. These side effects are typically mild and resolve quickly. Avoid strenuous activities and stay out of direct sunlight and heat for a day or so to minimize these reactions.
What Results Can I Expect From Radiesse?
You will notice increased volume and firmness in the injected area immediately. Hollow cheeks will become plump, fine lines will fade and gaunt hands will be rejuvenated. Collagen production will gradually increase for several weeks following injection, allowing you to enjoy your new, youthful look for even longer. Radiesse results can last up to a year in most patients. Many factors that vary from individual to individual will determine how long you notice Radiesse’s benefits. Maintenance treatments may occur every nine to 12 months, depending on your unique needs.
Am I a Good Candidate for Radiesse?
Most women and men can safely have a Radiesse treatment, regardless of age or skin type. While sunken cheeks, wrinkles and volume loss are often the result of age, some patients experience these changes earlier in life due to genetic factors. Age alone does not determine whether Radiesse is right for you.
Patients with a history of serious allergies or who are allergic to ingredients in Radiesse may not be able to have this treatment. Radiesse is not advisable if you have a bleeding disorder or active infection, or if you are currently pregnant or breastfeeding. Speak with a member of our aesthetics team about these concerns if they apply to you.
Radiesse at Gravity Med Spa
Just because wrinkles and volume loss are natural doesn’t mean you can’t do anything about them. Anti-aging treatments have come a long way and injectable dermal fillers are a safe, effective and natural-looking option for reversing the clock. Gravity Med Spa proudly offers Radiesse to help women and men improve the look of their face and hands. To learn more about Radiesse or another injectable treatment, call our San Juan Capistrano office at 949-387-6118 and schedule your in-person consultation without delay.