Radiesse is plastic surgery, without the plastic, and without the surgery. It takes the invasiveness, scalpels, stitches, and downtime out of a typical facelift, while still providing desired results. So what is Radiesse?
What Radiesse Is and How It Works
Radiesse is an injectable gel cosmetic made from calcium hydroxyapatite—a compound found in the bones and cartilage of our bodies. As one of the building materials for collagen synthesis, it goes to work creating new collagen fibers once it is injected. In addition, it also latches on to the surrounding tissue to create a firm scaffold-type structure on which the new collagen can grow. This makes Radiesse one of the firmer injectable fillers and has earned it the nickname “liquid facelift.
As it lifts sagging tissue, it makes up for muscle atrophy that comes with age, volume loss, and thinning skin. It also fills fine lines and wrinkles.
Specific Uses for Radiesse
Radiesse can be used for a number of cosmetic enhancements and improvements for people who do not want surgery. Treatments include:
- -Cheek lift
- -Chin augmentation
- -Jowl lift
- -Nonsurgical rhinoplasty
- -Filling of nasolabial folds
- -Filling of frown lines
Radiesse Compared to Other Injectable Fillers
Radiesse is comparable to Juvederm and Restylane (both derived from hyaluronic acid) for certain treatments, such as filling fine lines and wrinkles. However, Radiesse is able to provide a much firmer framework at the injection site, which is where the “facelift” capability comes in. Juverderm and Restylane do not provide the same structural support, but are excellent for adding tissue volume and for hydrating the skin.
On the flip side, Radiesse would be too dense of a compound to use for lip augmentation (it could result in complications, like cyst formation in the lips), where Juvederm or Restylane are ideal for this purpose. Also, Radiesse is much more painful upon being administered than the other two, though it does last longer. Where Radiesse can last 12 to 18 months, Juvederm lasts 6 to 9 months and Restylane lasts about four.