Radiesse FAQ
Radiesse can smooth out deep wrinkles and lines around the nose and mouth. It also can be used to add contours to areas of the face that have lost their shape from the aging process, leaving you with some sagging skin around your cheeks and jaw line. Radiesse doesn’t just contour as pure filler; it stimulates the growth of new collagen, the natural protein in your skin that gives it a smooth texture and youthful elasticity. This combination of filler and collagen activation becomes a terrific option to smooth out and re-contour your face for a more youthful look.
You likely have some questions in the ‘how long’ category of information about Radiesse, and we encourage you to talk to your board-certified dermatologist for answers tailored to you, to your skin type and your own particular skin contouring, lines, wrinkles and folds you’d like to see improved. Your doctor will assess your skin and inform you of what you can expect from your Radiesse treatments and results. For now, though, here are some basic FYIs to keep in mind as you explore your options to getting that great skin you want and that fresher face you’re about to experience:
How long does it last? The effects of Radiesse can last from one to three years, depending on the severity of your particular facial lines and the areas of your face that you have treated. Compared to other dermal fillers that can last 6 months to a year, the one to three years of Radiesse’s effects encourages many women to look further into this cosmetic treatment to solve their facial appearance concerns. Another factor related to how long Radiesse lasts is the cost compared to other treatments. Collagen, for example, might last only a month or two, needing a boost after three months. Hyaluronic acid only lasts a year at best. So Radiesse’s duration could turn into a savings of money and time when you don’t have to get repeat treatments very often. And that could make it cheaper over time.
How long is the treatment? Typical Radiesse treatments last approximately 30 minutes. If you’d like some topical numbing cream to help reduce the discomfort of the injection, just add an extra 15 minutes to your treatment time for application and to allow the numbing cream time to work fully. Radiesse treatments don’t take very long, and they’re performed in your dermatologist’s office, so you won’t lose too much time out of your day.
How long until I can go into the sun? Avoid direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time as advised by your doctor. Wear sunblock to protect your skin, since sunlight may cause permanent discoloration after bruising.
How long until I can wear makeup? You may apply makeup after your Radiesse procedure in many cases, but to keep your skin clean and safer from infection, your doctor may advise a brief period of makeup-free time.
How long will it be swollen? People react to the injection process differently, and thus experience different side effects from Radiesse treatments. The most common side effects are tenderness, bruising, bumps/lumps and swelling at the site of injections, and those side effects typically last 2-7 days. Some patients experience very little bruising or swelling after Radiesse treatments and are back to their normal activities immediately. And then there are some patients who experience swelling, bruising and other side effects for up to 2 weeks for some patients. This is a normal part of the healing process and will subside as your body acclimates to the injection.
You also want to follow your doctor’s instructions for care of your skin, so that you don’t get an infection in your injection site or sites, which can cause extra redness, bruising and swelling. Your dermatologist can also advise you on how you can reduce the duration of your side effects by avoiding blood thinners such as aspirin, fish oil, and ibuprofen a week prior to your appointment, and for a duration afterward as directed by your doctor.
Also, it is important to avoid excessive heat such as saunas, hot showers, the hot sun or cooking over a hot stove, which can cause the blood vessels to dilate and cause more bleeding and bruising. Additionally, avoid strenuous exercise after the procedure. This may raise your blood pressure and pulse causing more bruising and swelling.
For more information on side effect duration and steps you can take to recover quickly and fully from your Radiesse treatment, consult with your dermatologist.
