Cosmetic Dermatology Treatments > Cosmetic Fillers > Radiesse®

Radiesse®

Radiesse® is a new injectable cosmetic facial filler used for restoring a natural, youthful appearance. It is used for volumizing and the filling of facial folds, acne scars, surgical scars, and wrinkles. Radiesse® augments the body's natural collagen supply and stimulates production of new collagen. This unique response provides immediate, visible improvement of folds and wrinkles, and provides long-lasting and beautiful results. In many patients, the results last for 1-2 years. Therefore, this usually means less frequent office visits for retreatments, saving you time and money.

Radiesse® is composed of calcium hydroxylapatite; unique calcium-based microspheres that are suspended in a water-based gel and injected into the skin through a simple, safe, and minimally invasive procedure. Since Radiesse® is not animal based, there is no allergy testing required prior to treatment. Calcium hydroxylapatite is biodegradable, so it is safely absorbed by your body over time. Radiesse® may show up on x-rays, so you need to let your dentists or doctor or X-ray technician be aware of this.

Treatments typically take 15 minutes and side effects such as swelling or bruising are minimal and should fade within a few days. Supplemental "touch up" treatments may be required to achieve and maintain optimal results.

Juvéderm® Ultra and Juvéderm® Ultra Plus

Touted as the "next generation" of facial fillers, Juvéderm® gently smoothes wrinkles and folds around the mouth and nose and restores a youthful volume to the face. They are especially effective on smile lines and nasolabial folds (lines that run from the bottom of the nose to the sides of the mouth). Juvéderm® is also an excellent choice for lip augmentation or plumping.

Recently approved by the FDA, Juvéderm® products are made with hyaluronic acid, a natural substance found in the body that works with collagen and elastin to provide volume and support to the skin. They come in two formulations optimized for the depth of the area being treated, allowing your healthcare professional to tailor treatment to your unique needs. Juvéderm® Ultra provides versatility in contouring and volumizing facial wrinkles and folds. Juvéderm® Ultra Plus is a more robust, cross-linked formulation for volumizing and correcting deeper folds and wrinkles.

Treatment takes only 15 minutes with immediate results and little to no downtime. Juvéderm® provides a smooth, natural look and feel. Results typically last about 6-9 months and correction is temporary. Supplemental "touch up" treatments may be required to achieve and maintain optimal results.

Patient Instructions - Before Treatment with Cosmetic Soft Tissue Fillers

The above mentioned fillers require no pretesting, but you should take a few precautions before being treated. Avoid using aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (Advil, Motrin etc.), St. John's Wort, or high doses of Vitamin E supplement prior to treatment because these may increase bruising or bleeding at the injection site. Also, if you have previously suffered from facial cold sores, there is a risk that the needle punctures could contribute to another recurrence.

If you have any questions or wish to set up an appointment, please call our office today at 914.631.4666.

Dr. Stallings answers potential patient questions on RealSelf.com