Before Getting Radiesse Filler

3 Things You Must Know

The weather has been really up and down these days.

In this season when mornings are chilly and afternoons are mild,

your skin and overall body condition

can feel inconsistent for many people.

Today’s topic is

Radiesse.

You’ve probably heard the name a lot,

and also, it’s from the famous Ulthera company

product haha

But the thing is,

a lot more people than you’d think

are confused about how it differs from other fillers.

So today, I’ll go over just the key points.

Q. Is Radiesse

the same as a hyaluronic acid filler

?

A. No. The ingredients themselves are different.

I’ll explain the differences in detail below.

Q. If you get Radiesse once,

how long does it last?

A. In my experience,

it usually lasts about 12–18 months.

It lasts quite a long time because collagen regenerates.

However, it depends on the area and individual differences,

and I’ll also summarize this in the main text.

Q. Can Radiesse be dissolved?

A. No.

Hyaluronidase (the filler-dissolving injection)

does not work on it.

This is the most important point,

so make sure to read below.

Why Radiesse Is

Different from Other Fillers

When people say filler, they usually

first think of hyaluronic acid (HA)-based fillers.

Radiesse has a completely different composition.

Its main component is CaHA,

calcium hydroxyapatite.

Just from the name, it can sound like something hard is being injected,

so some people get scared.

But it is actually a substance that already exists in our body,

and in bones and teeth

it is a naturally occurring mineral.

It is injected in a gel form

with dispersed microscopic spherical particles.

If hyaluronic acid filler

creates volume by attracting moisture,

Radiesse

provides direct volumizing effects at first,

and over time, CaHA particles

stimulate collagen production.

In other words, it both fills and stimulates production,

doing two things at once.

Areas Where Radiesse Is Often Used Well,

and Areas Where It Is Not

Areas where Radiesse is especially effective are

the cheeks, jawline, nasolabial folds, and back of the hands.

In places like the cheeks, where the area is broad and support is needed,

CaHA’s physical properties are a great match.

It varies by case,

but this is usually how I approach it.

For people with cheek sagging and

overall reduced skin elasticity,

I recommend Radiesse as the first option.

For somewhat older patients,

who want both volume and

a lifting effect, it tends to fit very well.

But there is one important thing here.

Around the eyes, especially the tear trough area,

we do not use Radiesse.

In areas with complex vascular distribution

and thin tissue,

CaHA particles can cause problems.

So for this area, going with

hyaluronic acid filler is much safer.

This is a common misunderstanding,

but just because Radiesse lasts long and is good,

doesn’t mean it can be used everywhere.

Radiesse is also used for hand volume,

and this area tends to have high satisfaction

for people with thin skin and visible veins.

However, because the hands move a lot,

bruising may last longer or swelling

may continue for several days.

I always explain this in advance as well.

Director Kim Gaeul’s Practical Note:

The most important point with Radiesse is

that “there is no dissolving injection.”

With hyaluronic acid fillers, if you dislike the shape

or if side effects occur, it can be removed quickly,

but Radiesse cannot.

Because of this limitation, for first-time patients

I tend to start conservatively with the amount,

and injector experience is

truly important with this filler.

In my experience, starting with a slightly smaller amount

and adding more after 2–4 weeks is much safer.

Before and After Radiesse,

What You Realistically Need to Know

To be honest, Radiesse

has a somewhat stronger initial reaction than other fillers.

Swelling and bruising can last for a few days,

and especially first-time patients

may feel, “Is this normal?”

Usually right after treatment, due to the gel carrier,

the volume can look excessive,

but after 1–2 weeks

it settles in and looks natural.

Over the following months, the particles

stimulate collagen production,

so even if it looks like the volume has slightly decreased,

skin elasticity itself often improves.

This is a bit of a downside,

but during MRI scans, Radiesse

may appear as white dots on imaging.

Radiologists can be confused by this,

so you must disclose your filler procedure history before an MRI.

And another downside is the cost ^^..

Compared to hyaluronic acid fillers, the unit price is higher,

and when compared per 1cc, the difference is quite large.

Still, because it lasts longer

and has a collagen-stimulating effect,

many people view it as more economical

in the long term.

Radiesse,

Who It’s a Good Fit For

1 People with cheek sagging who also want a lifting effect

2 People who have already tried fillers,

and feel that HA fillers disappear too quickly

3 People bothered by prominent veins

due to lost volume on the back of the hands

4 People who want to improve the mid-face line rather than the tear trough

On the other hand, for these people

I recommend other options.

1 First-time filler users

(Consider after checking response with HA filler)

2 People whose main goal is correction around the eyes

3 People who want immediate removal if they dislike the result

What I consider most important is

before using Radiesse,

clearly identifying why it has to be Radiesse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is it okay even for

first-time filler patients?

Because there is no dissolving injection, predicting the result is important,

and if you have

never experienced filler response before,

there is risk in applying it

directly as a first procedure.

Q2. If the effect disappears,

does it return to the original state?

A. Over time, the particles break down in the body,

and the direct volumizing effect decreases.

However, because collagen production effects accumulate,

it often does not

completely return to square one.

Q3. Can I get Botox

on the same day?

A. Yes, if the treatment areas do not overlap.

However, swelling and bruising can overlap,

and the treatment order and combination must be

determined by me after checking your individual condition.

If you have any questions, feel free

to contact us via KakaoTalk or phone.

You can also ask on KakaoTalk before visiting.

This was Kim Gaeul.

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