RADIESSE® (+) is a calcium hydroxylapatite filler with lidocaine, FDA approved in adults 22 and older for moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds, and for jawline contour. Merz describes it as a collagen-stimulating filler, and results are temporary. It is offered at our San Luis Obispo and Santa Maria offices.
What is RADIESSE® (+)?
RADIESSE® (+) is a dermal filler made of tiny calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres, a synthetic version of a mineral your body also contains, suspended in a smooth gel. It also contains lidocaine, a local anesthetic, to help make injections more comfortable.
Unlike hyaluronic acid fillers such as Belotero® and JUVÉDERM®, RADIESSE (+) is not made from hyaluronic acid. Merz describes it as a collagen-stimulating filler, meaning that along with adding volume, it is designed to encourage your body to build its own collagen over time. Collagen stimulation is not part of the FDA-approved uses, and it does not guarantee a particular result.
Our team can help you decide whether RADIESSE (+) is right for your goals.
Benefits of RADIESSE® (+)
RADIESSE® (+) can help you:
- Smooth wrinkles and folds. Soften moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds, the creases from the nose to the corners of the mouth.
- Improve jawline contour. Address moderate to severe loss of jawline contour, if you are 22 or older.
- Support your own collagen. Merz designed RADIESSE to encourage your body’s natural collagen production over time.
- Get a personal plan. We plan your treatment around your features and goals.
- Stay comfortable. The gel contains lidocaine to help reduce discomfort during injection.
How treatment works
Plan
Your visit starts with a conversation about your goals and health history. We look at your face, may take photos, and plan a treatment around your features.
Inject
We cleanse the skin, and a numbing cream may be used. Then we place RADIESSE (+) with a technique suited to the area: under the skin for lines and folds, or deeper for the jawline. The gel contains lidocaine to help keep you comfortable.
Refine
The effects of RADIESSE (+) continue to develop over the weeks after treatment, so we add gradually rather than overfill. A follow-up visit may be recommended to check your results and see whether more would help.
What to expect
Your treatment begins with a consultation about your goals, your health history, including allergies, scarring and cold sores, and any past skin treatments. We will explain the procedure, review possible side effects and help you know what to expect.
After treatment, temporary bruising, redness, swelling, tenderness or itching is common. In the product labeling, these reactions were mainly short term, usually less than a week, though some can last longer. After jawline treatment, you may notice a temporary change in how your jaw works, and difficulty chewing was reported in clinical studies of the face. We will give you personalized aftercare instructions.
If you have an event coming up, tell us so we can plan your treatment date.
How long do results last? Results are temporary, and how long they last depends on the area treated and on you. In the clinical study that supported the jawline approval, participants were followed for 48 weeks. Of the 113 participants who had improved at 12 weeks, 76 (67%) still showed improvement at 48 weeks. Ask us what to expect for the area you want to treat.
Crissa is a wonderful addition to the practice, can’t wait to return.
What to do after treatment
- Follow the aftercare instructions we give you
- Minimize strenuous activity and extensive sun or heat exposure for about 24 hours, or until any initial swelling and redness have resolved
- Tell us before you schedule a laser treatment, chemical peel or other procedure involving the treated area, since a reaction at the treatment site is possible
- Tell your other health care providers and any radiologist that you have had RADIESSE® (+), because the particles are visible on CT scans and may be visible on X-rays
- Tell us if you notice lumps, firmness, swelling or redness that is persistent or appears later
SEEK CARE RIGHT AWAY
Call us and get prompt medical attention if you notice changes in vision, signs of a stroke, a white or blanched appearance of the skin, or unusual pain during or shortly after treatment.
Is RADIESSE® (+) right for you?
RADIESSE® (+) may be a good option if you want to soften moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, or improve moderate to severe loss of jawline contour. It is FDA approved for facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds, and for jawline contour in adults 22 and older.
During your consultation, our team will talk through your goals, review your health history and help decide whether RADIESSE (+) is the right fit.
RADIESSE® (+) is not appropriate for everyone. Certain allergies, medical conditions or skin concerns may prevent treatment or mean we need to postpone it. We will review your health history and talk through any risks before recommending treatment.
Who should not receive RADIESSE® (+)
- A history of anaphylaxis or a history or presence of multiple severe allergies
- A known allergy to any component of RADIESSE® (+), including lidocaine or other amide-type anesthetics
- A bleeding disorder
When we would wait
We will postpone treatment if you have active skin inflammation or infection in or near the area until it has cleared.
What to tell us before treatment
- If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding, because safety has not been established
- If you take aspirin, warfarin or other blood thinners, since bruising or bleeding may increase. Do not stop a prescribed medicine without talking to the clinician who prescribed it
- If you tend to form large raised scars or keloids, because safety has not been studied
- If you have had cold sores, or recent or planned laser treatments or peels
Looking for other ways to restore volume or improve skin quality? Explore our other fillers and treatments.
Important safety information
RADIESSE® (+) is FDA approved, and like every dermal filler it carries risks. We will review them with you before treatment.
Common reactions
Bruising, redness, swelling, pain and itching are common after treatment. After jawline treatment, your jaw may temporarily work differently.
Rare but serious risk
Although rare, unintentional injection into a blood vessel can cause serious complications that may be permanent, including vision changes or blindness, stroke, skin damage and scarring.
Other risks
Other risks include infection, which in some cases may need removal of the filler, lumps or nodules, and delayed-onset inflammation, which has been reported after illnesses, vaccinations and dental procedures. It is not known whether RADIESSE (+) is safe or effective beyond 3 years in the face.
If a complication occurs
If a complication occurs, we will evaluate your symptoms and recommend the right medical care. Treatment depends on the type and severity of the reaction.
This is not a complete list of risks. Read the full Instructions for Use and ask us any questions before you decide.
RADIESSE® (+) frequently asked questions
Offered at
Ready to start? Request your consultation
To schedule an appointment, please complete the form below, book online in Santa Maria (opens online scheduler), or call our office.
Cosmetic Services: No referral is required.
Medical Dermatology in San Luis Obispo: We are accepting new patients with a referral from your primary care physician. Please have your primary care physician send your referral to our office, then complete the form below to request an appointment.
Medical Dermatology in Santa Maria: PPO patients may schedule appointments without a referral. For HMO patients, we are in-network with Santa Maria Physician's Choice.
A consultation fee of $125 is due at the time of booking.
Product information
Merz: RADIESSE® (+) Instructions for Use · RADIESSE® Important Safety Information
American Academy of Dermatology Association: How to apply sunscreen
This page is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. RADIESSE® is a trademark of Merz. Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician or other licensed health care practitioner. Individual results vary and are temporary. Side effects are possible, and not everyone is a candidate. Tell us about your health history, allergies and medications before your appointment.