As we age, our skin loses the collagen and elastin that keep it firm, lifted, and youthful, leaving behind volume loss, folds, and sagging that can quietly chip away at our confidence. Radiesse fights back on two fronts. It immediately restores lost volume the moment it's injected, and it stimulates your body's own collagen production over the following months for results that keep improving. The outcome is a firmer, lifted, more youthful appearance that looks completely natural and lasts.
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Radiesse is a dermal filler in the biostimulator category, meaning it prompts your body to build its own collagen in the treatment area. What makes Radiesse unique is that it works instantly and over time. It's made of calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres suspended in a gel: the gel delivers immediate volume the moment it's injected, while the microspheres stimulate your body to produce fresh collagen over the following weeks and months. As that new collagen builds, your results continue to improve, and the filler is gradually and naturally absorbed.
Radiesse typically lasts 12 to 18 months, and often longer, because it does more than fill. The collagen your body builds in response to treatment extends and supports your results well beyond the life of the gel itself. Touch-ups are recommended to maintain optimal results.
Most traditional fillers are made with hyaluronic acid (HA), which acts purely as a volume substitute. Radiesse works differently. Its calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres address one of the underlying causes of facial aging, collagen loss, by triggering your body to generate new collagen. That's why Radiesse delivers both an immediate result and a longer-lasting one, firming and rebuilding the skin's foundation rather than simply filling a space.
Every dermal filler appointment at Esthetics Center begins with a consultation with a skilled nurse to discuss your goals and concerns. Together you'll build a plan tailored to the areas you want to address and the amount of volume you've lost. We'll review your medical history to help you choose the right treatment and product, and take before and after photos to track your progress.
The treatment itself is quick. Once the area is cleaned and numbed, your injector places the Radiesse precisely to restore volume and contour. Because Radiesse works immediately, you'll see a noticeable difference as soon as you leave, with results continuing to improve over the following weeks as new collagen forms. Most patients are back to normal activities within 30 to 60 minutes, with just a few aftercare instructions.
Most patients find dermal filler injections very tolerable, and we take extra steps to keep you comfortable. You can expect topical icing and lidocaine numbing at the treatment area, and many Radiesse formulations are mixed with lidocaine for added comfort during injection. Some patients also choose to use our Nitrous Oxide system (laughing gas) for the most comfortable experience possible.
Radiesse is ideal for anyone who wants immediate volume restoration paired with the long-term benefit of natural collagen stimulation. It's especially well-suited to contouring the cheeks, jawline, and chin, softening deeper folds, and rejuvenating areas like the back of the hands. If you want firmer, lifted, natural-looking results that build over time, Radiesse is an excellent option. Your nurse will confirm whether it's the right fit during your consultation.
No. We take great pride at Esthetics Center in being skilled injectors who never make our patients look unnatural or overfilled. As the saying goes, the best injectable is undetectable. Radiesse is known for firm, natural-looking structure and contour rather than a puffy or overfilled look, and because it stimulates your own collagen, results settle in softly and naturally over time.
Yes. Radiesse is FDA-approved and has a long, well-established track record of safety and effectiveness. Calcium hydroxylapatite is a substance found naturally in the body, and the microspheres are gradually and safely metabolized over time. As with any medical or cosmetic procedure, the most important thing you can do is see a licensed, trained professional, which ensures you receive a high-quality product injected correctly.
The main side effects of any injectable are bruising, redness, swelling, and mild discomfort during healing, typically resolving within about a week. Aftercare is minimal. We recommend avoiding makeup and skincare products on the day of treatment, skipping heavy exercise for 24 hours, and sleeping with your head slightly elevated to reduce swelling.
To minimize bruising, we suggest stopping any food, supplement, or medication that thins the blood before treatment, including ibuprofen, aspirin, fish oil, flaxseed, and alcohol. Arnica supplements before and after can also help reduce bruising and swelling. If you're unsure whether something you're taking might interfere, call our office and we'll be happy to help.
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Dr. Rice, our cosmetic surgeon at the medical spa in El Dorado Hills, CA, received his medical degree from Loma Linda University in Southern California, where he also completed an internship in general surgery and specialty surgical training in Otolaryngology—head and neck surgery. Dr. Rice went on to complete advanced training in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Institute of Facial Plastic Surgery. He is double board-certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology, head and neck surgery, and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
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