Radiesse is a specialized dermal filler that acts to stimulates the body to increase the production of its own collagen. It is approved by the Federal Drugs Administration (FDA) for use in the hands and face.
It consists of calcium hydroxylapatite crystals that are suspended in a gel, which after injection will help to volumise the area injected but also acts to stimulate the production of collagen. The collagen will add support to the skin reducing wrinkles.
They differ from anti-wrinkle injections in that they are intended to ‘fill’ spaces and so restore volume or correct contours that are lost in the facial ageing process to give a more youthful appearance.
Anti-wrinkle injections in contrast, strategically block nerve signals to muscles, thereby relaxing treated muscle groups and reducing movement wrinkles.
Dermal fillers such as Radiesse are used for an enormous variety of treatments which range from filling fine lines and wrinkles, to replacing volume in areas such as the cheeks which thereby counteract the facial sagging appearance that can occur with age.
Radiesse is a specialized dermal filler that acts to stimulates the body to increase the production of its own collagen. It is approved by the Federal Drugs Administration (FDA) for use in the hands and face.
It consists of calcium hydroxylapatite crystals that are suspended in a gel, which after injection will help to volumise the area injected but also acts to stimulate the production of collagen. The collagen will add support to the skin reducing wrinkles.
They differ from anti-wrinkle injections in that they are intended to ‘fill’ spaces and so restore volume or correct contours that are lost in the facial ageing process to give a more youthful appearance.
Anti-wrinkle injections in contrast, strategically block nerve signals to muscles, thereby relaxing treated muscle groups and reducing movement wrinkles.
Dermal fillers such as Radiesse are used for an enormous variety of treatments which range from filling fine lines and wrinkles, to replacing volume in areas such as the cheeks which thereby counteract the facial sagging appearance that can occur with age.
Importantly, unlike HA dermal fillers that are reversible, Radiesse injections are not reversible like anti-wrinkle injections and so have to wear off naturally over time.
Your suitability for this treatment will be determined during a full face assessment no-commitment consultation with Dr Rory and he will provide all the necessary details for your particular case.
All treatments are performed in the luxurious state of the art treatment rooms within the clinic either on the day of consultation or after a period of reflection following consultation. The choice is entirely yours.
Depending on the areas treated, no formal anaesthesia is required but you may choose to have some topical anaesthesia (numbing cream applied). Dr Rory has a number of other techniques to make your anti-wrinkle injection experience as comfortable as possible.
Many patients have their treatment and return to work or normal activities that same day with no downtime.
What is the aim of Radiesse treatment?
This is very variable and depends on the conditions being treated, however the primary aim is to fill spaces which can range from fine lines to volume lost during the ageing process.
A full range of conditions treated with dermal fillers such as Radiesse can be seen within the conditions section.
There is an element of prevention when it comes to dermal filler treatments as small treatments over time will help slow down the characteristic signs of ageing.
How many dermal filler injections do I need?
This is very variable and is determined during your full face assessment consultation with Dr Rory.
It depends on the areas that concern you, your priorities, the results of your facial assessment and also your budget. These factors will all be taken into consideration and a plan can be put in place to split your treatments into sessions over time.
Each syringe of Radiesse contains 1.5 ml of calcium hydroxylapatite crystals that are suspended in a gel.
It must be emphasized, the number of syringes are tailored to each patient for a bespoke treatment with an emphasis on natural results.
How long will the results last?
The body will start to naturally break down the calcium hydroxylapatite crystals over time and this leads to collagen production. This depends on the location of the filler, amount used and also on the biology of the patient.
The results of collagen production can persist for up to eighteen months. The duration of your particular treatment will be explained to you prior to your treatment with Dr Rory.
What happens on the day of consultation ?
Dr Rory will obtain a full medical history assessing your suitability for the treatment and perform a full facial assessment and explain which areas of your face can be treated with dermal filler injections and why. He will also give you an estimate of number of syringes needed.
It is important to appreciate Radiesse dermal fillers are not suitable for all patients. They are considered unsafe if you have any active inflammatory or allergic skin diseases such as acne, have an allergy to local anaesthetics and also if certain medications are being taken. This will be explained during the consultation process.
Furthermore, more advanced techniques such as surgical facial rejuvenation may be more appropriate in selected cases.
If you are suitable for Radiesse treatment, he will then run through the process of consent and injection techniques with you if you are having injections for the first time.
You can choose to have your treatment that same day or choose to think about your options and return another day.
If you do choose to go ahead, clinical photographs will be taken and you will be checked in by a nurse to the treatment room and given consent information to read and sign. All your details will be confirmed with you.
Your makeup is removed and numbing cream may be applied if you wish and after a period of time this is cleaned off and your skin is further prepared.
The length of the treatment is very much variable depending on the number of syringes used and a number of techniques are employed to make your experience as comfortable as possible.
You then have post treatment photographs taken, given post injection instructions and can be discharged when you are feeling comfortable and ready to go.
How long will the treatment take?
Treatments can range from five to sixty minutes depending on the number of syringes used.
This does not include anaesthesia time. In total, the whole procedure may last longer if numbing cream is used.
Will the procedure be painful?
No, one of the primary aims of any procedure performed by Dr Rory is to create a pain free experience and you have the option of having numbing cream.
Other techniques are also employed to make your experience as comfortable as possible.
In terms of recovery, there may be some very mild tenderness in the injection areas on the day but this is minimized by applying a cold compress after the treatment.
What is the recovery period?
This is essentially a lunchtime treatment and there is no recovery period and you can resume your normal activities pretty much immediately.
There is always a theoretical risk of bruising as a needle is being introduced to the skin. This risk increases as the number of areas treated increases.
The more product that is used also increases the risk of swelling after the treatment.
He may also choose to prescribe you some medication to help reduce the risk of swelling.
What should I consider when recovering from the procedure?
No makeup should be applied that day as this may introduce the risk of infection into the filler injection sites.
Avoid any vigorious exercise, saunas or steam treatments for the first three days to reduce swelling,
If a full face treatment has been conducted you are advised to sleep with extra pillows on your back for the first three nights. If you sleep on your side you may notice more swelling on that side of your face. In addition, medicine to reduce swelling will be prescribed.
The effects of the treatment will be apparent from the day of treatment onwards and areas will improve with time as the collagen production increases.
Any judgements on the initial treatment outcome should be left your review appointment two weeks after your last session and any adjustments can be made at this important clinic appointment. Your second follow up is at eight months.
If you are entirely happy and are very experienced with Radiesse treatments, then there is no need to attend this review appointment and just book your repeat treatment at your normal interval.
What is the cost of the treatment?
Each syringe of Radiesse is 3000 AED (excluding VAT).
The final cost is determined on a case by case basis dependent on complexity and additional procedures. Combination treatments may lower the price of individual treatments if done together.
A full facial assessment no-commitment consultation with Dr Rory will provide all the necessary details for your particular case.
What are the risks of the treatment?
These include some discomfort, infection, risk of bleeding, bruising, delayed swelling and nodules, blood vessel problems.
Blood vessel problems are a very very rare risk which results from the filler substance entering a blood vessel. This can interrupt the blood supply to the area.
This can manifest as an area of skin that looses it blood supply (called skin necrosis) but also rarely can be the eye loosing its blood supply resulting in blindness.
If this is suspected, emergency treatment is needed immediately. This is a very very rare complication and needs an expert to manage it promptly.
Dr Rory trains and lectures many doctors around the world on blood vessel anatomy and the safety aspects of avoiding such problems and is the local expert in Dubai for dealing with these issues if local doctors encounter problems.
This highlights the need to have dermal fillers performed by a qualified and experienced doctor who is familiar with your facial anatomy and not to focus on cost, as you are paying for the experience and safety profile of your injector rather than the product being injected.
Anything in particularly important I should know about the treatment?
It’s a relatively quick and simple treatment requiring no downtime with very high satisfaction rates and Dr Rory will tailor your treatment to your needs.
It can quite often delay the need for aesthetic facial surgery to later on in life.
The more product that is used also increases the risk of swelling after the treatment.
It is one of the most popular non-surgical treatment worldwide and is most commonly performed in conjunction with other procedures over time.
What is the follow up after the treatment?
Typically it involves seeing Dr Rory approximately two weeks following your initial Radiesse injection for review and then at eight months.
If you are entirely happy and are very experienced with Radiesse injections, then there is no need to attend this review appointment and just book your repeat treatment at your normal interval.
Who is involved in my care?
Dr Rory is the primary physician in charge of all your care. He performs all procedures himself and is meticulous about every aspect of your care.
Once he has performed a procedure on you he is available for you as your on-call doctor.
He will provide you with contact details and will be available for you. If you have any questions or concerns.
He has trained his team around him to an exceptionally high standard from his aesthetic coordinators to aesthetic nurses.
