RADIESSE® is an injectable skin filler with quick and long-lasting results. Radiesse® provides immediate lifting of wrinkles and folds. It has also been shown to stimulate the production of your own collagen, working with your body to restore volume and a natural refreshed appearance.

In Dr. Davis’s office, Radiesse® treatments are actually considerably less expensive by the unit than treatments with the other popular fillers Juvederm and Restylane. While a syringe of Radiesse® is priced slightly higher than a full syringe of the others, Radiesse® is manufactured in 1.5 cc syringes (compared to 0.8 cc and 1.0 cc syringes for Juvederm and Restylane).

What is RADIESSE® 
Radiesse® (previously called Radiance) is an FDA-approved synthetic, biocompatible wrinkle filler used to augment volume in the soft tissues of the face and hands. It is made of calcium hydroxyapatite, which is the primary mineral component of bones and teeth though it feels soft in the skin. Radiesse is known for its long lasting results. The calcium hydroxyapatite stimulates the body to produce new collagen, and it is common for the treatment effects to remain for more than a year.

How will Dr. Davis use RADIESSE® to improve my appearance?
Radiesse, like other fillers, can be used for the treatment of lines and wrinkles around the mouth and in the lower face. It will help make you look younger and more refreshed, but in a natural way. Dr. Davis can also use Radiesse to augment cheek bones, which will add definition to a flat face. In addition, Radiesse is Dr. Davis’s preferred filler for adding volume to the backs of the hands in order to make them look fuller, younger, and less “bony”. Radiesse can also be used to lift indented scars from a variety of causes.

Will my RADIESSE® treatment with Dr. Davis be painful?
Radiesse is mixed with the anesthetic lidocaine to minimize pain and discomfort during injection. Patients may also come 30 minutes before their appointment to sit with a topical anesthetic cream (at no additional charge). Either way the treatment is tolerable, and the results are excellent and long-lasting.

Who does Dr. Davis treat with RADIESSE®?
Radiesse treatments are for both men and women, generally over age 30. Occasionally, Dr. Davis will treat younger individuals if lines are visible (such as in smokers or people who have spent considerable time in the sun) or if she is lifting acne/chicken pox scars.

Can there be any problems after my RADIESSE ®treatment?
Occasionally there will be bruising from the injections, which can largely be prevented by avoiding aspirin and the products listed below. (Prior to your treatment, see ‘How should I prepare for my Radiesse treatment with Dr. Davis.’) On rare occasion, you may feel bumps under the skin after your treatment. These can be massaged down with an antibacterial product such as Bacitracin ointment (sold over-the-counter).

How should I prepare for my RADIESSE ® treatment with Dr. Davis?
There are certain precautions we recommend adhering to for about a week prior to your procedure. These will help to reduce bruising, bleeding, and swelling during and after the procedure.

Avoid the following:

• All pain relievers except Tylenol (acetaminophen): avoid Aleve, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, and even low dose baby aspirin (unless recommended by your physician).
• Vitamin E and all multi vitamins containing Vitamin E. Foods high in Vitamin E should also be avoided such as: sunflower seeds, dry roasted almonds, olives, papaya, spinach, arugula, broccoli, blueberries.
• Cinnamon and horseradish
• Herbal remedies such as St. John’s Wort, Ginkgo Biloba, Ginger Root, Fish Oil, etc.
• Alcoholic beverages (optional)

Take the following:

We recommend that you purchase Arnica tablets, which can be bought at Metro Drugs, Whole Foods or other health food and vitamin stores. Follow the instructions on the package; you can start taking these pills as early as a few days before your procedure. We suggest that you take them at least the day before and the day of the treatment. You may also want to take them after. Arnica gel is not nearly as effective.

An alternative supplement to minimize bruising after the treatment is Bromelain (pineapple extract). You can take 500mg twice a day for 3 days following a procedure. You should begin taking Bromelain the day of your treatment, after the procedure has been completed. Bromelain can be taken in addition to or instead of Arnica tablets, though Bromelain should not be taken before the treatment, only after.