Radiesse™ - Dermal Fillers

This medical product is developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb and BioForm Medical and was launched in 2000 as Radiance FN, in the US, 2004 in Europe under the name Radiesse™. It is primarily designed for correction of large soft tissue as well as facial shaping and contouring, generally containing calcium hydroxylapatite as the major component which is actually the functional component of Radiesse. This component has been used in the body quite safely for over twenty five years with practitioners finding it ultimately convenient and comfortable for treating patients. In fact it is becoming extremely popular in the UK market when it comes to treating facial aesthetic conditions. It is made up of aqueous gel that contains sodiumcarboxymethylcellulose which is basically a synthetic Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres suspended in a gel carrier with high purity water and glycerin. It is estimated to be approximately 70 percent gel and 30 percent CaHA carrier by volume. The naturally occurring calcium and phosphate ions in human tissue make up the CAHA part of the constituents of this product. No human or animal components are present in the product.

In the process of making it, calcium and phosphate are together bonded into particles of calciumhydroxylapatite to come up with the main product. It is not a permanent filler by any means though capable of lasting longer and is resorbable with a possibility of the effect lasting for about two years mainly depending on the patient treated plus the condition or area that was treated. The CaHA particles are smooth and spherical which form a scaffold once the substance is injected. The scaffold formed provides a place for new collagen to grow from the body’s tissue. The particles will beak down completely, being metabolized through the body’s mechanism and meanwhile the gel carrier will have dissolved in a few months after treatment. After the breakdown of the particles, only the new structure of collagen is left. Some of the conditions that can be treated include shallow cheeks, nasolabial folds, radial lip lines, blemishes and depressions, correction of nose and chin indentations, and marionette lines. It should not be used in people with existing or pre-existing unfavorable conditions, those taking other medications like aspirin and those with other implants which must be removed first but always ensure to consult the doctor first before taking any step.

The product provides a longer term effect after treatment, commonly lasting over 18 months period or longer. The manufacturers confirm that not many serious cases of negative effects have been reported apart from lumpiness at the injected region which is largely attributed to incorrect placement of the substance at the time of treatment. Extensive testing of this product has been carried out, spanning over eight years and the results have been satisfying. Costs vary between £150 - £450 normally per 1.3cc.