Fast Facts:
About: Radiesse is an injectable dermal filler used to produce instant volume while simultaneously stimulating collagen production in the treated area. Due to its density, it is known as a “liquid bone” filler and is ideal to treat areas such as the jawline, hands, or other generally more rigid areas to produce structure, shape, and contour.
Safety: Radiesse is FDA-approved as a safe and effective treatment to improve the appearance of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds. It is non-toxic, non-allergenic, and biocompatible, making it safe to use cosmetically and dermatologically when administered by a skilled and experienced board-certified physician.
Convenience: Radiesse injections typically take no longer than 20 minutes and come with minimal side effects or downtime. The treatments are quick, painless, effective, and convenient.
Cost: One 1 mL syringe of Radiesse may cost anywhere from $800 – $1200.
Efficacy: Radiesse results can be seen immediately and continue to improve over the following weeks. When administered by a knowledgeable doctor, Radiesse is effective in rejuvenating the face and hands by adding volume and providing shape and definition to the treated areas.
WHAT IS RADIESSE?
Radiesse face filler is an injectable biocompatible dermal filler made of calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHA), which stimulates your own collagen production and creates volume in the injected treatment area through collagenosis. In addition to the collagen that increases volume and tightens the skin over time, the physical gel of the filler itself offers immediate volumizing effects. Radiesse is used in multiple areas including the nasolabial folds, marionette lines, Radiesse for the neck, buttocks, and the dorsal surface of the hands. More than anything, Radiesse’s firm density (high G prime) is ideal to replicate bones and rigid structures of the face, such as the jawline, cheekbones, and temples.
Patients tend to notice significant differences with Radiesse filler before and after their treatment, with a rejuvenated and refreshed outcome.

WHY IS RADIESSE SO POPULAR?
As we age our faces and hands gradually show inevitable signs of aging, such as fat and volume loss, and wrinkles and folds resulting from a reduction in collagen production. While there is no true fountain of youth, the closest thing to it is the discovery of dermal fillers that are capable of transforming the face and body through carefully placed injections. Radiesse is one such filler and is used to deliver volume in the areas in which it is needed most, particularly in the nasolabial folds, jawline, and hands. This FDA-approved injectable is minimally invasive, safe, and effective, and is one of the longest-lasting dermal fillers on the market. By replenishing collagen overtime for extended benefits, Radiesse face filler is able to restore your natural youthful glow, allowing you to rejuvenate your face and hands in a safe and effective manner.
HOW DOES RADIESSE WORK?
Radiesse cosmetic filler is made of calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) gel microspheres consisting of ions of phosphate and calcium, giving the gel a structure that mimics connective tissue and bony structures. When Radiesse is injected into a given area, the gel itself allows for an immediate increase in volume, while the CaHA stimulates your natural collagen production, allowing your skin to produce more of its own volume over time. The CaHA is then absorbed by the body within 1-2 years.
WHAT IS RADIESSE USED FOR?
Radiesse is FDA approved to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and to rejuvenate the hands. Due to its firmer viscosity, it is often used for deeper furrows and folds in the face and for “bonier” areas such as the jawline and chin to provide excellent structure and definition. It may be used as a Radiesse cheek filler, though it is more commonly used in “harder” areas to replicate bony structures and outlines. Radiesse tear trough or Radiesse under eyes is very rare and would only be used if it was hyper diluted Radiesse. Radiesse before and after under eyes may only be performed by a skilled and experienced board-certified physician to ensure safe and desirable results.
A weak jawline may be perceived as visually unflattering, while a chiseled and angular mandible is generally considered beautiful and is one of the hallmarks of attractiveness and visual appeal. Radiesse is the only dermal filler that possesses the necessary technical specifications to allow reliable and reproducible jawline sculpting. Because it is the hardest and densest filler currently available it maintains the structure into which it is molded during the injections for the longest period of time compared to hyaluronic acid fillers that don’t possess similar biomechanical properties.
Other areas that may be injected with Radiesse include:
- Nose bridge augmentation
- Hand rejuvenation
- Cheekbones
- Jawline and chin
- Temples
- Nasolabial folds (smile lines)
- Smooth wrinkles and folds
- Radiesse for scars (to fill in deep scars)
- Butt enhancement
- Hyper diluted Radiesse neck
RADIESSE FOR HANDS
Many patients wonder how they can get rid of wrinkles in their aging hands to make them look more youthful. Radiesse is commonly used in the hands to restore lost volume, minimize the visibility of veins and tendons, and provide naturally smooth-looking hands. Radiesse filler before and after is injected in the hands will make a world’s difference as observed by countless patients.
RADIESSE FOR BUTT ENHANCEMENT
Radiesse can be injected into the buttocks to increase volume, tighten and smooth the skin, and lift and shape the buttocks and hip dips. Because of its minimally invasive nature, many patients opt for butt injections over a traditional and invasive Brazilian Butt Lift. Similar to Sculptra butt injections, Radiesse works by stimulating your own collagen production for results that grow over time.
DO CHEEK FILLERS STRETCH SKIN?
Radiesse injections in cheeks enhance the cheekbones. Dr. Schwarzburg always takes a “less is more” approach to his treatments to avoid overfilling the areas of concern. This way, it is highly unlikely for cheek fillers to ever stretch the skin.
DOES RADIESSE TREATMENT BUILD COLLAGEN?
Once injected into the selected area, your skin cells grow around the hydroxyapatite particles and stimulate your own collagen production through collagenosis, which continues on far beyond the initial session. The results will last you 9 months to 1 year or even longer.

WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR RADIESSE TREATMENT?
A good candidate for Radiesse is an overall healthy male or female adult looking to enhance certain features, such as the jawline, or add volume to appropriate areas of the face, such as the temples. It may also be used to help patients rejuvenate their hands, restore lost volume, and achieve an overall more youthful appearance.
The best way to find out whether you are a candidate for this procedure is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Schwarzburg, a board-certified cosmetic physician with the experience and skill to properly assess your aesthetic goals.
Contraindications:
While most people are candidates for Radiesse cosmetic filler, there are some contraindications to be aware of including:
- History of allergic reactions (or allergies to any of the ingredients in Radiesse)
- Bleeding disorders
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women
- History of herpes
- Skin infection in the treated area
If any of the above points apply to you, you may not be a candidate for Radiesse treatment.
HOW DO I PREPARE FOR RADIESSE?
Before you go in for your injections, you should let your provider know if you are taking any medications, blood thinners, warfarin, or aspirin, as these may cause excessive bleeding or bruising at the site of injection. If you are taking blood thinners, you will be advised to discontinue them for one week prior to your visit.
WHAT IS A RADIESSE PROCEDURE LIKE?
Consultation: Before the process, you will have a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Schwarzburg in which you can discuss your questions, concerns, problem areas, and procedure options. During your consultation, Dr. Schwarzburg will collect information on your medical history and additional factors such as your physical anatomy and current skincare regimen to help him determine the optimal treatment plan for you.
Procedure: Before the injection process, the treatment area will be cleaned and properly sanitized to avoid the risk of infection. Depending on the area to be treated, topical numbing cream containing lidocaine will be applied 15 minutes prior to the injection. Because Radiesse contains small amounts of lidocaine, the treatment itself will be overall more tolerable than dermal fillers that do not contain lidocaine. Your face and hands will be marked with a skin-safe surgical pen and Dr. Schwarzburg will use an ultrafine needle to inject these target areas, employing a detailed and precise injection strategy to produce the best possible outcome.
After your treatment, you will be provided with an ice pack to reduce swelling, and you may continue with regular activities as desired.
HOW LONG IS A RADIESSE PROCEDURE?
Radiesse injections typically take 20-45 minutes depending on the treatment area and the number of syringes needed.
ARE THERE ANY RISKS AND SIDE EFFECTS WITH RADIESSE PROBLEMS?
Radiesse is considered a nontoxic hypoallergenic product, however, there are still risks and potential side effects involved including swelling, bruising, redness, itching, tenderness, and infection at the injection site. Swelling, redness, and bruising are more common and subside within days after the initial injection.
More severe side effects involve the formation of nodules and in the hands initial difficulty with movement and sensation loss.
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER RADIESSE – IS THERE AFTERCARE OR DOWNTIME?
After your appointment, you will be able to return to normal activities immediately. However, you should avoid strenuous exercise, direct sunlight, and heat for 24 hours or until swelling and redness have subsided. You may apply an ice pack to the treated area to reduce swelling, and if there is bruising present, a warm compress on day 2.
HOW MUCH DOES RADIESSE COST?
The cost of Radiesse varies depending on the amount of filler needed, the treatment area, and the qualifications and skill level of your injector. This may also depend on your geographical location, for example, a board-certified cosmetic surgeon in NYC will likely charge more than a nurse in Upstate New York. On average, 1 syringe of Radiesse costs anywhere from $800 – $1200.
CAN I COMBINE RADIESSE WITH OTHER TREATMENTS?
Radiesse can be used on its own or in combination with other nonsurgical procedures. Depending on the patient’s goal, for Radiesse skin tightening and facial rejuvenation, Dr. Schwarzburg often combines Radiesse injections with Botox injections in NYC to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles. Radiesse is also frequently paired with medical-grade skin tightening such as Secret RF microneedling and Fraxel laser, to enhance collagen production and improve the quality of the skin. Radiesse does not have any negative side effects when used in conjunction with other treatments. Dr. Schwarzburg will develop a customized treatment plan complete with all the nonsurgical procedures necessary to achieve his patient’s optimal results.
RADIESSE VS. JUVEDERM
Juvederm is a hyaluronic acid-based filler that immediately enhances volume upon injection. It is a much softer dermal filler that can be used in delicate areas such as the lips and under the eyes.
Radiesse is calcium-based and harder in texture, making it less ideal for such areas. Rather than softer facial tissue corrections, Radiesse produces the best results in more structured and rigid areas, such as the jawline, cheekbones, and temples to imitate this natural tissue.
As a hyaluronic acid filler, Juvederm can be dissolved using hyaluronidase injections, while Radiesse can not.
You may be asking yourself, is Radiesse better than Juvederm? The answer is that there is no single filler that is better than the other. Both Radiesse and Juvederm are excellent dermal fillers used to rejuvenate the face, though they differ in chemical composition and are used in different treatment areas.
WHY IS RADIESSE REFERRED TO AS “LIQUID BONE”?
Radiesse is made of calcium hydroxylapatite gel microspheres which consist of phosphate and calcium ions. This formulation results in a denser consistency that resembles the structure of bones once settled. As such, it is used to enhance areas such as the jawline, for a more realistic looking and feeling enhancement.
WHAT IS HYPER DILUTE RADIESSE AND WHERE CAN IT BE USED?
Hyperdilute Radiesse is a mixture of sterile saline solution, lidocaine, and Radiesse. This combination makes it an easily spreadable biostimulator that is able to cover a larger surface area, unlike Radiesse in its pure form alone. This allows the calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres to spread and produce volume and stimulate new collagen growth as the microspheres dissolve, leaving patients with long-lasting rejuvenation.
Hyperdilute Radiesse can be used in various treatment areas such as the face, neck, buttocks, décolletage, knees, and hands, all of which cover a larger area, rather than a few fine lines or wrinkles.
The effects of Radiesse alone and Radiesse in its diluted form (for example, 1 mL of product diluted with 1 mL of diluent) differ in that the diluted version disperses over a larger area, minimizing the effects of the CaHA microspheres and their ability to provide instant volume. When undiluted Radiesse is injected into an area, these microspheres cause instantaneous volume increase. An additional difference is that Hyperdilute Radiesse is typically administered using a cannula, while Radiesse in its purest form is injected using a fine needle for ultimate precision.
WHO MAKES RADIESSE COSMETIC FILLER?
Radiesse NYC was FDA-approved in 2006 to treat moderate to severe facial wrinkles and in 2015 to rejuvenate the hands. It is manufactured by Merz Aesthetics, which is also known for its production of Xeomin, Belotero, and Ultherapy. Only board-certified doctors are able to order Radiesse for treatment.
HOW MUCH RADIESSE DO I NEED?
The amount of dermal filler needed is completely variable and depends on the treatment area, the severity of your case, and your desired outcome. You may need anywhere from 1 – 4 syringes in a given area.
DOES RADIESSE HURT?
Radiesse injections are fairly painless. Not only is a topical numbing cream often applied to the treatment area, but the formulation of the product itself contains lidocaine, making the overall process more tolerable.
WHEN WILL I SEE MY RADIESSE RESULTS?
Radiesse is immediately evident upon injection. However, because it works by stimulating collagen production as well, your results will become enhanced over the course of 4 – 6 weeks after your initial session.
WHAT WILL MY RADIESSE INJECTIONS BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOS LOOK LIKE?
Before your Radiesse procedure, you might have deep wrinkles and folds in your face or have signs of aging such as wrinkles and prominent veins in your hands. You may also be lacking jawline definition or prominence in your chin, or volume in your temples making you appear older. After your Radiesse injections, these aesthetic concerns will be at a minimum or fully eliminated, leaving you with a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance. When Radiesse acne scars before and after results become evident, you will notice significant smoothing of your skin, similar to when Radiesse for cellulite is used.
RADIESSE FILLER, HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?
You may be wondering, is Radiesse Permanent? Typically the results of Radiesse face filler can last anywhere from 9 months to one year and occasionally even beyond the one-year mark. Because Radiesse is not permanent, Dr. Schwarzburg recommends yearly follow-ups or a touch-up every 9 – 12 months to maintain your results without allowing them to fully fade.
CAN RADIESSE FILLER BE DISSOLVED?
Radiesse is a calcium-based filler and may last anywhere from 9 months to 2 years. While many dermal fillers (specifically those that are hyaluronic acid-based) can be dissolved, Radiesse cannot. Hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers may be dissolved using hyaluronidase injections, which immediately reverses their effect. There is no filler removal for Radiesse.
IS IT COVERED BY INSURANCE?
Radiesse is considered an elective cosmetic procedure and is not covered by insurance.
IS RADIESSE SAFE?
Radiesse is FDA approved as a safe and effective treatment for deep lines and folds in the midface as well as a minimally invasive option for hand rejuvenation. It is imperative for your Radiesse to be administered by a board certified and experienced injector to minimize possible risks and side effects.
WHAT ARE PROS AND CONS
Pros:
- Non surgical procedure
- Minimally invasive treatment
- Lasts longer than most dermal fillers
- Highest density, which is ideal for jawline contouring
Cons:
- Not permanent
- Not ideal for all areas of the face
- Not reversible
TAKEAWAY
Radiesse is an injectable calcium based dermal filler used to “fill in” deep creases and folds in the midface and hollowness in the temples, rejuvenate the hands, and act as a minimally invasive butt lift. This substance is FDA approved as a safe and effective treatment for all of the above, given that it is administered by an experienced and skilled board certified cosmetic physician. Downtime and side effects are minimal and results are immediate, lasting up to 2 years post-injection.
HOW CAN I GET STARTED WITH MY RADIESSE TREATMENT?
If you are looking to get your Radiesse, Dr. Schwarzburg at Skinly Aesthetics is your answer. With several years of experience and a wide range of patients at his boutique medical spa located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in New York, Dr. Schwarzburg possesses the skill and experience to perform Radiesse treatments successfully and safely on his patients. Dr. Schwarzburg is adamant about the safety and comfort of his patients and thus, takes his time before, during, and after the procedure to ensure optimal and satisfactory results. If you are interested in scheduling a consultation with Dr. Schwarzburg, please contact us at Skinly Aesthetics at info@skinlyaesthetics.com, or call or text us at (212) 774-4264.
Contents
- 1 WHAT IS RADIESSE?
- 2 WHY IS RADIESSE SO POPULAR?
- 3 HOW DOES RADIESSE WORK?
- 4 WHAT IS RADIESSE USED FOR?
- 5 RADIESSE FOR HANDS
- 6 RADIESSE FOR BUTT ENHANCEMENT
- 7 DO CHEEK FILLERS STRETCH SKIN?
- 8 DOES RADIESSE TREATMENT BUILD COLLAGEN?
- 9 WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR RADIESSE TREATMENT?
- 10 HOW DO I PREPARE FOR RADIESSE?
- 11 WHAT IS A RADIESSE PROCEDURE LIKE?
- 12 HOW LONG IS A RADIESSE PROCEDURE?
- 13 ARE THERE ANY RISKS AND SIDE EFFECTS WITH RADIESSE PROBLEMS?
- 14 WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER RADIESSE – IS THERE AFTERCARE OR DOWNTIME?
- 15 HOW MUCH DOES RADIESSE COST?
- 16 CAN I COMBINE RADIESSE WITH OTHER TREATMENTS?
- 17 RADIESSE VS. JUVEDERM
- 18 WHY IS RADIESSE REFERRED TO AS “LIQUID BONE”?
- 19 WHAT IS HYPER DILUTE RADIESSE AND WHERE CAN IT BE USED?
- 20 WHO MAKES RADIESSE COSMETIC FILLER?
- 21 HOW MUCH RADIESSE DO I NEED?
- 22 DOES RADIESSE HURT?
- 23 WHEN WILL I SEE MY RADIESSE RESULTS?
- 24 WHAT WILL MY RADIESSE INJECTIONS BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOS LOOK LIKE?
- 25 RADIESSE FILLER, HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?
- 26 CAN RADIESSE FILLER BE DISSOLVED?
- 27 IS IT COVERED BY INSURANCE?
- 28 IS RADIESSE SAFE?
- 29 WHAT ARE PROS AND CONS
- 30 TAKEAWAY
- 31 HOW CAN I GET STARTED WITH MY RADIESSE TREATMENT?