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Does Radiesse Build Collagen?

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Healthy, youthful skin is characterized by a beautiful, glowing complexion. Unfortunately, the first signs of aging usually fade a previously radiant glow. At Aesthetic Surgery and Dermatology of Cherry Creek in Denver, CO...

Healthy, youthful skin is characterized by a beautiful, glowing complexion. Unfortunately, the first signs of aging usually fade a previously radiant glow. At Aesthetic Surgery and Dermatology of Cherry Creek in Denver, CO, we offer Radiesse, a special injectable dermal filler that helps women restore the radiant, glowing skin of their youth. Here’s what you need to know.

What Is Radiesse?

Radiesse is a dermal filler designed to reverse the visible signs of aging caused by volume loss, such as wrinkles, fine lines, and loose skin. It is similar to other dermal fillers in that it reverses the visible signs of aging caused by volume loss. However, there is one major difference between this filler and others.

Does Radiesse Build Collagen?

Most dermal fillers restore youthful volume and elasticity to the skin temporarily. That said, most fillers only last up to six months. On the other hand, Radiesse encourages your skin to produce extra collagen. This smooth gel filler primarily comprises calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres.

These microspheres kick your skin’s natural collagen production process into overdrive so your skin, essentially, creates its own filler, healing itself from inside out. Thanks to this, you can expect your results to last for a couple of years.

Benefits of This Treatment

There are many benefits associated with Radiesse. It is a highly effective anti-aging treatment that provides natural-looking results every time. Additionally, it can effectively correct several age-related skin concerns.

What’s really exciting about this injectable is how many areas it can be applied safely and effectively. For instance, it can be used to erase expression lines around the eyes, mouth, and forehead. Additionally, it can volumize hollow cheeks and temples. Here are some other benefits:

Non-Surgical

In the past, the only way to reverse the signs of aging was to undergo several invasive anti-aging procedures. On the other hand, Radiesse can reverse the signs of aging in multiple regions with nothing more than a few quick, painless injections.

This gentle treatment uses a very fine-gauge needle to administer the injectable microspheres without pain or discomfort. Instead of incisions and skin and muscle manipulation, results are delivered through comfortable injections made in a few locations per targeted area. Note, this simple outpatient treatment requires minimal downtime and is performed in our comfortable office.

Proprietary Formula

One thing that sets this filler apart from other fillers is the primary ingredient. No other dermal filler on the market contains calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres. Few other anti-aging injectables help your body heal and rejuvenate itself from the inside out.

This unique formula shaves years off of your face immediately thanks to the volume added by the filler. Then, it encourages your skin to produce natural-looking, long-lasting results that far outlast the filler that was injected initially.

Long-Lasting Results

As noted above, you can expect your results to last approximately two years after your final results become apparent. How quickly your skin responds to the calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres and produces extra collagen depends on several factors, including your age. That said, you may see your final results within four to six weeks of the treatment. In other words, you can expect to not need a follow-up treatment for around 25 months after your first session.

What to Expect Before Your Session Initial Appointment

Your initial appointment is the first step in the anti-aging process. During this first appointment, we will evaluate the health and aesthetics of your skin. We will focus on the problem areas you describe to us. At this time, you should talk to us about all of your aesthetic goals. Some of your goals may be corrected by other injectables, such as BOTOX or Dysport, because they are caused by overactive muscles. We can help you correct these cosmetic concerns, too.

We will also review your current health and health history at this time. It is important to get a complete picture of your health and the drugs and supplements you are currently taking to determine whether you are a good candidate for this treatment.

Pre-Treatment Guidelines

You must take several simple preparation steps in advance of your treatment to enjoy the best possible process. Here are some of the preparation steps you will be expected to complete during the 72 hours preceding treatment:
Avoiding blood-thinning drugs and supplements

  • Avoiding retinol-containing products
  • Avoiding tobacco and alcohol
  • Consuming no more than 2.3 grams of sodium daily
  • Consuming no more than 400 mg of caffeine daily

Depending on your current health and health history, you may need to take other preparation steps. For example, if you have a history of sunburn, you should make wearing sunscreen for two weeks before your session a top priority. Additionally, you may need to take steps to prevent a viral skin infection before your session if you have a history of oral herpes and want to receive injections around your mouth.

What to Expect During Your Session Cleansing

The first step in your treatment process is cleansing your skin. Before your injections begin, we will remove any cosmetics you came into our office wearing. For example, we will remove any moisturizers or makeup you wore to your appointment. We will also use an alcohol-based cleanser to remove any dirt or oil trapped in your pores.

Numbing

Once your skin is sanitized, we will apply a topical numbing cream to the areas targeted for treatment. This cream ensures you feel nothing throughout the injection portion of the process. However, you should be aware that the cream will take several minutes to numb the skin completely. Furthermore, you should be aware that there are no side effects associated with this topical anesthetic. It is safe for you to drive after receiving this anesthetic.

Injections

The final step in your anti-aging treatment process is the injection portion of the process. This step occurs once your skin is numbed completely. Depending on your aesthetic goals, you may only need a few injections placed in strategic locations in one area. That said, you may need nine painless injections administered into strategic locations in three areas.

Depending on your aesthetic goals, the injections may take between 15 and 30 minutes. Your injections will take longer if you also need to receive injectable muscle relaxants to achieve your desired aesthetic. Ew can give you a better idea about how long your session should last during your initial consultation. That said, most sessions can be completed in fewer than 60 minutes.

What to Expect After Your Treatment Session

Once your injections are complete, we will discuss your post-treatment care guidelines. For instance, you should avoid tobacco products and alcohol during the first three days following your treatment. Furthermore, you should wear adequate sun protection during the two weeks following your injection session.

Be advised, you should make a habit of applying sunscreen regularly for the rest of your life. Whether you tan or get freckles and sunspots after spending time in the sun, the changes you notice in your skin tone are sun damage. Over time, sun damage can cause premature skin aging. In other words, your results won’t last as long as they should if you don’t wear sunscreen consistently. Here are some other post-treatment guidelines you must adhere to:

  • Don’t wear makeup within 24 hours of treatment
  • Don’t take blood-thinning drugs or supplements for 72 hours
  • Sleep on your back with your head elevated above your heart
  • Don’t apply a lot of pressure to the treatment area for 72 hours
  • Regulate caffeine and sodium consumption
  • Avoid excessive sweating for 24 hours

Results

As noted above, you will notice a significant increase in localized volume as soon as your session is over. That said, most people enjoy their final results after four to six weeks of their injection session. However, we’d like to reiterate that several factors affect how quickly you can enjoy your final results. If you’re in your 20s or 30s, you may see your final results in three weeks. If you’re in your 50s or 60s, you may see your final results after eight weeks.

Am I a Good Candidate for This Treatment?

We will determine whether you are a good candidate for this treatment during your initial consultation. Many factors are affecting whether you qualify for this treatment, including your current health, health history, and aesthetic goals.

To reiterate, this treatment is designed to reverse aging signs caused by volume loss. If you are fairly healthy and have concerns about volume loss and overactive muscles, you may be considered a good candidate for Radiesse and BOTOX or Dysport.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Injectable Muscle Relaxants?

We will advise you on whether you are a good candidate for injectable muscle relaxants during your initial Radiesse appointment if some of the cosmetic concerns you describe are caused by overactive muscles. It is important to be fairly healthy to qualify for injectable muscle relaxants as with injectable dermal fillers. For example, you must be healthy enough to go several days without taking oral muscle relaxants or certain sleep aids.

What Is the Injectable Muscle Relaxant Process Like?

The injectable muscle relaxant process is very similar to the injectable dermal filler process. First, your skin will be cleansed. Then, your skin will be numbed. The most notable difference between the two treatments is injectable muscle relaxants usually involve five injections per targeted area.

What’s great about injectable muscle relaxants is you can safely combine the treatment with injectable dermal fillers in the same session. This significantly reduces the amount of time it will take to achieve your desired aesthetic. Like injectable dermal fillers, there are few restrictions following injectable muscle relaxants.

How Soon Can You See the Results of Injectable Muscle Relaxants?

You can see the results of injectable muscle relaxants 24 to 96 hours after the injections.

Restore Your Youthful Radiance Today

Are you ready to reverse the signs of aging and feel confident in your skin again? If so, contact us today at Aesthetic Surgery and Dermatology of Cherry Creek in Denver, CO to schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Adrienne E. Stewart, MD to see if Radiesse is right for you.

If you’re looking to restore volume to your skin, you can trust Dr. Stewart. With over 29 years of experience, including experience as Chief Resident during her dermatology residency, she has the knowledge and skill to help you reverse your cosmetic concerns.

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