Half of the patients who come for Radiesse think it's the same as hyaluronic acid
Half of the patients who come for Radiesse think it's the same as hyaluronic acid
As we enter the changing season, my clinic
is starting to get busy again with patients saying
"My cheeks seem to have sunken dramatically."
"I want to get filler,
but I don't want it to look obvious
and I want something long-lasting"
I hear this from so many patients.
That's why Radiesse inquiries have increased significantly lately,
but when I actually consult with them,
surprisingly few people properly understand
what kind of filler this is.
Today, I'd like to explain this in detail.
They may look similar, but the key difference is important
Radiesse is an injectable filler made from
a mineral component called calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHA).
Unlike commonly known hyaluronic acid fillers
like Restylane and Juvederm,
Radiesse's main component is
calcium-based minerals that are also found
in our bones and teeth.
So the way it works
and the way it dissolves are different.
Understanding this difference makes choosing easier
Key Point of This Article
Radiesse, with its calcium hydroxyapatite component, provides immediate volume while stimulating collagen production.
It's a product that combines the benefits of both filler and skin booster.
The real appeal of Radiesse is that
it performs the roles of both
"filler" and "skin booster" at once.
When calcium hydroxyapatite particles
are injected, they immediately provide volume,
while surrounding tissues recognize these particles
and start producing new collagen.
In other words, on the day of injection
you'll immediately feel the sunken areas filling up,
and after 2-3 months, the skin itself
becomes firmer with improved elasticity—
it's a dual-action structure.
Last month, a 47-year-old woman came to me saying,
"I've had hyaluronic acid filler
in my cheeks four times at another clinic,
but it goes back to normal after just 6 months."
Upon examining her skin, rather than volume loss,
the skin itself had become thinner and sagged.
For patients like this, I recommend Radiesse,
usually diluted 1:1 or 1:2
using the hyperdilute technique
to spread it widely like applying cream.
After about 3 sessions like this,
quite a few patients tell me
"It feels like my skin went back 10 years."
Hyaluronic acid draws in moisture
to "fill" volume,
while Radiesse is closer to
"rebuilding" the skin.
In terms of duration,
while hyaluronic acid fillers last an average of 9-12 months,
Radiesse maintains its effects for about 12-18 months.
Dr. Wi Young-jin's Key Summary
Radiesse should be approached not as
"a filler to fill sunken areas" but as
"a procedure to rebuild the skin."
Immediate volume + long-term collagen regeneration—
this is the first option I suggest to patients
who want both benefits simultaneously.
This is how I categorize cases in my clinic
The approach for Radiesse varies quite a bit
depending on each case.
For some patients, I inject the concentrate deeply,
for others, I dilute it and spread it widely.
Not understanding this distinction leads to significantly different results.
But this isn't always a good thing.
Due to Radiesse's particle characteristics,
once injected, unlike hyaluronic acid,
it cannot be reversed with
a dissolving agent (hyaluronidase).
That's why we don't use it in
thin and sensitive areas like lips or under-eyes,
and if the injection layer and amount are misjudged,
nodules (lumps) can form.
However, when a practitioner
accurately understands anatomy and
selects appropriate indications,
it can create changes in skin quality itself
that cannot be achieved with hyaluronic acid.
The three most common questions in my clinic
Q1. Is Radiesse immediately noticeable? I really hate obvious results.
A. If we inject the concentrate into deep layers,
you may look slightly swollen on the day of treatment,
but it becomes natural within 2-3 days.
The diluted, widely-spread technique
is barely noticeable from day one.
The change is more like
"I don't know what you did, but your face looks brighter."
Q2. How many sessions do I need, and how long does it last?
A. For volume purposes,
one session is often sufficient,
and the average duration is 12-18 months.
For skin quality improvement (hyperdilute) purposes,
we proceed with 2-3 sessions at 4-6 week intervals,
and in this case, the collagen production effects
can last over 2 years for some patients.
Q3. What are the side effects? I heard nodules can form.
A. The main concern is
the nodules you mentioned.
Injecting into thin skin, highly mobile areas,
or too close to the epidermis
can create palpable lumps.
That's why maintaining anatomically safe layers
is important,
and for about a week after treatment,
it's best to avoid vigorous facial massage
or sleeping face-down.
Rarely, vascular complications have been reported,
so I recommend receiving treatment
from practitioners skilled in anatomy.
If you're unsure whether you need volume or skin quality improvement, please send photos via KakaoTalk. This was Dr. Wi Young-jin.
