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Radiesse
Injectable Calcium Hydroxylapatite ("Radiesse") is a new injectable long lasting product for plumping lips and
filling lines, depressions, and wrinkles. Whereas most available products such as Collagen only last 3-6 months,
Radiesse has the potential to last for years. The good news is that the product is FDA approved for other uses
(vocal cord injection, tissue marker), and the company (Bioform, Inc.) is working with the FDA for approval for
these indications. In other words, this is an off label but acceptable usage of this implant.
Dr. Miles Gravier (North Atlanta Plastic Surgery) and Dr, David Jansen (Tulane University Plastic Surgery) have
been the main clinical investigators for this product. Dr. Graivier has injected more than 120 patients over the
last 7 months including more than 90 in the nasolabial fold (the line adjacent to the nose and mouth), more than
60 patient's lips, and more than 40 in the vertical lines surrounding the mouth. Other areas injected are the
corner of the mouth, chin lines, lines between the eyes, acne scars, small cheek and chin augmentations, and areas
of facial atrophy. People have come from all over the US and even from England to see Dr. Graivier for this
treatment.
Dr. Graview and Dr. Jansen first introduced Radiesse in their instruction course "Lip Augmentation: State of the
Art", at the American society of Plastic Surgeons meeting in November, 2002. Dr. Graivier has made an instruction
video and has weekly discussions with plastic surgeons and dermatologists from around the country to teach proper
technique and offer guidance regarding this product. Dr. Graivier was quoted in the January ALLURE magazine story
about Radiesse and has been interviewed by COSMETIC SURGERY TIMES (a publication for physicians). Dr. Graivier and
Dr. Jansen have authored a chapter in an upcoming plastic surgery text on lip fillers. Dr. Graivier and Dr. Jansen
have taught their techniques at meetings in the U.S. and Mexico, and have been invited to teach at upcoming
meetings in South America and in Europe.
So far the response to Radiesse injections has been extremely positive. The process is simple with the injection
taking approximately 30 minutes in the Dr.'s office. Swelling and bruising are variable with more in the lips,
but most people can put on make-up and be out in public immediately with mild swelling for 24-72 hours.
Laboratory studies have shown that the product has remained for 3 years and it has been present in patients 7
years after injection in the bladder neck. The longest follow-up for injection as a facial filler has been 2
years in an Italian study. Dr. Graivier has the largest patient experience of any physician using Radiesse.
Radiesse appears to offer a simple and long lasting solution for filling lips and lines. Because calcium
hydroxylapatite is a normal constituent of bone, is should not elicit a chronic inflammatory or immune response.
Additionally, the gel carrier doesn't require allergy testing such as required with collagen.
Q. I am tired of the deep folds between my nose and my mouth, the vertical lines above my upper
lip and my small lips. I have heard there is a new product being used that will "fill up" these areas and is long
lasting.
A. RADIESSE (injectable Calcium Hydroxylapatite cohesive implant for soft tissue augmentation) is the NEW
product you may be hearing of. This is a fantastic product for plumping the lips and filling lines, depressions,
and wrinkles. Whereas available products such as Collagen only last 3-6 months, Radiesse has the potential to last
for years (most see results lasting 1-7 years). Radiesse can be used in virtually any area that you may want to
decrease wrinkling with the exception of crows feet around the eyes (the product is too thick for the thin tissue
in this area). This product is also a wonderful filler for scars, including acne scars.
Kathleen Stegman, R.N, at Midwest Medical Aesthetics has studied this injection procedure with one of the foremost
authorities on this product in the United States and is now offering this procedure at MIDWEST MEDICAL AESTHETICS
CENTER.
The procedure is a simple, in office procedure. The area to be treated is anesthetized by local or regional blocks
and the area desired is "filled" with this material with a fine needled syringe. The correction results are seen
immediately although mild swelling will be present for 24-48 hours. You may return immediately to normal
activities. No skin test is needed since the product is biocompatible with the body. It is the same mineral
component as bone and teeth. Radiance has been used in humans for a long time in prosthetic implants in dental,
facial, and orthopedic surgery.
A little bit of product goes a long way with Radiesse. The area injected is not "over corrected" as it is with
Collagen. A one to one correction is done at the time of treatment. Studies of the product show that the material
remains soft and the corrected area is maintained nicely over time.
Try a nonsurgical facelift that will last 1-2 years using Radiesse. In less than 45 minutes, Kathleen can take
years off of your looks! No downtime! Unbelievable but true!
* additional savings if more than 4 syringes are used!
