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How Radiesse Works
Radiesse works in two stages. The gel carrier delivers immediate volume and lift on the day of treatment. As that carrier is gradually absorbed, the calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres remain and act as a scaffold, prompting your body to build new collagen around them.
That second stage is why Radiesse is described as a biostimulator rather than a simple filler. The lasting result is largely your own tissue.
Who Radiesse Is For
Radiesse suits patients who want structure and stimulation together:
- Hand rejuvenation, where it restores volume over tendons and veins
- Jawline and chin definition
- Deeper folds requiring firm support
- Improving skin quality alongside volume
It is thicker than hyaluronic acid filler and is not used in delicate areas such as the lips or tear troughs.
What to Expect
Treatment takes 30 to 45 minutes. Topical numbing is applied, and Radiesse is available with lidocaine included. Placement is with a needle or cannula depending on the area.
Results are visible immediately, with some swelling in the first few days.
Aftercare
Swelling and bruising are common for several days. Your provider may ask you to massage the area, particularly after hand treatment. Avoid strenuous activity and significant heat for 24 to 48 hours.
The collagen-building effect develops over the following months, with results generally lasting a year or longer.
Session Length
30 to 45 minutes
Downtime
30 to 45 minutes
Session Count
One session, with touch-ups as needed
Results Timeline
Immediate volume, collagen building over months
Results Duration
A year or longer
Device or Brand
Radiesse® (calcium hydroxylapatite, Merz Aesthetics)
FDA Status
FDA approved dermal filler, including for hand volume restoration
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Radiesse reversible?
No. Unlike hyaluronic acid fillers, Radiesse cannot be dissolved, which is why conservative placement by an experienced injector matters.
Why is Radiesse used on hands?
Hands lose volume with age, making tendons and veins prominent. Radiesse restores that padding and stimulates collagen, and hand treatment is one of its most established uses.
How long does it last?
A year or longer for most patients, with the collagen response extending the result beyond the material itself.
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Dr. Todd A. Besnoff, MD
Medical Director
Top Doctor in Tampa Bay
Dr. Besnoff has been referred to as one of the Top Doctors in Tampa Bay (as seen in the recent Tampa Bay Magazine Top Doctors issue) and Top 100 Aesthetic Provider in America! Dr. Besnoff has assisted and/or performed hundreds of thousands of surgical procedures since 1995 in specialties such as plastic surgery, gynecology, tissue donation and life-saving emergency treatments. In fact, Ultimate Image has been known to have performed more BOTOX® / Dysport® treatments in Tampa Bay than any other provider.