Can Radiesse Be Dissolved and How to Do It?

Radiesse is a popular non-hyaluronic acid filler widely used in aesthetic treatments to smooth wrinkles, restore volume, and enhance facial contours. While its long-lasting results and biocompatibility make it an attractive option for those seeking non-surgical rejuvenation, there are situations where patients may desire to reverse or adjust the effects of Radiesse.

This article explores the nature of Radiesse, its uses, and most importantly, whether and how it can be dissolved. While other cosmetic fillers, such as hyaluronic acid-based ones, have known dissolving agents, the case for Radiesse is more complex, and understanding the process is essential for both patients and practitioners.

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What Is Radiesse?

Radiesse belongs to FDA-approved calcium hydroxyapatite body and facial fillers suspended in a water-based gel. Calcium hydroxyapatite is a biocompatible substance that is naturally found in human bones, making it highly compatible with the body and unlikely to cause allergic reactions. It is primarily used in aesthetic practices to address facial wrinkles, folds, and volume loss, as well as in non-surgical contouring injections for chin or jawline enhancement. Radiesse is unique compared to other dermal fillers because it not only provides immediate volume but also stimulates the body’s natural collagen production, leading to longer-lasting results.

Radiesse is thicker than many other cosmetic fillers, giving it a firmer texture that is ideal for restoring deeper facial structures or enhancing contours that require more substantial lifting. This characteristic makes it particularly effective for facial areas that need more structural support. Over time, as the gel carrier breaks down, the CaHA microspheres are absorbed by the body, leaving behind new collagen, thus extending the filler’s effects well beyond the initial injection.

In most cases, one or several treatments that involve Radiesse create natural results without causing any persistent swelling, vascular occlusion, or other problems (especially when performed by board-certified specialists). At the same time, however, the most common side effects after a Radiesse injection include mild bruising, redness, and pain around the area to which the filler has been injected.

What Aesthetic Concerns Does Radiesse Address?

Radiesse filler injections are primarily used to address the visible signs of aging, particularly those related to volume loss and deep wrinkle formation. Common concerns for having Radiesse injected are:

• Nasolabial Folds. These are the deep creases that run from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth, which can become more pronounced with age. Radiesse is often used to fill these folds and soften their appearance.
• Marionette Lines. These are the lines that extend from the corners of the mouth down toward the chin, and Radiesse can smooth these lines to create a more youthful appearance.
• Poorly Defined Jawline and Chin. Radiesse is frequently used to add definition to the jawline and chin, providing non-surgical enhancement for those seeking a more sculpted profile.
• Sunken Cheeks. Volume loss in the mid-face is a common sign of aging, and Radiesse is effective in restoring fullness to the cheeks, giving the face a lifted and rejuvenated appearance.
• Wrinkled Hands. Radiesse is also FDA-approved for use in the hands, helping to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and tendons that become more visible with age.

These diverse applications make Radiesse a versatile option for patients looking to address multiple signs of aging or enhance specific facial features. Its ability to stimulate collagen production further supports longer-lasting and natural-looking results.

As an experienced board-certified injector would mention, Radiesse belongs to facial fillers that should not typically be used for lips. So, if your main desire is to create fuller lips, it might be reasonable to have an HA filler injected.

How Does Radiesse Work?

Radiesse works by immediately providing volume and structural support to the treated area through the CaHA microspheres. Upon injection, the gel carrier in which these microspheres are suspended fills the targeted area, providing instant results. This immediate volumizing effect helps smooth out wrinkles and restore lost facial volume.

The second mechanism of Radiesse comes into play as the body metabolizes the gel carrier. The CaHA microspheres remain in place and stimulate fibroblasts – cells responsible for collagen production – to produce new collagen over time. Collagen is a critical component of healthy, youthful skin, but its production decreases with age, leading to sagging skin, wrinkles, and volume loss. Radiesse helps counteract these effects by encouraging the body to rebuild collagen, which provides a longer-lasting improvement in skin texture, firmness, and volume.

Over time, as the body continues to absorb the CaHA microspheres, the newly produced collagen takes its place, allowing the effects of the injection to last up to 18 months or longer in some cases. This dual action of immediate volumizing and long-term collagen stimulation makes Radiesse unique compared to other fillers.

To make the process of having Radiesse injected as comfortable for a patient as possible, a healthcare provider might use a numbing solution (such as a topical anesthetic) around the area of the filler injections.

How Long Does Radiesse Last?

Radiesse is known for its long-lasting effects compared to many other dermal fillers. On average, the results of a Radiesse treatment can last between 12 to 18 months, though the exact duration varies from patient to patient. Factors such as the area treated, the amount of filler used, and the individual’s metabolic rate can influence how long the effects remain visible. For instance, areas with more movement, like around the mouth, may experience a slightly shorter duration, while areas with less mobility, such as the jawline or cheeks, often retain the filler’s benefits for a longer period.

A significant advantage of Radiesse is its ability to stimulate collagen production in the skin. While the immediate volumizing effects are due to the calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres and gel carrier, the filler also promotes the body’s natural collagen synthesis. This means that even after the filler itself has been absorbed by the body, the newly produced collagen can continue to support and rejuvenate the skin, further extending the overall effects of the treatment. Many patients find that periodic touch-up injection procedures can help maintain their results over time.

Is It Possible to Dissolve Radiesse?

Unlike hyaluronic acid-based fillers, which can be dissolved using an enzyme called hyaluronidase, Radiesse cannot be easily dissolved. Since Radiesse is composed of calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres, which do not have a known enzyme to dissolve them, reversing its effects is more complicated. Once Radiesse is injected, it must break down naturally over time.

The inability to easily reverse Radiesse can be a drawback for some patients. For instance, if too much filler is injected, if it is placed incorrectly, or if a patient simply changes their mind about the treatment, it is not as straightforward to reverse the effects as it would be with other types of fillers. Therefore, it is crucial for patients considering Radiesse to work with an experienced practitioner who can provide precise placement and dosing to minimize the risk of side effects or dissatisfaction with the results.

The majority of dermal filler products (including body and facial fillers) are based on HA. Therefore, experienced injectors can achieve their complete dissolution with the help of hyaluronidase injections. At the same time, however, a CaHa filler (Radiesse) should not be addressed by hyaluronidase.

How to Dissolve Fillers Based on Calcium Hydroxyapatite?

While there is no specific enzyme or simple procedure for dissolving Radiesse (like there is for hyaluronic acid fillers), there are methods to mitigate or reverse its effects in certain areas and cases. Here are the 5 main approaches most patients can take to dissolve the filler:

1. Wait for Natural Degradation. The most straightforward solution for patients who are unhappy with their Radiesse results (or have undergone botched filler jobs) is to wait for the filler to dissolve naturally. As the body metabolizes the filler, both the gel carrier and the CaHA microspheres will eventually be absorbed by the body. This process can take several months to over a year, depending on the amount injected and the individual’s metabolic rate. In the meantime, patients can monitor the results and wait for the filler to dissipate.
2. Undergo a Steroid Injection. In some cases where overcorrection or nodules occur, a healthcare provider may recommend steroid injections (for instance, sodium thiosulfate injections). Steroids can help reduce inflammation, and in some instances, break down the filler to a certain degree. Thus, injecting sodium thiosulfate to dissolve Radiesse is generally possible. However, this method is not guaranteed to work quickly or effectively in all cases, and it carries the risk of side effects such as skin thinning or discoloration.
3. Remove the Filler Surgically. For more severe cases where Radiesse causes complications such as granulomas (small, localized inflammatory reactions), surgical intervention may be necessary. This is a rare and more invasive approach but may be required if the filler leads to significant issues that cannot be addressed through non-surgical means.
4. Try Out Massage and Ultrasound. In some cases, practitioners may recommend therapeutic massage or ultrasound treatments to help soften the filler after a botched procedure and speed up the body’s natural absorption process. While these methods will not dissolve Radiesse, they may help redistribute the filler or improve its integration with the surrounding tissue. Ultrasound, in particular, has been shown to improve blood flow to the area, potentially aiding in the breakdown of the filler.
5. Correct the Result by Injecting Additional Fillers. In situations where Radiesse leads to uneven results or asymmetry, some practitioners may use additional injections of small amounts of hyaluronic acid fillers to correct the issue. This approach is not about dissolving Radiesse, but rather about masking or adjusting its effects to achieve a more balanced aesthetic outcome.

Questions like “How to get rid of Radiesse faster?” or “How to get rid of Radiesse lumps?” should be discussed exclusively by an experienced injector. In many cases, they require an individual approach, which is why they should be discussed personally during the consultation.

A Bottom Line

Radiesse is a great filler that provides both immediate volume and long-term collagen stimulation, making it a popular choice for addressing wrinkles, volume loss, and facial contouring. However, unlike hyaluronic acid fillers, Radiesse cannot be easily dissolved, which may pose challenges for patients who are unhappy with their results or experience complications.

While options such as waiting for natural degradation, using steroid injections, or in rare cases, undergoing surgical removal, can help address issues with Radiesse, patients should be aware of these limitations before undergoing treatment. Careful consideration and consultation with an experienced practitioner are essential to ensure the best possible results. Radiesse offers long-lasting, natural-looking enhancements, but due to its more permanent nature, precision in treatment and clear communication between patient and provider is critical to avoiding the need for reversal or correction.