Radiesse

Loss of facial volume, deepening smile lines, and sagging skin can make you look older than you feel. As collagen production declines with age, the skin loses its natural support, leading to fine lines, creases, and volume loss in the cheeks, jawline, and hands. If you’re looking for a minimally invasive procedure to restore youthful contours and achieve natural-looking results, Radiesse® treatment may be the solution.

Orange County plastic surgeon Dr. Farbod Esmailian specializes in customized treatment plans that enhance each patient’s natural beauty. With his expertise, you can achieve smoother, firmer skin with Radiesse—all without the need for surgery or extended downtime.

What is Radiesse?

Radiesse is an FDA-approved injectable dermal filler designed to restore facial volume, smooth fine lines and creases, and promote collagen production for long-term skin rejuvenation. Unlike hyaluronic acid fillers, Radiesse is formulated with calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres suspended in a water-based gel. These calcium-based microspheres provide immediate augmentation by adding volume to treated areas, while also stimulating the body’s own natural collagen over time. As collagen replenishes, the skin regains its firmness, elasticity, and youthful appearance.

Radiesse is commonly used to address nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and smile lines, as well as volume loss in the hands, jawline, and other areas affected by signs of aging. Over time, the biodegradable microspheres are naturally absorbed by the body, with results lasting up to two years or longer for many patients.¹

What Can Radiesse Treat?

Radiesse is a versatile dermal filler that restores facial volume, smooths wrinkles and creases, and enhances contours for a more youthful appearance. By addressing volume loss and stimulating new collagen production, Radiesse provides both immediate and long-term improvements in key treatment areas, including:

Cheeks & Midface: Restores facial volume for a lifted, fuller look.
Nasolabial Folds & Smile Lines: Softens deep folds between the nose and mouth for a smoother appearance.
Marionette Lines & Corners of the Mouth: Reduces creases that contribute to a downturned or aged look.
Jawline & Chin Augmentation: Enhances definition for a sculpted, youthful contour.
Temples: Adds subtle volume to hollowed areas for balanced facial proportions.
Fine Lines & Wrinkles: Smooths signs of aging across the face for a refreshed look.
Jowls: Helps create a more contoured lower face by restoring structural support.
Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty: Provides augmentation for improved nasal shape and symmetry.
Hand Rejuvenation: One of the only FDA-approved fillers for restoring volume loss in aging hands.

Benefits of Radiesse

Radiesse® is a FDA-approved injectable dermal filler that provides both immediate and long-lasting facial rejuvenation by restoring volume loss and stimulating the body’s own natural collagen. This minimally invasive procedure offers a range of benefits, including:

No Surgery or Downtime: Radiesse is a nonsurgical treatment that requires no incisions or anesthetic, allowing patients to return to their routine immediately.
Instant, Long-Lasting Results: Unlike some fillers that take time to work, Radiesse injections provide immediate volume enhancement, with effects that can last up to two years.
Collagen Stimulation: The calcium-based microspheres in Radiesse help fortify collagen reserves, promoting new collagen production for sustained skin improvement.
Natural-Looking Results: Radiesse integrates smoothly into treated areas, delivering subtle, yet noticeable augmentation while preserving natural facial expressions.
Versatile Treatment Areas: Radiesse is commonly used to enhance the cheeks, jawline, nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and hands, making it an excellent alternative to facial implants or surgical procedures.
Hypoallergenic & Biocompatible: Made from calcium hydroxylapatite, a substance naturally found in the body, Radiesse is biodegradable and well-tolerated by most patients.

Who is a Good Candidate for Radiesse?

Radiesse is recommended for anybody that has aesthetic concerns related to skin aging. Some may be experiencing a loss of volume or hollowed-out areas in the face. For others, it might simply be an issue of sagging skin or deep nasolabial folds. Of course, wrinkles and fine lines are the most common reason that people seek out this procedure. Dr. Esmailian may recommend the usage of Radiesse and BOTOX together in order to create a more natural-looking, youthful appearance.

Preparing for Radiesse Treatment

Before undergoing Radiesse injections, proper preparation can help ensure the best possible results and minimize the risk of side effects. During your consultation, Dr. Esmailian will assess your concerns, review your medical history, and create a customized treatment plan tailored to your needs.

To prepare for your Radiesse treatment, follow these guidelines:

Avoid Blood-Thinning Medications & Supplements - To reduce the risk of bruising at the injection site, discontinue aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, vitamin E, and other blood thinners as advised by your plastic surgeon.
Limit Alcohol & Caffeine - Refraining from alcohol and excessive caffeine intake for at least 24 hours before your treatment may help minimize swelling.
Stay Hydrated & Eat Well - Drinking plenty of water and maintaining a balanced diet supports collagen production and overall skin health.
Inform Your Provider of Any Allergies or Medical Conditions - While Radiesse is hypoallergenic and well-tolerated, discussing any concerns beforehand ensures a safe experience.
Plan Around Special Events - While Radiesse requires little to no downtime, minor swelling or bruising at the injection site may occur. Scheduling your treatment at least a week before important occasions allows time for full healing.

Schedule A Consultation

The Radiesse Procedure

Before starting the procedure, all target areas are marked with a pen in order to ensure that injections are administered properly and accurately. A topical anesthetic is then given in order to provide total comfort throughout the session. The needles used are very thin, and the process is overall quick and painless. Patients can watch videos or listen to music while Dr. Esmailian creates astonishing changes in their appearance.

Radiesse Recovery & Results

While people seldom complain of discomfort following this procedure, it is possible to have a bit of redness and a swollen sensation around the treated areas. However, these symptoms are completely normal and typically resolve on their own within 24 hours. If needed, painkillers such as ibuprofen as well as ice can be used to deal with pain and swelling. In addition, it is recommended that patients wear sunscreen on all treated areas, as sun sensitivity will be increased temporarily. The results from Radiesse tend to last for up to a year or longer.

Dr. Esmailian

Why Choose Dr. Esmailian for Radiesse?

Dr. Esmailian is well-known amongst the plastic surgeon community of Southern California. He provides only the best of care to his patients. He prioritizes natural-looking results above all else and is constantly employing the most up-to-date techniques to reach his goals. Most importantly, he is known for being very personable, always keeping a line of communication open with his patients to ensure that they receive exactly what they are looking for.

Contact Us

If wrinkles, volume loss, or sagging skin are affecting your confidence, Radiesse injections offer a minimally invasive way to restore youthful contours and smooth facial creases with long-lasting results. In Orange County, plastic surgeon Dr. Farbod Esmailian provides customized treatment plans to help patients achieve natural-looking rejuvenation with Radiesse. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation and discover how Radiesse treatment can enhance your features with minimal downtime.

FAQs About Radiesse

How much does Radiesse cost?

Can Radiesse be combined with other procedures?

What are the possible side effects of Radiesse?

How long do Radiesse results last?

How much does Radiesse cost?

The cost of Radiesse treatment in Orange County varies depending on factors such as the amount of product used, the number of treatment areas, and the expertise of your plastic surgeon. Because Radiesse provides long-lasting results, many patients find it to be a cost-effective solution compared to other injectable dermal fillers. During your consultation, Dr. Esmailian will evaluate your concerns and create a customized treatment plan, including detailed pricing.

Can Radiesse be combined with other procedures?

Yes! Radiesse is often combined with BOTOX®, hyaluronic acid dermal fillers, and other non-surgical rejuvenation treatments to achieve optimal results. For patients seeking a more dramatic transformation, Radiesse can also complement surgical procedures such as a facelift. Dr. Esmailian will assess your needs and recommend a treatment plan tailored to your goals.

What are the possible side effects of Radiesse?

Radiesse is an FDA-approved dermal filler with a strong safety profile, but like any cosmetic procedure, it carries some risk of side effects. Common side effects include mild swelling, redness, bruising, or tenderness at the injection site, which typically resolves within a few days. Rare complications, such as nodules or asymmetry, can occur but are minimized by choosing an experienced plastic surgeon like Dr. Esmailian.

How long do Radiesse results last?

Radiesse provides instant volume enhancement, with results that can last up to two years or longer. Unlike other fillers that simply add volume, Radiesse stimulates new collagen production, helping maintain a youthful appearance even after the product is naturally absorbed by the body.

¹ Aguilera SB, McCarthy A, Khalifian S, Lorenc ZP, Goldie K, Chernoff WG. The Role of Calcium Hydroxylapatite (Radiesse) as a Regenerative Aesthetic Treatment: A Narrative Review. Aesthet Surg J. 2023 Sep 14;43(10):1063-1090. doi: 10.1093/asj/sjad173. PMID: 37635437; PMCID: PMC11025388. Available: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11025388/. Accessed March 6, 2025.
² American Society of Plastic Surgeons. What types of dermal fillers are available? Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/dermal-fillers/types. Accessed March 6, 2025.

Page updated: March 18, 2025