There are plenty of brands of dermal fillers on the market, so it might be tempting to think that they’re all simply different flavors of the same product. It’s not the case, however, as even products within one manufacturer's line have different formulations
A few filler products stand out from the rest by using entirely different chemistry to create the gels that help to reduce the signs of aging by replacing lost tissue volume in your face. While the market is dominated by filler formulas featuring hyaluronic acid (HA), Radiesse® fillers use calcium hydroxylapatite as their active base to provide benefits that HA fillers can’t match.
Each filler has its strong points, and at Bayview General Medicine in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, we offer a variety of brands to meet every need, including Radiesse. This month, we’d like to take a closer look at Radiesse and how it compares and contrasts with HA fillers to help you choose the right aesthetic solution.
Dermal fillers are perhaps best known as line and wrinkle busters. A short in-office treatment injects a biologically compatible gel beneath the skin’s surface to fill voids in the middle layers of your skin, lifting your epidermis to restore a smooth and youthful appearance.
Fillers are made of synthetic versions of substances already found in your body, so there’s a low risk of any reaction to a treatment beyond minor skin irritation from the injections themselves.
Where Radiesse and HA-based fillers differ is the composition of their formulae, each of which has different effects on your body.
Hyaluronic acid is found widely throughout your body, most commonly in the eyes, joints, and skin. A natural lubricant and shock absorber, HA plays a key role in skin hydration and elasticity.
Using HA as a dermal filler carries the benefit of storing hydration to nourish your skin. Binding well with water molecules, HA improves skin moisture levels while also filling in voids that cause lines and wrinkles.
Calcium hydroxylapatite is a naturally occurring mineral that’s the primary component of both bones and teeth. It’s not only compatible with your natural biology, but it’s bioactive, able to assist tissue growth.
In a filler formula, Radiesse accomplishes the same aesthetic goals as HA fillers, but the bioactivity adds a benefit that HA fillers can’t. As the cellulose base of Radiesse begins to dissolve, the calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres begin to interact with the surrounding tissue.
Collagen, the most abundant protein in the body, is also a key component of the middle layer of your skin. In fact, it’s the loss of collagen tissue that causes many of the voids in skin support that lead to fine lines and wrinkles.
As calcium hydroxylapatite is released from the Radiesse gel, local stimulation of new collagen growth begins. Not only do you gain the short-term benefits of a dermal filler treatment, but the collagen stimulation also provides lasting results that extend 12 to 18 months past the typical life of an HA filler treatment.
Find out more about the right dermal filler choice for you by meeting with Dr. Richard Blanchar at Bayview General Medicine. Book your visit with our Fort Lauderdale office online or by phone today.
