- Downtime
- Most people return to normal activities right away
- How long it lasts
- About 18 months, according to the FDA; results vary
- Common side effects
- Bruising, redness and swelling, usually for less than 7 days
- Imaging
- Shows on CT scans and may show on X-rays
What is Radiesse®?
Radiesse® is a dermal filler made by Merz Aesthetics. It contains tiny particles of calcium hydroxylapatite, a mineral commonly found in human teeth and bones, in a water-based gel. It has been FDA-approved since 2006.
Radiesse adds volume right away, and the manufacturer states that it also stimulates your body’s own collagen. It is a temporary filler that your body absorbs over time. Some people need more than one session to reach their goal, and touch-ups are common.
What Radiesse® treats
- Moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as smile lines (approved 2006)
- Facial fat loss (lipoatrophy) in people with HIV (2006)
- Volume loss in the backs of the hands (2015)
- Loss of jawline contour in adults over 21, using Radiesse® (+), which contains lidocaine (2021)
- Wrinkles of the décolleté (upper chest) in people 22 and older, using diluted Radiesse (2026). Injectors must complete training specific to this use.
Ask our team which of these uses we offer. Radiesse is not for the lips, and the FDA advises against injecting filler into the nose.
Results, downtime and how long they last
Results are visible right away. The FDA describes results from calcium hydroxylapatite as lasting about 18 months, and for many people results last a year or more. Results vary from person to person and are temporary. Clinical trials have not studied the safety of Radiesse in the face beyond 3 years.
Most people return to normal activities right away. For about 24 hours, or until any bruising, swelling and redness go away, avoid strong sun or heat, such as saunas or long periods outdoors.
The Radiesse timeline
- Right away — Volume is visible after treatment
- Under 7 days — Bruising, redness and swelling usually fade
- About 18 months — How long results last, as the FDA describes it
- Over time — The body absorbs the filler; touch-ups are common
What to expect at your visit in Torrance
Medical exam
Your health history, allergies, medicines and past treatments are reviewed, and the area is examined.
Plan and consent
You learn whether Radiesse suits your goal, what other options exist and the risks before you decide.
Injection
The filler is injected under the skin in the approved area. Radiesse® (+) contains lidocaine to help with discomfort.
Aftercare
You receive aftercare instructions and can plan any follow-up visit, since some people need a touch-up to reach their goal.
Side effects and risks
Bruising, redness and swelling are common and usually last less than 7 days. Other possible problems include lumps or bumps, infection, and cold sore flare-ups in people who get them. After hand treatment, bumps can last up to a year, and the FDA notes that everyday hand activities may be harder for a short time. Allergic reactions to injectable implants have been reported.
Imaging: Radiesse particles show up clearly on CT scans and may show on standard X-rays. Tell your doctors and radiologists that you have had Radiesse. For the upper chest, it is not yet known whether Radiesse affects imaging of that area.
Who should not have Radiesse, or should talk to Dr. Shin first
Do not have Radiesse if you have severe allergies with a history of anaphylaxis, have multiple severe allergies, are allergic to any of its ingredients (or to lidocaine, for Radiesse® (+)), or have a bleeding disorder.
Talk to Dr. Shin first if you:
- take aspirin, warfarin or other medicines that can increase bleeding
- tend to form keloids or thick scars, or have an autoimmune disease
- get cold sores, or have a skin infection or inflammation near the area
- plan to have a laser treatment, chemical peel or similar procedure
- are considering upper-chest treatment and are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have had breast cancer, a family history of it, or radiation near that area
Radiesse is not for the lips. Its safety and effectiveness there have not been established, and lumps have been reported after lip injection.
Common questions
How long does Radiesse last?
The FDA describes results from calcium hydroxylapatite fillers such as Radiesse as lasting about 18 months. For many people, results last a year or more, but this varies. Radiesse is temporary because your body absorbs it over time, and some people need touch-ups to reach or keep their goal.
Can Radiesse be used in the lips?
No. According to the product’s instructions for use, the safety and effectiveness of Radiesse in the lips have not been established, and lumps (nodules) have been reported after lip injection. If you are interested in lip treatment, ask our team about products that are FDA-approved for the lips.
Will Radiesse show up on an X-ray or CT scan?
Yes. Radiesse particles are clearly visible on CT scans and may be visible on standard X-rays. In a study of 75 people treated in the upper chest, diluted Radiesse was not seen on mammograms or breast ultrasounds, but imaging of the treated area itself has not been studied. Always tell your doctors and radiologists.
Can Radiesse cause an allergic reaction?
It can. Allergic reactions to injectable implants have been reported. Radiesse must not be used in people with severe allergies that caused anaphylaxis, multiple severe allergies, or an allergy to any of its ingredients. Radiesse® (+) also contains lidocaine, so it is not for people who are allergic to lidocaine.
Is Radiesse the same as a hyaluronic acid filler?
No. Radiesse is made of calcium hydroxylapatite particles in a gel, while Juvéderm® fillers are hyaluronic acid gels. Each product is FDA-approved for different areas and has its own risks. Dr. Shin can explain which approved option matches the area you want to treat.
Important information
- FDA status: Radiesse® is FDA-approved only for the uses listed on this page. It shows up on CT scans and may show on X-rays, so tell your doctors and radiologists that you have had it. Please call (310) 326-2161 to confirm Radiesse is currently available.
- Rare but serious risk: Any filler can be injected into a blood vessel by accident, which can cause skin damage, vision loss or stroke. Get help right away if you have vision changes, unusual pain, or skin that turns white, gray or blue.
Sources & further reading
- RADIESSE Instructions for Use (IN00244-00, March 2026) (opens in a new tab) — U.S. Food & Drug Administration (manufacturer labeling)
- Premarket Approval P050052: RADIESSE (opens in a new tab) — U.S. Food & Drug Administration
- FDA-Approved Dermal Fillers (opens in a new tab) — U.S. Food & Drug Administration
- Dermal Fillers (Soft Tissue Fillers) (opens in a new tab) — U.S. Food & Drug Administration
- RADIESSE (+) approved to improve moderate to severe loss of jawline contour (opens in a new tab) — Merz Aesthetics
- FDA approval of RADIESSE for wrinkles in the décolleté (opens in a new tab) — Merz Aesthetics
- FDA approval of Radiesse for volume loss in the back of the hands (opens in a new tab) — Merz North America (via Business Wire)
Last updated October 2026. This page is educational and does not replace a visit with a clinician.
