Radiesse®

As we age, many changes occur in our body’s processes, no matter how good our genes are. This affects how we feel, but also how we look. The ageing process of our face is an example of this.

The most important features of facial ageing are:

• The decrease in subcutaneous volume. Both bone and adipose tissue structures decrease in volume meaning the skin is less well supported.
• The skin itself deteriorates in quality, dehydrates faster and the process of cell renewal is slower.
• Muscle activity changes and muscle tone decreases.

This causes wrinkles and folds in our face, we distinguish the
following types of wrinkles:

• Static wrinkles and folds:
  caused by loss of volume and reduction in skin quality. These wrinkles are mild and superficial at the beginning of the ageing process and deepen over time.
• Dynamic wrinkles or mimic wrinkles:
  caused by a change in muscle activity.

The ageing process is often presented as an inverse V.

• The younger the face, the firmer the skin and the clearer the contours, the face has a V-shape.
• During the ageing process the contours fade and the skin becomes less firm, the V reverses.

The causes of facial ageing we described above are what we call intrinsic factors, factors that everyone has to deal with and on which we ourselves have little influence.

There are also extrinsic factors that can influence the ageing process, including:

• UV rays
• Smoking
• Stress
• Bad eating and drinking habits
• Poor general skin care

This means that a healthy lifestyle and the right eating habits, enable us to significantly reduce the damage caused by the extrinsic factors.

The following precautions can be taken to maintain a youthful appearance:

• Use a moisturizing facial cream, ideally with UV protection
• Protect your skin from the sun
• Do not smoke
• Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, avoid too much fat and sugar
• Drinking sufficient water

A number of steps have to be taken before the treatment takes place, among others:

Your doctor will ask you to complete a medical questionnaire. Fill it out as correctly as possible. Your medical condition may influence the treatment as well as the results, for example:

• Previous treatments with fillers
• Previous surgical treatments
• Certain medications you are taking or have recently taken
• General condition of the skin

Your doctor will inform you of the treatment options, the expected effect, the benefits and the risks. The most common side effects are (as is often the case with any form of injection):

• Fluid accumulation (edema)
• Swelling
• Pain
• Itch
• Discolouration and sensitivity at the injection area

Although the side effects are usually mild and of a temporary nature, it still worthwhile giving them some thought.

Possible points to discuss before treatment:

• How long the effects of the treatment will last
• The costs of the treatment
• Are there other things you should take into account?

• The injectable filler Radiesse® is injected into the skin using a fine needle and/or cannula to reduce wrinkles or folds, to correct areas where volume loss has occurred, or to accentuate certain facial areas.
• Treatment with injectables can cause slight discomfort or pain during treatment. That is why a local anaesthetic is usually applied to make the treatment as comfortable as possible. You may feel this anaesthetic for some time.
• To ensure an even result, the doctor will massage the treated area, which may cause your skin to be temporarily red or swollen. Your doctor will advise you on what to do after the treatment.
• A treatment usually takes about 30 minutes, but this of course depends on the number of zones to be treated.

• Many patients continue their daily activities immediately after treatment. However, please follow the advice of your attending physician.
• You may feel mild to moderate burning or pain after an injection. The treated area may even be sensitive for a few days after the treatment.
• Swelling and discoloration (redness or bruising) of the injection site is a common side effect of injectables.
• By keeping an ice or cold compress on the treated area(s) during the first hours after treatment, you can somewhat reduce the extent and duration of discoloration and swelling. If the swelling and redness persists for more than 5 days, contact your treating physician.
• After 24 hours you may carefully clean the treated area and wear make-up, unless the attending physician tells you otherwise.
• Do not expose the treated area to intense heat (e.g. sun, solarium, sauna, etc.) or other intense facial treatments for the first week after treatment.
• It is recommended to make another appointment with your doctor 6 to 12 weeks after treatment.
• Radiesse® is gradually broken down over time. Remember that the results are only temporary.