Radiesse
Radiesse is an FDA-approved filler made of calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres in a smooth gel. The gel lifts and volumizes immediately, then the microspheres act as a scaffold that stimulates your own collagen, so the result outlasts many traditional fillers. Favored for the jawline, chin, cheeks, and hands.
What isRadiesse?
Radiesse works in two phases. On the day of treatment, its gel carrier restores volume and lift exactly where it is placed: an immediate, visible change. Then, over the following months, the calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres inside act as a scaffold that prompts your body to build new collagen of its own.
As the gel is gradually absorbed, that new collagen stays behind, which is why Radiesse tends to outlast many traditional hyaluronic acid fillers and improves skin firmness and elasticity along the way. It is a structural filler: at our practice it is a favorite for the jawline, chin, and cheeks, for lifting the midface, and for rejuvenating the backs of the hands.
It is not the tool for every job. Delicate areas such as thin lip lines and heavy under-eye hollows do better with a softer hyaluronic acid filler like Juvederm, which is exactly the kind of call we make at your consultation. Our injectors place Radiesse with an artistic eye, building structure without heaviness.
Who is Radiesse for?
Radiesse is for people who want structure that keeps building after the appointment ends.
Radiesse is deliberately structural, which makes product choice matter. Your provider will tell you plainly when it is the right tool, and when a softer hyaluronic acid filler or a different treatment would suit the area better.
You have moderate to severe wrinkles
Deeper smile lines and marionette lines that need real support, not just surface smoothing.
You want to restore facial volume
Flattened cheeks and a softening jawline regain definition with immediate, visible lift.
You want longer-lasting results
The collagen Radiesse stimulates keeps working after the gel is absorbed, extending the result.
Your hands show your age
Radiesse restores volume to the backs of the hands, softening the look of prominent tendons and veins.
You prefer a non-surgical route
A 30 to 45 minute office visit with little to no downtime, and a gradual, natural-looking evolution.
Where Radiesseworks
Radiesse shines where the face needs structure, and it extends beyond the face: it is one of the fillers we use to rejuvenate the backs of the hands.
Select an area on the figure to see what Radiesse does there.
Radiesse, lower face and marionette area1 / 3
What Radiesselooks like.
Three pairs shown on the practice's previous website to illustrate what the filler can do. Drag the handle to compare.
See all Radiesse resultsIndividual results vary. These photographs are from the treatment gallery on the practice's previous website and are not a guarantee of your own outcome.
See Radiesse at our office
Watch a jawline sculpted with filler, and Radiesse combined with Botox to treat deep frown lines, the elevens, on camera.
If you would rather talk it through, a consultation covers everything you see here, for your face.
Whatto expect.
Book a consultationCost depends on the areas treated and the amount of product your plan calls for, so we quote it at your consultation.
Optional numbing cream, then precise injections into the planned areas. You leave the same visit.
Mild swelling, redness, or bruising can appear and resolves quickly. Most patients return to normal activities the same day.
Volume shows instantly and keeps improving over weeks as collagen builds. Results often last around a year or more depending on the area and your metabolism, with maintenance visits extending them.
Frequently asked questions
How is Radiesse different from other fillers?
It works twice: the gel adds immediate volume, and its calcium microspheres stimulate your own collagen for months afterward. Hyaluronic acid fillers volumize but do not build collagen the same way.
Is Radiesse better than hyaluronic acid fillers?
Not better, different. Radiesse excels in structural areas like the jawline, chin, cheeks, and hands. Softer HA fillers suit delicate areas like lips and under-eyes. Many plans use both.
How long does Radiesse last?
It varies with the area treated and your metabolism, and the collagen it stimulates makes it longer lasting than many fillers. Results often last around a year or more, and maintenance visits extend them.
Will it look natural?
Yes, in experienced hands. The initial lift is measured, and the collagen phase builds gradually, so the result evolves naturally rather than changing overnight.
What areas can Radiesse treat?
The cheeks, jawline, chin, smile lines, and marionette lines, plus the backs of the hands. The jawline and hands are two of its most popular uses.
Can Radiesse treat my hands?
Yes. Radiesse restores volume to the backs of the hands, softening the look of prominent tendons and veins. It is one of several fillers we use for hand rejuvenation, and we recommend the right one for your hands at your consultation.
Is there any downtime?
Little to none. Mild swelling, redness, or bruising resolves quickly, and most patients go back to normal activities the same day.
Does the treatment hurt?
Discomfort is minimal. Numbing cream is available, and the injections themselves take only 30 to 45 minutes.
Can Radiesse be combined with other treatments?
Yes. It pairs well with Botox and other relaxers, laser treatments, and skin tightening. We often combine Radiesse with Botox for deep frown lines.
Is Radiesse right for every area?
No. It is not ideal for delicate areas such as heavy under-eye bags and thin lip lines, where a softer hyaluronic acid filler like Juvederm is the better choice. Your injector matches the product to the area at your consultation.
How much does Radiesse cost?
Cost depends on the areas treated and the amount used. You receive a personalized quote at your consultation.
Where to next
Related treatment
Botox
Soften lines and wrinkles.
Explore the treatmentRelated concern
Lines & Wrinkles
Motion lines and creases that stay put
Start from the concernWorth reading
How Long Does Radiesse Last?
We are proud to offer our patients unbelievable treatments. Did you know the effects of Radiesse can last for up to a year? Learn more!
Read the answerAsk about injectables.
Tell us what you would like to soften or restore. We will come back with which product fits, how long it lasts, and what to expect at your first visit.
Your details go straight to our Montgomery Road front desk and are never shared. A team member replies during office hours, usually the same day.
Ready when you are.
Book a consultation at our Montgomery Road office, or call and we will help you decide where to start.
Medically reviewed by Shalini Gupta, MD, Harvard-trained dermatologist and founder of The Dermatology, Laser & Vein Center. Last reviewed September 2026. This page is for education and is not a substitute for a personalized medical consultation.