At Tru-Male Medical in Oak Brook, IL, we understand how hard it can be to feel self-confident when facial wrinkles reveal your true age or make you look older than you are. We believe everyone should feel comfortable in their own skin, so we proudly offer several anti-aging treatments. One of the most popular cosmetic treatments we offer is RADIESSE. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about this treatment, including how soon it starts working.
How Quickly Does RADIESSE Start Working?
RADIESSE starts working immediately, and you can expect to see an improvement in your treatment areas right away. However, the initial results you can see immediately after treatment are due to the gel volumizing the treated areas temporarily. It is not until four to six weeks following your injection session that you can expect to enjoy your ideal results.
How Does This Injectable Dermal Filler Work?
The answer to why it takes several weeks to enjoy the final results of this filler lies in how the treatment works. This injectable dermal filler is made up of CaHA (calcium hydroxylapatite) microspheres ranging in diameter from 25 to 45 micrometers. This chemical compound is suspended in a sodium carboxymethylcellulose gel carrier.
The ingredients in this injectable are quickly metabolized by your skin and used for fuel to produce extra collagen. This essential protein is responsible for a number of important functions, including facilitating cellular turnover, healing skin damage, and keeping your skin plump, supple, and free from volume loss-related wrinkles.
Can I Do Anything To See My Ideal Results Faster?
Yes, there are steps you can take to optimize your skin’s collagen production process. One such step you can take is to avoid the consumption of things that will decrease the efficiency of the process, like tobacco products and copious amounts of alcohol. Another effective step you can take is to increase the consumption of substances that are necessary for the process, like zinc, vitamin C, amino acids, or water.
How Long Will the Results of My Treatment Last?
As a general rule of thumb, you can expect your RADIESSE results to last for roughly 15 months. However, there are several factors that affect the longevity of the results, so individual experiences vary. One factor that affects how long you can expect your results to last is where the injectable is administered.
What Can I Do To Extend the Longevity of My Results?
The most effective step you can take to extend the longevity of your results is to minimize UV exposure as much as possible. Consider downloading a UV index app that alerts you when the sun’s rays are particularly strong. This can help you make informed decisions about whether you should spend a long stretch of time outside. Additionally, an app can remind you to reapply sunscreen periodically to ensure you have uninterrupted protection from the sun.
While UV damage is the leading cause of premature skin aging, it is certainly not the only cause. You can also extend the longevity of your results by making sure you get enough quality sleep every night. Two more factors that commonly contribute to premature skin aging are inadequate sleep and stress. Since stress is often exacerbated by poor sleep, making adequate sleep one of your top priorities can go a long way in extending your results.
Can My Diet Affect the Longevity of My Results?
Yes, your diet can affect the longevity of your results. On one hand, your results may fade faster if you eat a lot of processed foods, fried foods, and foods that are high in sugar or refined carbs. These foods have been shown to result in premature skin aging. Additionally, excessive alcohol consumption can shorten the longevity of your results.
On the other hand, eating nutritious foods and consuming enough hydrating fluids every day will help your collagen stay healthy and strong for as long as possible. If you’re interested in keeping your skin looking young for as long as possible, make sure you eat at least a serving of fruits and vegetables with every meal. Many vegetables are great sources of vitamin C, protein, and water.
How Should I Prepare for My RADIESSE Injections?
There are a number of important steps you need to take before your injectable dermal filler treatment. To mitigate the risk of bruising, you should not take any NSAIDs or other drugs or supplements that cause blood-thinning. Another very important preparation step is to not consume anything that will increase your blood pressure too much, like alcohol, cigarettes, excessive amounts of caffeine, or too much sodium.
It is also very important that you take steps to prevent skin irritation, like using adequate sun protection for a couple of weeks preceding your treatment. Your anti-aging treatment will be rescheduled if the treatment area is burned. Additionally, you should avoid the use of any skincare products that can irritate the skin.
How Much Downtime Is Required After Treatment?
There is no downtime required after this non-surgical anti-aging treatment. You are free to return to work as soon as your injections are administered and your aftercare guidelines are reviewed. There are a number of post-treatment care guidelines you will need to follow during the first few days following your injection session.
What Restrictions Should I Be Aware of?
Once your injection session is complete, you need to avoid excessive heat. You can take a warm bath, but you shouldn’t take a steaming hot shower or relax in a sauna or hot tub. Additionally, you should avoid vigorous physical activity during the first 24 hours following your injection session.
How Long Will My Injection Session Take?
Injection sessions usually take between 15 and 40 minutes to complete. Therefore, you do not need to worry about taking any time off from work. You can easily fit a treatment session into your lunch break. The only caveat to this is that your session may take closer to an hour if you need injectable dermal filler and muscle relaxant treatments.
Where Is This Treatment Used?
This injectable dermal filler is usually used to reverse the signs of aging in the midface. For instance, it is often used to recontour the cheeks and erase nasolabial folds. However, it can also be used to volumize the backs of the hands.
Am I a Good Candidate for This Treatment?
RADIESSE is indicated for the treatment of nasolabial folds, other facial wrinkles, and lipoatrophy that is moderate or severe in nature through subdermal implantation. If you have lost quite a bit of fat or collagen in your face, there is a good chance you will be deemed a good fit for this treatment.
Who Is a Poor Candidate for This Treatment?
You will be considered a poor candidate for this treatment if your cosmetic concerns are caused by overactive muscles instead of collagen or fat loss. If you have nasolabial folds that developed due to extremely tense muscles around your nose and mouth, you will only be able to address your cosmetic concerns with an injectable muscle relaxant, like BOTOX.
Am I a Good Candidate for BOTOX?
BOTOX may be a good fit for you if you have dynamic nasolabial folds, crow’s feet, sagging eyebrows, and other muscle-related concerns. This injectable muscle relaxant, otherwise known as onabotulinumtoxinA, can be administered into virtually any area that is causing you problems because the muscles can’t relax. However, you need to verify the cause of your concerns and review your health with a medical professional to make sure BOTOX injections are the right way for you to correct your concerns.
There are several contraindications, including bleeding disorders, heart disease, and uncontrolled diabetes. Additionally, you may be considered a poor candidate for this treatment if you take certain sleep aids, oral muscle relaxants, or drugs that affect coagulation. During your evaluation, we will review your medical history, assess your concerns, and advise you on everything you need to do before treatment.
Schedule Your Initial Consultation Today
RADIESSE starts working immediately, but you shouldn’t expect to see your desired results for roughly four to six weeks after your injection session. Contact us now at Tru-Male Medical in Oak Brook, IL to schedule an evaluation and find out how we can help you rejuvenate your skin and restore your confidence. You deserve to feel happy when you look in the mirror, and we are happy to help you improve your self-confidence.
