Wrinkles can develop for a lot of reasons: smoking, sun damage, changes to our collagen production, and sometimes simple aging. If you’re looking to smooth out your wrinkles, then Radiesse could be the answer. At the Southeastern Institute of Restorative Medicine in Dothan, AL, we offer Radiesse and would love to help you learn more about this treatment and whether it’s the right one for you.
How Long Radiesse Last After Treatment?
No one wants to spend money (or time) on a treatment that will only last a few weeks. And the truth is that some cosmetic treatments are very expensive yet have to be repeated constantly. If you’re ready to make a change but are worried about where to put your money, then Radiesse treatment is a good choice to consider. So know Radiesse how long does it last
This is one of the longest-lasting dermal filler treatments in the cosmetic world. This FDA-approved treatment easily lasts 12 to 18 months, and longer in some cases. That’s good news: but there’s some even better news! There may be some things you can do to help extend your results.
As with many other things in life, extending the results of your radiesse treatment is really all about choosing a healthy lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle keeps your body in good health, of course, but it’s also crucial for your skin. And when you’ve had a cosmetic treatment, keeping to a healthy lifestyle gives that treatment active support so it can keep you looking younger for longer.
Tips for Extending Results
What to Do
There are two really important things that will help your skin during this time. These are hydration and sun protection. These are actually things you should always be doing, even if you haven’t had a treatment, so if you never developed good habits in these areas before, now is the perfect time to start.
Hydration
Hydration is crucial for skin health and will help Radiesse work more effectively and for longer. The amount of water you need will depend on your situation, including how active you are and the time of year. According to the Mayo Clinic, the average woman needs about 11.5 cups of water a day, and the average man needs 15.5 cups to stay well hydrated. These amounts are measured kitchen cups, not just whatever cup you pull from the cabinet!
For women, that 11.5 cups comes to about 2.7 liters or just over half a gallon of water in a day. If that seems like way too much water to drink, don’t forget that you get water from lots of other sources. Coffee and tea are hydrating, and although caffeine is a mild diuretic, you are still getting more water than you take in even with caffeinated coffee. If you drink juices, milk, or just about anything else but alcohol, it contributes to your hydration. Most fruits and vegetables also have a lot of water, so what you choose to eat will help, too.
Sun Protection
The sun is your skin’s greatest enemy. Exposure to the sun damages your DNA and causes your skin to age more quickly than it otherwise would. While a little bit of sun exposure is good and healthy, it’s important to minimize your exposure, especially if you have fair skin.
In Alabama, the angle of the sun is such that during the summer you can get all the sun you need for Vitamin D production in just about 5 minutes of direct exposure per day. Any more than that and you’re risking damage to the skin. At all other times, be sure to wear a 30-SPF sunscreen (at minimum) and use clothing, shade, and other natural protection to keep your results for as long as possible.
What Not to Do
The most important change you should make for the health of your skin and the longevity of your results with Radiesse is to stop smoking or using nicotine products of any kind. Be aware that nicotine isn’t just something you find in cigarettes: it’s also present in certain special gums and patches, in tobacco-based chews, in cigars and pipe tobacco, and in many vaping formulas.
Nicotine destroys existing collagen, which your skin needs to stay supple and strong, and it interferes with the skin’s production of fresh new collagen. If you ever needed a good incentive to stop smoking, let extending your fabulous Radiesse results be it!
Other Important Questions About Treatment
Is This Treatment a Good Alternative to Cheek Augmentation?
A cheek augmentation is an invasive procedure that tightens up sagging skin and adds volume to the cheeks. It’s an effective procedure, but for many people, it’s just too much. Invasive procedures cost a lot, require extensive downtime and preparation, and can even be painful. In contrast, this dermal filler treatment still gives effective results yet with no pain or downtime, and it is very cost-effective.
How Soon Will I Start to See Results?
The results of this dermal filler injection become apparent almost immediately. The filler contains calcium hydroxylapatite, which immediately goes between your skin and muscle to smooth and plump the skin. Over time, it slowly fades, but as it does, your skin ramps up collagen production. This means collagen replaces the calcium hydroxylapatite for seamless immediate to final results.
How Should I Prepare for Treatment?
There isn’t much you need to worry about in terms of preparation for this treatment. When you come for a consultation, we’ll let you know if there’s anything you need to do that’s unique to your case. In general, we ask people to stop taking any medications or supplements that thin the blood for a few weeks before treatment.
It’s also important not to drink alcohol for a few days leading up to treatment or to consume any nicotine. Both of these raise your blood pressure, which could make treatment more difficult.
What Happens During Treatment?
Our first step will be to sanitize the area so there are zero risks of any infection. Then we’ll mark the injection points along your skin according to the treatment plan you discussed with us. The goal is always to give you the perfect, all-natural look! Then we’ll use sterile, single-use needles to inject your dermal filler under the skin.
Does It Hurt?
We all know the saying “no pain, no gain,” and you may naturally assume that any effective beauty goal simply has to be painful. The good news is that this treatment is not. The needle we use is so fine that you’re unlikely to feel anything at all, and if you’re worried about needles, ice or topical numbing cream can take care of it. Just let us know at your consultation.
What About Aftercare?
As mentioned, there’s no downtime necessary after this treatment. You can go right back to your regular schedule and routine. There are just a few minor things we’ll advise you to avoid for the first 24 hours so the treatment has time to settle well.
First, avoid anything that could raise your blood pressure too much for the first 24 hours. This means no vigorous exercise, alcohol, or smoking. Second, you’ll want to avoid extreme heat, so stay out of saunas and steam rooms and wait to go sunbathing for another day.
Aftercare Tips
There may be unique things you’ll need to do based on your medical history and health status, and we’ll go over those things in your consultation. For most people, there are really no restrictions other than the ones mentioned above: but there are some things you can do that will help your results along.
Now is a good time to start your new hydration habits. Be sure to drink plenty of water in those first 24 hours—as much as you can! And be extra vigilant with your sunscreen for the two weeks following treatment.
Is This Treatment Only for the Face?
This treatment is FDA-approved to fight back against volume loss, wrinkles, and sagging skin wherever you find it. It’s also a great treatment for the back of the hands, which also show the signs of aging through volume loss. Even if you’ve lost weight due to extended illness and are seeing a hollow, sunken look in places you don’t want it, this treatment can help.
Am I a Good Candidate?
Of course, the only way to know for certain if you’re a candidate for any treatment is to come for a consultation. This allows us to take a look at your face and skin, understand your goals, and learn more about your medical history. We can also help you understand if a different treatment might be better for reaching your goals and help you plan out a series of treatments that will get you where you want to be.
In general, though, most adults are good candidates for this treatment. It’s especially popular for people between the ages of 35 and 60 who are seeing folds and wrinkles around the mouth and nose that they would like to smooth out.
Skin Prick Tests
Some dermal filler treatments require a skin prick test to make sure you’re not allergic to the ingredients. Not only is the test itself not much fun, but it also delays your treatment while you wait for the results. Fortunately, that’s not an issue with this treatment. All the ingredients are hypoallergenic, so no test is needed.
Does This Pair Well With Other Treatments?
Depending on your specific condition, you may want to consider other treatments that can also help with the signs of aging. Some wrinkles, for example, are primarily due to the muscle movements we make whenever we smile, frown, or make other expressions. These lines need to be treated with a neuromodulator like Botox, Jeuveau, Dysport, or Xeomin, and these can be paired with your Radiesse treatment.
A neuromodulator works differently from a dermal filler. Instead of plumping and promoting better hydration and more collagen production, a neuromodulator goes to work against the nerves that control muscle movement. When a neuromodulator is injected skillfully, it will stop the nerves from communicating with certain muscles, allowing those muscles to relax and the skin above them to smooth out.
A skillful injector like those at Southeastern Institute of Restorative Medicine can do this without any danger of you looking “frozen” or unnatural. You’ll still have your natural facial expressions, but with smooth skin.
Want to Learn More?
If you’re interested in this treatment or in finding out more about which treatments are best for your needs, contact us today at Southeastern Institute of Restorative Medicine in Dothan, AL. We’ll set up a consultation and help you plan the best treatment course to get you looking as youthful and vital as you feel!