COVID-19 UPDATE: As of May 11, 2020, we have re-opened our office to regular in-person appointments. We are operating at a lower-than-normal capacity in order to respect social distancing advisories and best protect the health of our patients. We are still offering telemedicine as an option. For more information please call us at (314) 996-8800.

Radiesse®

Restore Volume and Improve Skin Laxity on the Body and Face with a Collagen-Stimulating Injectable in St. Louis

When it comes to shaping the contours you want, collagen is the way to go. Abundant and healthy collagen provides a pleasantly youthful fullness for the body and face. Unfortunately, collagen production drops over time. To counter this, our injectors use Radiesse® at St. Louis' West County Plastic Surgeons.

To schedule your appointment for Radiesse®, contact our St. Louis office by phoning (314) 996-8800 or requesting your consultation online.

What Is Radiesse®?

Instead of simply providing volume or encouraging natural collagen production in the skin, Radiesse® does both. The injectable aesthetic treatment provides volume that is visible right away in the targeted area, where it also prompts cells to begin making new collagen and elastin molecules for longer-lasting results.

After the initial improvement, calcium hydroxylapatite particles in the gel integrate into the skin to build a support structure. These particles then break down to be "replaced" by healthy collagen fibers. The result is naturally renewed support, firmness, and fullness.

Learn how Radiesse® at St. Louis’ West County Plastic Surgeons works.
Injectable Radiesse® at St. Louis’ West County Plastic Surgeons provides skin-smoothing, jawline-defining volume that is both visible right away and that develops over time as calcium hydroxylapatite in the gel stimulates collagen creation.

What Can Radiesse® Treat?

Age-related collagen loss causes changes all over the body, from the development of hollows to sagging skin. Some people may also have areas of the body that they have always wished were a little fuller or better defined.

Just about any facial feature that could use a boost in collagen may be ideal for a Radiesse® treatment. The filler is FDA approved to improve deep smile lines (known as nasolabial folds), downturned corners of the mouth, marionette lines below the mouth, "pre-jowl" folds next to the chin, and horizontal chin wrinkles. Radiesse® (+) is approved for improving jawline definition.

Farther down, Radiesse® is also approved to restore volume lost on the backs of the hands. As fat and collagen diminish with age, the hands can develop a skeletal look because there is less "padding" to soften veins and tendons. When these vessels and cords are exposed, they can appear very prominent and give the hands an aged appearance.

Off-label uses, which are commonly performed by experienced injectors, include many areas on the body that could use some extra "help" in the form of added volume. A little collagen can actually make a big difference when it comes to addressing loss of fat, collagen, and elastin. The filler can be used to improve skin quality on the arms, abdomen, knees, thighs, and buttocks.

What Is the Radiesse® Experience at West County Plastic Surgeons?

Before making any treatment plans, you will start with a consultation so you can share your cosmetic plans and get an idea of the options available to help you meet your goals.

All injections are made by experienced and highly trained providers who routinely work with a wide range of injectables—and with Radiesse® specifically. Every session is different, with specifics that depend on the area or areas being treated, but the injection process is typically completed in a matter of minutes.

Expected some initial swelling at the injection sites, as well as some redness and bruising along with slight discomfort. All side effects should resolve soon after your Radiesse® appointment. As the swelling goes down, you will see the initial new contours.

Over the following months, the calcium hydroxylapatite will break down in the skin, while collagen levels will increase. Each Radiesse® patient will have a unique experience—thanks to individual metabolic rates, activity levels, and more—but the resulting contours can last for a year or longer.

What Other Treatments Are Available for Facial and Body Contouring?

Traditional hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers at West County Plastic Surgeons include Juvederm®, RHA®, and Belotero Balance®, all of which add volume without focusing on collagen stimulation. A popular filler treatment involves lip injections to enhance and improve definition and symmetry on the lips.

Ultherapy is a treatment that tightens skin and encourages collagen production via ultrasound energy, while CoolTone builds muscle by triggering rapid contractions on the belly, buttocks, and thighs. SmartXide Tetra CO2 laser resurfacing, known as CoolPeel, uses focused light to trigger a natural healing response that renews collagen production, smooths wrinkles, and more.

A surgical option that makes use of a body's existing "natural resources" is fat grafting, which involves liposuction for removing living fat cells in one area, then specialized techniques for transferring those cells to another area. This grafting strategy can help with a wide range of procedures, including breast augmentation and breast reconstruction, facelifts, and buttock augmentation.

The first step for anyone who wants to restore youthful contours or otherwise shape their face or body is to arrange a consultation with the team at West County Plastic Surgeons.

To schedule your appointment for Radiesse®, contact our St. Louis office by phoning (314) 996-8800 or requesting your consultation online.

If you have questions or would like to book a consultation with one of the surgeons at West County Plastic Surgery, please call (314) 996-8800.

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