FDA approves the use of Radiesse
Boston Non-Surgical Procedures - Read about FDA approval of Radiesse® that contains tiny particles that form a scaffold around which the body is stimulated to produce new collagen.
On December 27, 2006, BioForm Medical announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Radiesse® for long lasting correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds such as nasolabial folds. Radiesse® is a cosmetic dermal filler that lasts longer than the current best selling filler, Restylane®.
Radiesse®, a next-generation filler, does more than just plump-up facial lines and wrinkles. Radiesse® has advanced calcium-based microsphere technology that restores volume naturally and promotes the growth of the body’s own collagen. Radiesse® treatments do not involve surgery. These treatments are performed in a doctor’s office by gently injecting the material with a very fine needle. Well trained physicians, such as Dr. Moss will also be able to provide patients with a numbing “dental block” of a Novocain like medication to eliminate most discomfort during treatment.
Radiesse® contains tiny particles that form a scaffold around which the body is stimulated to produce new collagen. Treatment provides immediate, visible improvement of folds and wrinkles. In addition, the body’s own collagen naturally restores a fuller, more youthful appearance that keeps patients looking better even longer. In clinical studies and in private practices, physician experience has shown that Radiesse® consistently lasts longer than Restylane® and collagen products.
Dr. Moss has been offering Radiesse® to his patients for over a year on an “off label” basis. “I have been very happy with the performance of Radiesse® and find that it lasts on average 1 year versus 6 months for Restylane®. Restylane® is a hylauronic acid, which has had FDA approval for a few years.” Both of these products (Restylane® and Radiesse®) last much longer than the older collagen products, which lasted on average about 3 months.
Carla Moss, Dr. Moss’s wife was one of Dr. Moss’ first patients to be injected with Radiesse®. “I had always liked the results of my Restylane® injections; however I felt that there would be a benefit if the correction could last longer.
Dr. Moss is quick to point out that Radiesse® will not eliminate the use of Restylane®. “Radiesse® cannot be injected into the lips because it forms nodules. Therefore Restylane® will still remain the preferred product for use in lip injections. What I have seen in my practice is that sometimes patients will have both Restylane® and Radiesse® injected at the same appointment. I will inject the syringe of Restylane® into the lips (primarily the vermillion border of the lips) and then inject the Radiesse® into other facial wrinkles such as nasolabial folds or marionette lines.”
Dr. Moss further commented, “Cost is sometimes a factor and we are always sensitive to a patient’s pocketbook. If a patient wants both her lips and her nasolabial folds treated from 1 syringe then it is has to be with Restylane®. However, all patients need to be aware that when you are limiting the number of syringes injected, because of cost, you may also be limiting the quality of the correction/result.”
While Radiesse® should not be injected into the lips; it can be injected into other areas of the face, that Restylane® is not traditionally used. Besides the nasolabial folds and the marionette lines, Radiesse® is an excellent “filler” to smooth out the jaw line or more clearly define a patient’s cheeks. In addition, Dr. Moss has had excellent results in using Radiesse® in the chin area, to strengthen the appearance of a weak chin.
Another area that Radiesse® works well in is the nose. Sometimes the aesthetic appearance of a patient’s nose would be better improved by filling in a defect rather than shaving down an adjoining area or structure. Radiesse® allows the surgeon to accomplish this more easily than surgery. Since it is not permanent it provides the patient the choice of not redoing it if she/he so chooses.
Dr. Moss likes to emphasize that while Radiesse® and Restylane® compete with each other to some extent, they also complement each other. “The more flexibility that I have with these products, the better the result that I can achieve. And the better the result, the happier the patient.”
Another important factor that patients should be aware of is that while Dr. Moss charges $550 for one (1ml) syringe of Restylane® and $750 for one (1.3ml) syringe of Radiesse®, in the end the Radiesse® is less expensive. This is because Radiesse® lasts longer (1 year on average for Radiesse® versus 6 months on average for Restylane®). Additionally the amount injected per syringe is greater: 1.3ml for the Radiesse® versus 1.0ml for the Restylane®.
Dr. Moss personally provides all Radiesse® and Restylane® injections himself. He is also fully trained in “filler injections” as well as the “dental blocks” required to make these treatments more comfortable. Dr. Moss has a 4 Step Process to help make treatments more comfortable.
First Dr. Moss applies a topical anesthetic gel called Benzo-gel to the gums, to numb the gums before injecting the gums with Septocaine®, a Novocain like product (This is the “Dental Block”). To make the treatment even more comfortable, Dr. Moss then applies a 5% lidocaine cream to the areas on the face that he will be injecting with either the Radiesse® or Restylane®. After any filler injection Dr. Moss provides all patients with a frozen gel pack to reduce the swelling.
Dr. Moss injecting a “dental block” before a Radiesse® injection
Having 25 years experience in the field of plastic and cosmetic surgery, Dr. Moss is extremely familiar with the facial anatomy and what lies beneath the skin. “We try to provide the optimal level of care with all the facial injectable treatments,” states an enthusiastic Dr. Moss. “Not only do I perform all treatments personally, but my highly trained staff will always do their best to schedule patients when they want to have their treatments. We even try to fit them in, the day they call, if that is what they want and my schedule can accommodate it.”