Radiesse: the biostimulator that also works immediately
Most biostimulators ask for patience. Radiesse is unusual in doing something on the day and something better over the following months.
Biostimulators generally require faith. You are treated, nothing appears to happen, and three months later the result arrives. Radiesse is the exception — it provides immediate structure and then continues working as the collagen response builds behind it.
What it is
Calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres suspended in a gel carrier. Calcium hydroxylapatite is a mineral compound found naturally in bone, so the material is highly biocompatible.
Two things happen in sequence. The gel carrier provides immediate lift and structure. Over the following weeks the carrier is absorbed while the microspheres remain, acting as a scaffold that the body populates with new collagen. By the time the gel has gone, your own tissue has replaced its effect.
The timeline
- Day 0: Immediate improvement from the gel carrier. This is real but temporary.
- Weeks 2–6: The gel is gradually absorbed. Some people notice a slight reduction from the day-one result. This is expected and not a failure.
- Months 2–4: New collagen builds around the microspheres. The result returns and improves.
- Months 4–12: Peak effect, generally holding for twelve to eighteen months.
Where it suits
- The jawline, where definition has softened.
- The mid-face, for support rather than obvious volume.
- Hands, where it is one of the few genuinely effective options.
- Skin laxity where a firming, tightening effect is wanted rather than filling.
It is used diluted for skin tightening across broader areas, and undiluted for structural support. Which approach applies is a consultation decision based on what you want changed.
Where it does not suit
- The lips. Radiesse is not used in the lips — the risk profile in that tissue is wrong for this material.
- Directly under the eyes. Too superficial an area for a product of this nature.
- Anyone wanting something reversible. This matters: unlike hyaluronic acid filler, Radiesse cannot be dissolved. It resorbs on its own schedule, and if you dislike the result you wait.
- A first-ever injectable for someone nervous. Start somewhere reversible.
Cost
| Price | |
|---|---|
| 1.5ml | £300 |
| 3ml | £550 |
Radiesse is priced by volume rather than as a course; the amount is decided at consultation according to the areas treated. Appointment time is 90 minutes. Most people have one session and reassess at three months; a second session builds further where more support is wanted.
What to expect afterwards
- Swelling for two to three days, sometimes longer in the mid-face.
- Bruising is possible and worth planning around.
- Tenderness for several days.
- Occasional palpable firmness in the first weeks, settling as the carrier absorbs.
Aftercare is standard for injectables: upright for four hours, no pressure or massage on the area unless instructed, no strenuous exercise or heat for 48 hours, no alcohol on the day.
How it compares
| Radiesse | Profhilo | Polynucleotides | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Immediate effect | Yes | No | No |
| Adds structure | Yes | No | No |
| Reversible | No | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Duration | 12–18 months | 6 months | 6–9 months |
| Single price | £300 (1.5ml) | £250 | £175 |
They are not really alternatives. Radiesse is the choice when structure has genuinely been lost. Profhilo and polynucleotides improve the skin sitting over that structure. A face that needs both wants them planned together, not chosen between.
Common questions
How long does Radiesse last?
Twelve to eighteen months for most people. The immediate effect comes from the gel carrier; the lasting result comes from the collagen your body builds around the microspheres over two to four months.
Can Radiesse be dissolved?
No. Unlike hyaluronic acid fillers, Radiesse cannot be reversed with an enzyme — it resorbs on its own schedule. This makes practitioner choice particularly important.
Why does Radiesse look like it is fading after two weeks?
The gel carrier absorbs over weeks two to six, producing a temporary dip before the collagen response builds. The result returns and improves from around month two. This is expected, not a failure.
How much does Radiesse cost in London?
At Polished Beauty London it is £300 for 1.5ml or £550 for 3ml, with the amount decided at consultation according to the areas treated. The appointment is 90 minutes.
Can Radiesse be used in the lips?
No. Radiesse is not used in the lips or directly under the eyes. Those areas call for different products with different properties.
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