You may not realize it, but your skin is an incredible thing. It protects you from the sun, bacteria and countless other potential problems. The problem is that protection does not come without a price. Blocking the sun’s rays, keeping bacteria out of your body, and even the natural processes your skin uses to repair itself can take an incredible toll.
This results in lines, wrinkles, sagging skin and countless other negative qualities associated with age. The good news is that you can reverse some of the symptoms of aging by using the right treatments. Radiesse and Restylane represent two of the most advanced dermal fillers capable of rejuvenating the lowest layers of your skin to make imperfections disappear.
What is Radiesse?
Radiesse has two active ingredients: calcium hydroxylapatite and hyaluronic acid. These ingredients are designed to fill deeper lines and wrinkles in the hypodermis layer of the skin.
Calcium hydroxylapatite works as a scaffolding chemical, giving the collagen layer a way to establish the proper structure for your skin.
Hyaluronic acid (HA) works to pull water to the site of your injections. This stimulates collagen production while helping the collagen in your skin to begin to establish a more efficient and denser layer of collagen.
These two ingredients work together to give Radiesse its lasting effects. The results you enjoy from Radiesse will become better over time.
What is Restylane?
Restylane uses hyaluronic acid (HA) as its active ingredient, stimulating collagen production while producing a more subtle effect when used as a dermal filler. Because Restylane only contains HA as an active ingredient, it is not as suitable for treating deeper lines and imperfections in the hypodermis layer of the skin like Radiesse can.
However, this makes Restylane ideal for treating areas where there is only little loss in volume or where more volume is desired. Ideal areas include the lips, near the corners of the lips, below the nose and, depending upon the amount needed, the cheeks.
Radiesse vs. Restylane: Which Works Best?
The first thing to understand about Radiesse and Restylane is that Radiesse provides more long-term results. The harder substance used as a scaffolding material makes Radiesse’s results last a year while Restylane may only provide results that last for a few months in the same area.
Radiesse’s use of a harder material can also produce some complications. Patients may experience hard bumps or nodules that can take months to disappear
Second, each dermal filler is designed to work on different areas of the face. Radiesse should be used on deeper deformations of the collagen substructure while Restylane should be used to add volume to areas that already have them.
Finally, Restylane tends to treat smaller deformations in the collagen of the hypodermis. It can foster the growth of new collagen, which can be combined with other treatments like BOTOX® to add a lasting volume to “problem” areas of the face.
If you are having trouble deciding between Radiesse and Restylane, contact Athena Plastic Surgery. Our team has significant experience helping patients get a firm, youthful appearance. We welcome the opportunity to answer any questions and work with you to decide which dermal filler is best for your circumstance. Contact us today for your consultation.