Calcium Hydroxylapatite
Filler Injections
Question: What’s one of the worst things that can happen if you have filler injected into your face?
Answer: You can lose your nose or lip
Yes, this does happen.
When a filler is accidentally injected into a blood vessel, it can clog the vessel and prevent the body part that it supplies from getting enough blood to stay alive. This can cause ischemia and even frank necrosis (tissue death).
There are many reports of this happening to patients. A young woman comes in to fill in her nasolabial folds and a week later the tip of her nose is black and dead.
So how do you prevent this?
In my practice, the only thick skin fillers I use are hyaluronic acid-based, like Restylane and Juvederm. These fillers have an antidote called hyaluronidase. Hyaluronidase can immediately melt away hyaluronic acid fillers, even filler that has entered and lodged itself in a blood vessel.
I have personally seen its effects up close. It works.
Radiesse is made of calcium hydroxylapetite, not hyaluronic acid. It does not have a similar antidote if it’s improperly injected. With the advent of longer-lasting hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvederm Voluma, I don’t believe there is a reason to use this filler in my patients.
There are safer options that, in my opinion, work just as well.
For these reasons, Calcium Hydroxylapatite Filler Injections, such as found in Radiesse is on my Holistic Beauty Blacklist.
Note: This is based solely on the opinions of Dr. Youn, which do not necessarily reflect the opinions of all doctors or the standard of care in your area. Before you undergo any invasive cosmetic treatment, make sure you consult with a real board-certified plastic surgeon.