What is a Radiesse® Nose Job?

A Radiesse® nose job is a non-surgical nose job performed with an injectable substance called Radiesse®. It is less time consuming and less invasive than traditional surgical rhinoplasty that requires the patient to go under general anesthesia. The treatment requires no recovery time, but does produce side effects that need to be attended to for several days afterward.

Radiesse®, previously known as Radiance®, is actually calcium hydroxyapatite, a thick, paste-like substance commonly called dermal filler. It is injected under the top two layers of skin on the nose to fill out bumps and uneven spots, requiring no surgical incisions. At first, the injectable itself acts as a filler. After a few months, however, natural collagen grows around the microspheres contained in the injectable, making the results last up to two years.

As calcium hydroxyapatite is a substance that naturally occurs in the body, Radiesse® is non-toxic and non-allergenic, meaning allergen testing is not generally required before the procedure takes place, and no allergic reaction is likely to happen after the procedure. A Radiesse® nose job requires only local anesthesia and can take as little as 15 minutes. Injectable nose jobs are typically much less expensive than surgical rhinoplasty as well.

A Radiesse® nose job is only for people who want minor changes, such as smoother skin appearance or a slightly altered shape. It can appear to lift the tip of the nose, raise the bridge of the nose and make the nose look more symmetrical. The procedure cannot be used to make noses smaller or fix major disfigurements.

Surgical rhinoplasty is riskier, but Radiesse® still has its side effects. There can be some discomfort, bruising and swelling for several days after the initial procedure. Patients should avoid exposure to the sun and major facial strain for up to a week afterward. Another possible con is that a Radiesse® nose job requires return trips to the doctor since the treatment only lasts up to two years.

Radiesse® is not just used for nose jobs — it is also commonly used to fill in areas of tissue lost during skin cancer surgery and to treat lipodystrophy, the loss of facial fat in people taking anti-HIV drugs. It can be used to lessen the appearance of fine lines, scars and wrinkles as well. In addition to cosmetic purposes, the dermal filler is also used to treat vocal chord defects.