Radiesse®

Deep smile lines, a softening jawline, and a lower face that has lost some of its structure are among the most common reasons patients look beyond hyaluronic acid fillers. Radiesse® is a calcium hydroxylapatite filler that adds immediate support and also stimulates the skin to build new collagen over time. Patients visit the Beverly Hills office from Brentwood, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, Culver City, and across Los Angeles for Radiesse treatment planned around their facial structure.

Dr. Kami Parsa brings a published perspective to calcium hydroxylapatite. He co-authored a 2026 article in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery that reexamines the biomechanical basis of the V-Lift, a calcium hydroxylapatite injection technique for the lower face. As an oculoplastic and reconstructive surgeon with more than 20 years of clinical experience, he has also lectured on applied periocular anatomy, and that understanding of how facial tissues are layered and supported guides where a structural filler like Radiesse belongs and where it does not. He is an Adjunct Clinical Professor at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.

“Radiesse is a structural product. Used in the right place and at the right depth, it supports the face beautifully, but it is not a filler for every area, and knowing where not to use it matters just as much.” — Dr. Kami Parsa

What Is Radiesse?

Radiesse is made of tiny calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres suspended in a gel carrier. The gel provides immediate volume and lift. As the gel is gradually absorbed, the microspheres act as a scaffold that encourages the body to produce its own collagen, and the microspheres themselves are slowly broken down over time.

The FDA has approved Radiesse and Radiesse® (+), which contains lidocaine for comfort, for the following uses:

• Facial wrinkles and folds: Correction of moderate to severe wrinkles and folds, such as smile lines.
• Jawline contour: Radiesse (+) was approved in 2021 as the first injectable for improving moderate to severe loss of jawline contour in adults over 21. Providers must complete indication-specific training before treating the jawline.
• Back of the hands: Correction of volume loss in the backs of the hands.
• Décolleté: In April 2026, a diluted form of Radiesse was approved for wrinkles in the upper chest in patients 22 and older.

Other uses, such as cheek augmentation, chin wrinkles, or skin tightening with diluted Radiesse on the face or neck, are considered off-label, and your injector will explain which uses are approved during your consultation.

How Radiesse Differs From Hyaluronic Acid Fillers

Radiesse and hyaluronic acid fillers can both soften folds and restore contour, but they behave differently in important ways.

• Collagen stimulation: Radiesse encourages new collagen, so improvement can continue developing for several months after treatment.
• Firmness and support: Its thicker consistency provides more lift in structural areas such as the jawline.
• Reversibility: Radiesse cannot be dissolved with hyaluronidase. Juvéderm® and Restylane fillers can, which is why hyaluronic acid products are generally preferred in delicate areas.
• Treatment areas: Radiesse is not used in the lips or around the eyes, where lumps can form and the product cannot be removed easily.

For gradual collagen building without immediate volume, Sculptra® is another option. You can compare all fillers on the Types of Dermal Fillers page.

Is Radiesse Right for You?

Radiesse may be a good fit for adults who:

• Have moderate to deep smile lines or marionette lines
• Want better definition along a softening jawline
• Would like results that build over time through collagen stimulation
• Are comfortable with a filler that cannot be dissolved
• Are in good general health and have realistic expectations

Radiesse is not appropriate if you have a history of severe allergies, an allergy to any component of the product, or a bleeding disorder. It is also not recommended if you have an active infection or inflammation in the treatment area or a tendency to form raised scars, and its safety has not been established during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Let your injector know if you have a history of cold sores, since injections can trigger an outbreak. Because Radiesse microspheres can appear on X-rays and CT scans, tell your future doctors and radiologists that you have had Radiesse.

What to Expect During Radiesse Treatment

Your visit begins with a consultation with Dr. Parsa or licensed members of his clinical team. They review your medical history, assess facial structure and skin quality, and explain which areas are suited to Radiesse. Jawline treatment is performed only by an injector who has completed the required training. The injection itself usually takes less than 30 minutes, using a needle or a blunt cannula.

Results are visible right away, and collagen stimulation continues to improve the result over the following months. Swelling, redness, tenderness, and bruising are common and usually resolve within one to two weeks. Most patients return to normal activities the same day, though it helps to avoid strenuous exercise, alcohol, and extended sun or heat for about 24 hours. After jawline treatment, chewing or jaw movement may feel different for a short time. In the smile lines, results can last a year or more in many patients, and your injector will recommend a maintenance schedule based on your response.

Risks and When to Seek Care

Most side effects of Radiesse are mild and temporary, including swelling, redness, bruising, tenderness, and itching. Less common risks include infection and firm lumps or nodules, which can be harder to correct than with hyaluronic acid fillers because Radiesse cannot be dissolved. Rarely, filler can enter a blood vessel and block blood flow, which can damage the skin and, in very rare cases, cause vision loss or stroke.

Call the office right away and seek emergency care if you notice vision changes, severe or worsening pain, or skin that turns pale, blotchy, or dusky after treatment.

Why Choose Dr. Parsa for Radiesse in Beverly Hills

• Honest Product Selection: When a dissolvable hyaluronic acid filler is the safer choice for an area, that is what you will be told.
• Structural Planning: The jawline, chin, and lower face are assessed together, so added support looks balanced rather than heavy.
• Surgical Alternatives Available: Patients with more significant sagging can also be evaluated for surgical options such as cheek lift or augmentation.
• Combination Planning: Radiesse can be paired with BOTOX®, hyaluronic acid fillers, or skin treatments as part of a broader plan.
• Clear Aftercare: Patients are told what normal recovery looks like and which warning signs need prompt attention, and the practice’s Pre and Post Procedure Instructions are available online.

Schedule a Radiesse Consultation in Beverly Hills

If deep folds or a softening jawline are changing how your face looks, a consultation will help you understand whether Radiesse or another option is the better fit. Dr. Parsa and his clinical team will assess your facial structure and recommend a plan tailored to you. Visit the office at 465 N Roxbury Dr, Suite 1011, in Beverly Hills, or request your consultation online.

Frequently Asked Questions About Radiesse

• Is Radiesse suitable for all skin types?
• How does Radiesse compare in longevity to other fillers?
• Will I still look like myself?
• Can Radiesse be part of a larger aesthetic plan?
• Is there downtime after the procedure?