Give Your Skin Its Youthful Glow Back with RADIESSE by Visiting Dr. Lee in the Little Rock, AR Area!
You have a lot of choices when it comes to getting rid of wrinkles and giving yourself a smoother, more toned face. And while most dermal fillers will work, RADIESSE is one of the few injectables that offer immediate results and can reverse the signs of aging in just a few sessions.
Dr. Mimi Lee is a board-certified surgeon who also offers dermal filler treatments such as RADIESSE. She proudly practices in Little Rock, Arkansas, and serves its surrounding areas. Call to schedule your dermal filler consultation today.
What is RADIESSE?
RADIESSE is an FDA-approved treatment for wrinkles around the smile folds and mouth. As we age, our skin loses its ability to bounce back from the movements we put it through every day. Every time we smile, laugh, squint and talk, we are putting our face through its paces. Fight these signs of aging with the ingredients in RADIESSE.
RADIESSE is made of Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA) and a special gel filler. This unique formula not only provides immediate lift to your face after it’s injected, but also helps the body produce more of its natural collagen. After some time, your body will process the CaHA and the gel, leaving only the collagen behind.
How Does RADIESSE Work?
RADIESSE works in two ways: first, by providing instant volume and lift through the gel filler, and second, by encouraging your body to build its own natural collagen. Once injected beneath the skin, the CaHA particles in RADIESSE form a microscopic scaffold. This structure gives the skin’s collagen-producing cells a surface to attach to and build upon.
As these cells, called fibroblasts, interact with this framework, they begin depositing new strands of collagen in the surrounding area. Over the following weeks, this activity leads to gradual skin thickening and better support under the surface.
What Makes RADIESSE Different?
The difference is in the formula. RADIESSE is both a biostimulator and a dermal filler. Most dermal fillers look to supplement your body’s naturally occurring material. RADIESSE works by only temporarily strengthening the collagen to give your face a short-term refreshed look, and then eventually letting your body’s natural collagen take over.
What RADIESSE Treats
RADIESSE can help smooth the appearance of deep lines while restoring areas of volume that have thinned over time. As collagen production declines with age, the skin can start to look deflated or less structured. This filler supports the skin’s underlying framework to bring back definition and firmness. It is also useful for improving contours in areas where shape and fullness have diminished.
RADIESSE Treatment Areas
Smile Lines
Smile lines, also known as nasolabial folds, tend to deepen with age as volume shifts in the midface. This can cause a noticeable fold between the side of the nose and the corner of the mouth. RADIESSE can help soften these creases by adding support beneath the skin and improving the transition from cheek to mouth.
Corners of the Mouth
As volume diminishes and skin loses elasticity, the corners of the mouth can begin to turn downward and create a frown when the face is at rest. RADIESSE offers structural support in this area to reduce the appearance of drooping.
Marionette Lines
Marionette lines are the vertical lines that form below the corners of the mouth and go toward the chin. These lines can become etched in the skin as the tissue loses elasticity. RADIESSE improves skin laxity and allows the surface of the skin in this area to be smoother.
Jawline
Loss of volume along the jawline can make you lose the contoured edge that defines the jaw from the neck. If your skin lacks internal structure and firmness along the jawline, we can use RADIESSE injections to give you a more defined and angular appearance both in motion and at rest.
Pre-Jowl Folds
RADIESSE can also be used for pre-jowl folds, which develop in front of the jowl area and are often caused by volume shifting away from the mid and lower face. Collagen loss is another contributing factor to pre-jowl folds, which can benefit from the properties of RADIESSE.
Chin Wrinkles
Horizontal lines or creases across the chin can become more noticeable with age, especially when the muscles in the lower face start to overcompensate for volume loss. RADIESSE can help minimize the appearance of these wrinkles by supporting the skin from within and providing a smoother surface. It can also help balance the chin’s appearance, especially when used in combination with other facial contouring treatments.
What Are the Benefits of Choosing RADIESSE?
- Immediate Visible Improvement: RADIESSE provides volume right away, so you can leave your appointment seeing noticeable softening in wrinkles and better definition in treated areas.
- Collagen Stimulation for Long-Term Support: Beyond initial results, your own collagen continues to strengthen the area over time, even after the filler material has been absorbed.
- Non-Surgical Treatments: All injections are done in-office without local or general anesthesia. We always use topical numbing cream to keep our patients comfortable.
- FDA-approved: RADIESSE has been reviewed and cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for cosmetic use in specific facial areas.
Before Your RADIESSE Treatments
The first step in treatment is to meet with Dr. Lee and discuss your overall beauty goals. During this consultation, you’ll go over the specific areas you’d like to improve, your medical history, and any past experiences with injectables. Dr. Lee will evaluate your facial anatomy, assess skin quality, and help determine whether RADIESSE or another treatment is the right option.
Extensive preparation is not needed before RADIESSE, but there will be a few things to keep in mind. Sometimes, patients are advised to stop blood-thinning medications and supplements before treatments since they can cause a higher risk of bruising at the injection sites. If you are prone to bruising, you should also avoid alcohol consumption. Two days before your treatment, we will have you start taking Arnicare Tablets to prevent bruising after your injections. If you have an active rash or infection in the treatment area, let us know so we can reschedule.
What Are RADIESSE Treatments Like?
Before the injection begins, Dr. Lee will review your treatment plan, answer any last-minute questions, and cleanse the skin. Once the treatment areas are decided, a topical numbing agent is applied. Dr. Lee will inject RADIESSE at several points in each zone to spread the product out evenly and produce a symmetrical result. A blunt tip cannula is used for most areas. The process takes less than an hour, depending on how many areas are being treated.
After Your RADIESSE Treatments
There is no downtime after injections, but it is important to take care of your skin. Don’t overly manipulate the injection area and avoid wearing makeup or lotion in the immediate hours after treatment. There may be some bruising, swelling, or redness around the injection sites, but these are temporary and will go away in a few days.
You will continue taking Arnicare Tablets for two days after your treatment, or until swelling and bruising go away. You can also use ice packs covered in a rag or cloth to place on areas of swelling for one or two days after your injections.
It is best to avoid strenuous exercise, alcohol, and excessive sun or heat exposure for at least 24 hours. We recommend sleeping on your back rather than your side, with your head slightly elevated on the first night to reduce swelling. You should also avoid facials, massages or other cosmetic treatments near the injection sites for a few days. Dr. Lee will provide specific aftercare tips based on your treatment plan to help you get the most out of your results.
Timeline of RADIESSE Results
- Immediately after treatment: You’ll notice instant volume and lift in the treated areas, and sometimes swelling that can make the area look temporarily fuller.
- 1 to 2 days after treatment: Mild bruising or tenderness may still be present, but should begin to fade. Most patients feel comfortable returning to normal activities.
- 1 to 2 weeks after treatment: Swelling has typically resolved, and the treated areas will begin to settle into a more natural appearance. Early collagen activity may already be underway beneath the surface, but is not usually visible.
- 4 to 6 weeks after treatment: Collagen production becomes more active during this period, improving skin texture and firmness.
- 3 months and beyond: By this point, your own collagen is contributing to the overall structure and support of your skin. This is when the biostimulator effect is most visible and lasts beyond the filler’s presence.
Who Are the Ideal Candidates for RADIESSE?
RADIESSE is best suited for adults who are looking for a non-surgical way to increase volume and who want both immediate improvement and collagen stimulation.
Good candidates may include:
- Adults in good health with no active infections in the treatment area
- Individuals with moderate volume loss or contour changes
- Patients who prefer injectables that offer longer-lasting results
- Those who are not pregnant or breastfeeding
- People who have realistic expectations and want a gradual, natural-looking improvement
RADIESSE is not recommended for individuals with severe allergies, bleeding disorders, or a history of anaphylaxis. Patients with autoimmune conditions or those currently taking immunosuppressive therapy should also consult with Dr. Lee to determine if this filler is appropriate.
RADIESSE Considerations
RADIESSE Cannot Be Dissolved Like Hyaluronic Acid Fillers
Unlike hyaluronic acid fillers, RADIESSE cannot be broken down with an enzyme injection. Once placed, it must naturally degrade over time as your body absorbs the product. Planning and placement are both important, especially for patients trying injectable treatments for the first time or those looking for more flexibility.
RADIESSE Is Not Appropriate for All Facial Areas
RADIESSE is a thicker filler that provides deep tissue support. It may be unsuitable for areas with thin or highly mobile skin. It should not be used close to the eyes or lips, where finer fillers may be more appropriate. During your consultation, Dr. Lee will assess which areas are appropriate for RADIESSE and whether a different filler may be more suitable elsewhere.
Injector Experience Is Important
Because of its firmness, longevity, and collagen-stimulating properties, RADIESSE requires an experienced injector who understands facial anatomy and product behavior. Placement depth, volume control and technique all affect how the product looks and feels over time.
Customizing RADIESSE Treatments
Combining RADIESSE With Other Fillers
RADIESSE is ideal for restoring deeper volume and contour, but is often used in combination with other fillers to treat multiple layers of the face. We offer a selection of other dermal fillers such as the JUVÉDERM® family and the Restylane® line, so we can choose the product that is best for each concern.
Combining RADIESSE With Neuromodulators
Wrinkles caused by muscle movement, such as those across the forehead or between the brows, are best treated with neuromodulators like Botox® or Dysport®. When combined with a RADIESSE treatment, these products can address both dynamic and structural concerns at the same time.
FAQs About RADIESSE
How Painful Are RADIESSE Injections?
We use techniques during injectables so that you will not feel pain during your appointment. RADIESSE contains a small amount of lidocaine, which numbs the area as we go, and topical numbing increases this comfort.
How Long Do Results Last?
The longevity of RADIESSE results varies from person to person but typically lasts around 12 to 18 months. Factors like your age, metabolism, skincare and how expressive your face is can all influence how long the effects remain visible. Because of the collagen stimulation it provides, some patients feel they maintain results longer than with other fillers. Follow-up treatments can help extend the benefits.
Will My Results Look Natural?
RADIESSE is designed to enhance rather than change your facial features. When injected correctly, it adds subtle volume and improves facial contours without making the skin look tight or overfilled. Your own natural collagen production will also look natural as the results continue in the weeks after treatment.
How Many RADIESSE Treatments Will I Need?
Most patients see great results after a single session, but the number of treatments depends on your facial structure and overall goals. Some patients may benefit from touch-up appointments or several appointments to build volume gradually.
About Our Services in Little Rock, AR
At Mimi Lee M.D. PA, we combine expert technique with individualized attention to help patients feel cared for at every stage of treatment. Dr. Lee performs all treatments herself. She brings over two decades of injection experience and a deep understanding of facial anatomy to each appointment.
Dr. Lee takes the time to evaluate your features, listen to your goals, and recommend only what will truly benefit you. Treatments are offered in a comfortable, in-office setting with minimal downtime and appointment times that fit your schedule. As both a skilled surgeon and trusted provider, Dr. Lee approaches cosmetic care with precision, compassion and honesty. Patients across Little Rock and the surrounding areas choose us for results that look natural and care that feels personal.
Restore Facial Volume with RADIESSE in Little Rock, AR
If you want to refresh your appearance or restore definition to areas that have changed with age, RADIESSE offers a non-surgical way to support and lift the skin. This injectable treatment is especially appealing to patients who want both immediate improvement and longer-term collagen stimulation. With the right technique, RADIESSE can enhance facial structure while still preserving your natural look.
Dr. Lee is proud to offer facial rejuvenation treatments such as RADIESSE to her patients. If you are curious about what plumper, smoother looks can do for you, Dr. Lee or a member of our medical team will be more than happy to speak with you! Call our offices and set up a consultation today!