Radiesse: what it is, what the FDA has approved it for, how long it lasts and the risks

Radiesse is a dermal filler made with calcium hydroxylapatite, a mineral that is a major component of bone. It is injected under the skin to smooth wrinkles and folds and to add volume.³⁴ It is FDA-approved, and the approval has been widened several times since 2006.¹

Here is what the FDA's approval record lists, how long it lasts, what can go wrong and what to ask. It gives no dose and no technique. Whether to have it is for you and a clinician.

What the FDA has approved it for

The FDA's approval record for Radiesse starts in December 2006, for correcting moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds.¹ Later approvals added the back of the hand in 2015, jawline contour in adults over 21 in 2021 and wrinkles of the chest, the décolleté, in people 22 and older in March 2026.¹

The dermatologic surgeons' society also lists the facial fat loss that comes with HIV.² It says Radiesse is not used for lip augmentation, for fine lines around the mouth or under the eyes.² Fillers are approved for specific uses, so ask whether the one you are offered is approved for your area.⁴

How long it lasts

The sources differ. The FDA says the effects of calcium hydroxylapatite last approximately 18 months.³ The society says typically about 12 months, and says additional injections are then needed to maintain the effect.² What you get depends on the area and on you, so ask your provider what they expect.

The society says Radiesse gives immediate results and, over time, also increases collagen production in the areas injected.²

Side effects and risks

After treatment for wrinkles and folds, the society says to expect bruising that may last up to a week, plus swelling and redness.²

The most serious risk for any dermal filler is accidental injection into a blood vessel. The FDA says that can cause skin necrosis (death of tissue), stroke or blindness, and that while the chance is low, the complications can be serious and may be permanent.⁴

The society says Radiesse isn't recommended for people with current oral herpes or a similar infection, uncontrolled diabetes, blood-clotting problems, an allergy to its ingredients or a history of anaphylaxis, or who are pregnant or breastfeeding.²

At the clinics we list

1,205 of the 7,475 med spas we list name Radiesse among their brands. Naming a brand doesn't tell you what a clinic stocks or uses, so ask.⁵

Our comparison of Sculptra and Radiesse sets the two side by side. Which licensed professionals may inject depends on your state; see our guide to choosing a lip filler provider for the checks that apply to any filler.

Here is what to bring to a consultation.

Cost

We don't give prices on this page.

Common questions