What Radiesse is
Radiesse is made of calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres suspended in a gel. The formulation offered at Embrace, Radiesse (+), also contains lidocaine. It works in two ways at once.
Filler support
The gel adds immediate volume and support, smoothing certain wrinkles and folds or restoring definition where jawline contour has changed.
Biostimulatory activity
As the gel is absorbed, the CaHA microspheres act as a scaffold that supports your skin's own collagen and elastin production. That's why Radiesse is also called a biostimulator.
Lidocaine for comfort
The lidocaine helps reduce injection-related discomfort during and after treatment.
FDA-approved uses, and what Embrace offers
The Radiesse family has several FDA-approved uses: moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, hand volume loss, jawline contour (Radiesse (+)) and, since 2026, a diluted preparation for chest (décolleté) wrinkles. The facial, jawline and chest approvals apply to adults 22 and older.
Facial wrinkles and folds
FDA-approved for adults 22 and older to smooth moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as the smile lines that run from nose to mouth (nasolabial folds).
Jawline contour
FDA-approved for adults 22 and older to improve moderate to severe loss of jawline contour.
What Embrace offers
Embrace currently offers the lidocaine-containing Radiesse (+) for facial wrinkles and folds and for jawline contour, plus Hyperdilute Radiesse. If you're curious about the hands or chest, ask at your consultation whether treatment fits your plan.
Hyperdilute Radiesse
Hyperdilute Radiesse is the same CaHA product, diluted further so it spreads in a thin layer. It's used when the goal is collagen support and skin quality rather than immediate volume.
A diluted preparation is now FDA-approved for chest wrinkles. Other hyperdilute uses, such as the neck, are off-label. Dr. Pabona will explain what's approved, what isn't, and whether it fits your goals.
How Radiesse compares with other options
Radiesse is both a filler and a biostimulator. Sculptra is a different biostimulator that works more gradually, and hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are selected for different concerns. One practical difference: HA fillers can be dissolved with an enzyme, but Radiesse can't, so careful planning matters. It also isn't used in the lips.
No single injectable is right for every concern. For a side-by-side breakdown, see Sculptra vs Radiesse.
Your consultation and treatment
Every Radiesse plan begins with a conversation about your goals and health history.
Step 1: discuss your goals
Share what you'd like to address and what a natural, balanced result means to you.
Step 2: review your health history
Dr. Pabona reviews your medical history, prior injectable treatments, medications, allergies and the area you're considering.
Step 3: review your plan
If Radiesse is appropriate, he explains the treatment area, what to expect, important risks, aftercare and any alternatives worth considering.
Treatment day and aftercare
Treatment is a brief in-office visit. Smoothing and support are visible right away, while collagen stimulation continues over time. Temporary bruising, redness, swelling, pain or itching can occur. Manufacturer guidance is to limit strenuous activity and avoid extensive sun or heat, including hot tubs and bathhouses, for about 24 hours and until swelling or redness resolves.
Care guided by Dr. Pabona
Dr. John Mark Pabona, MD, FACP, is board certified in internal medicine (ABIM) and credentialed by the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine. He weighs your anatomy, health history and goals when comparing injectables, so product choice, placement, risks and alternatives are covered in one conversation.
Radiesse isn't one-size-fits-all. A skin consultation gives you room to understand your options and decide whether treatment fits your priorities. It's complimentary when you purchase a treatment or skincare product.
Radiesse cost in Hot Springs
Radiesse is part of our dermal filler pricing, which starts at $699 per syringe. Your total depends on the treatment area and how many syringes your plan needs. Embrace reviews your exact recommendations and pricing before you decide, and CareCredit financing is accepted. Browse the full treatment menu to see what pairs well.
Deep dermis
- Epidermis
- Dermis
- Deep dermis
- Fat pads
- Muscle
Questions
Common questions about Radiesse
Is Radiesse a filler or a biostimulator?
Both. Radiesse is a calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) dermal filler that provides immediate support, and its microspheres also stimulate collagen and elastin over time. Which role matters most depends on your plan. Standard Radiesse is used for structure, while Hyperdilute Radiesse is spread thinly when the goal is collagen support and skin quality.
What's in Radiesse?
Radiesse contains tiny calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres suspended in a water-based gel. Calcium hydroxylapatite is similar to a mineral found naturally in bones and teeth. The version offered at Embrace, Radiesse (+), also contains lidocaine, a local anesthetic, to reduce discomfort during and after the injections.
Is Radiesse a good filler for cheeks?
Radiesse is often used to add structure to the midface, but cheek augmentation isn't one of its specific FDA-approved indications, so it's a physician judgment call. Its approved facial uses are wrinkles and folds and jawline contour. Depending on your anatomy, Dr. Pabona may recommend Radiesse, a hyaluronic acid filler or Sculptra for cheek volume.
What are the downsides of Radiesse?
Common side effects are temporary bruising, redness, swelling, pain or itching at the injection site. Unlike hyaluronic acid fillers, Radiesse can't be dissolved with an enzyme if you dislike the result, so conservative planning matters. It isn't used in the lips, and small lumps or nodules can occur. Dr. Pabona reviews your risks before treatment.
How soon will I see Radiesse results, and how long do they last?
Smoothing and support are visible right after treatment, and collagen and elastin stimulation continues over the following months. Manufacturer materials report results lasting up to two years in studies. How long yours last depends on the treatment area, your plan and how your body responds, so individual results vary.
How many Radiesse treatments will I need?
There's no single schedule that fits everyone. Dr. Pabona considers your starting point, goals, treatment area and how you respond before recommending the number and timing of visits. Some plans need one visit, while others build over several, and he'll review the schedule with you before you begin.
How much does Radiesse cost?
Radiesse is included in our dermal filler pricing, which starts at $699 per syringe. Your total depends on the treatment area and how many syringes your plan needs. Embrace reviews your exact recommendations and pricing before you decide whether to move forward, and CareCredit financing is accepted.
