The procedure is tolerable and usually involves initial numbing with numbing cream for 15 to 20 minutes over the sites of injection.

The use of dermal fillers for facial sculpting can be considered an art and should not be rushed; typical sessions take 30 to 60 minutes, excluding numbing time.

Complications are also mitigated when the procedure is done more carefully and not rushed.

This depends on the area of treatment and method of treatment.

In general, you will be able to leave the clinic and return to work immediately after the session. Some patients might develop small bruises at the site of injection over the next few hours, but this settles over the following few days.

The application of dermal fillers in facial sculpting is no small feat, and a thorough discussion of possible complications with your doctor is important before choosing to undergo the procedure.

In general, common side effects include visible injection marks, bruising, slight swelling after injections, and slight redness that settles over a few hours.

Other less common side effects can occur, and are typically discussed in detail during a consultation.

No, Radiesse placed into the skin cannot be reversed.

This is one of the important features that separate it from HA fillers.

As such, the use of Radiesse should be only by experienced injectors.

My personal advice to patients is to always start with hyaluronic acid fillers (and not more permanent, non-dissolvable non-HA fillers) if:

1. It is your first time doing fillers
2. It is your first time doing fillers with a certain doctor
3. Your doctor has limited experience with fillers
4. You are unable to take the downtime associated with potential complications from non-HA fillers