Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
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Dr. Max Gomez reporting Smile lines and crows feet are sure signs of aging, signs most people would rather do without.
"These come from smiling, when you smile, you see they get deeper. Now when you relax your face, you will still see those."
Lee Bryant is a busy, professional woman who, after a lifetime of facial expressions and gravity, is showing some signs of aging in her face. She's had collagen injections in the past to fill in those lines.
Lee Bryant, Radiesse Patient: "The collagen works and looks great but it doesn't last so, you know so it's good for three months and then it's gone."
So today Lee is having the latest generation of facial filler injected. It's called Radiesse and it has several advantages over previous fillers.
Dr. Bruce Katz, Juva Skin and Laser Center: "We haven't seen any reactions at all from Radiesse. The interesting thing about this product, not only does it fill in these deep depressions but it also stimulates new collagen, so that you get longer lasting correction."
Radiesse is injected into the skin pretty much the same way as collagen or another filler called Restylane. What makes it different is that this is
Made of tiny microspheres of a natural material called calcium hydroxyappetite, which means no allergic reaction and longer lasting results.
The injections are a little uncomfortable so Lee applied an anesthetic cream about an hour ago. She's having the folds around her mouth filled in, but Radiesse can be used wherever you need to elevate the skin a bit.
Dr. Bruce Katz, Juva Skin and Laser Center: "Around the nose, around the mouth, sometimes around the eyes, and also, under the eyes, where people get what we call sad pads or deepened tear troughs."
Just a few minutes after her treatment, lee's face is a little red and puffy, which goes a way in a day or so. But she can already tell she likes the results.
Lee Bryant, Radiesse Patient: "You know, I don't have any wrinkles, no folds. That's good."
Radiesse costs about 800 to a thousand dollars per treatment and lasts about two years.
