What is Radiesse, and how does it compare to fillers?

Radiesse Treatment, Wakefield, West Yorkshire

When it comes to facial rejuvenation, most people have heard of dermal fillers - treatments that restore lost volume and contour the face instantly. But there’s another injectable that’s fast becoming a favourite among aesthetic practitioners and patients alike: Radiesse. Known as a biostimulatory filler, Radiesse works quite differently from traditional hyaluronic acid fillers, helping to lift, firm and improve skin quality by stimulating your body’s own collagen production.

At Butterfly Aesthetics, we take this treatment a step further with hyper-diluted Radiesse and hybrid Radiesse protocols, often combining it with regenerative injectables like polynucleotides and skin boosters. This powerful combination not only rebuilds structure but also improves hydration and texture - creating results that look fresh, natural and long-lasting.

What is Radiesse?

Radiesse is a collagen-stimulating injectable made from calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres suspended in a smooth gel carrier. Unlike hyaluronic acid fillers, which simply add volume by filling space under the skin, Radiesse encourages the body to produce more of its own collagen and elastin.

Once injected, the gel provides an immediate subtle lift, while the CaHA particles create a scaffold within the skin that triggers fibroblasts - the cells responsible for collagen synthesis. Over time, as new collagen forms and the gel is absorbed, the treated area becomes firmer, smoother and better supported. The result is natural, long-lasting rejuvenation that comes from within rather than relying on artificial volume.

Hyper-diluted Radiesse: A powerhouse collagen stimulator

In its standard form, Radiesse can be used to restore structure and contour in areas such as the cheeks, chin and jawline. However, when it is diluted with saline and lidocaine, a technique known as hyper-dilution, it behaves differently.

Instead of creating volume, hyper-diluted Radiesse is injected in very fine threads across larger areas such as the lower face, neck and décolletage. This diluted form stimulates collagen and elastin production without adding bulk, improving firmness and elasticity in areas of laxity. Over the following weeks and months, the skin becomes thicker, tighter and more resilient, giving a subtle yet noticeable lifting effect that continues to improve over time.

Hybrid Radiesse: Regeneration on multiple levels

While hyper-diluted Radiesse alone offers impressive rejuvenation, combining it with other regenerative injectables like polynucleotides or skin boosters creates what we call hybrid Radiesse. This approach allows us to target multiple layers of ageing at once, addressing not only structure but also hydration, repair and radiance.

Polynucleotides are purified DNA fragments that act as biological messengers, encouraging cell regeneration and improving tissue quality. When used alongside Radiesse, they enhance the skin’s ability to repair itself, reduce inflammation and boost elasticity. Skin boosters, such as hyaluronic acid injectables, can then be added to improve hydration and luminosity, completing a 360-degree skin rejuvenation effect.

This layered approach helps us achieve beautifully natural results: firmer, more lifted skin with a smooth, hydrated surface that looks healthy and radiant. It is not about creating volume, but about supporting the skin so that it behaves and looks younger over time.

How Radiesse compares to traditional fillers

Traditional dermal fillers, usually made from hyaluronic acid (HA), are designed to add instant volume and shape. They work beautifully for contouring areas like the lips, cheeks or chin, and their effects are immediate. However, they do not stimulate collagen production and gradually break down over time as the HA is reabsorbed by the body.

Radiesse, on the other hand, takes a regenerative approach. While it provides some initial lift, its true power lies in stimulating long-term collagen and elastin production. This means the improvements continue to build gradually and last longer, often up to 12 to 18 months.

Another key difference is texture. HA fillers have a gel-like consistency that integrates smoothly into the skin, while Radiesse, particularly in its hyper-diluted form, feels lighter and more supportive. It is ideal for patients who simply want to restore firmness and elasticity naturally.

For many, the best results come from using both HA fillers to restore structure where needed, and Radiesse to strengthen and rejuvenate the skin foundation for a more youthful, lifted appearance.

What to expect from treatment

A typical Radiesse treatment takes around 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the areas being treated. The procedure involves small, precise injections into targeted zones. There may be some mild redness or swelling immediately after treatment, but this usually settles within 24 hours.

You can expect to see some initial improvement straight away due to the gel carrier, but the real results develop gradually as collagen and elastin rebuild. Over the next few months, skin feels firmer, smoother and more elastic. Results can last up to 18 months, and maintenance sessions can help prolong the effects.

Radiesse is not a traditional filler. It is a powerful biostimulator that encourages your skin to regenerate from within, improving texture, elasticity and firmness for long-lasting, natural results. When used in its hyper-diluted or hybrid form, it becomes one of the most versatile and effective tools in modern aesthetics.

If you are looking for a treatment that restores structure, lifts sagging skin and enhances overall skin quality, Radiesse could be the perfect choice. Book a consultation with the Butterfly Aesthetics, Wakefield team (LINK) today to find out whether hyper-diluted or hybrid Radiesse is right for you, and discover how we can help you achieve a fresher, more confident look, naturally.