Plump the Skin, Minimize the Lines
Radiesse®
Dr. Jonathan Zelken, MD · Board-Certified · Newport Beach, CA
With years of experience in collagen-stimulating dermal fillers, Dr. Zelken and Aesthetic Nurse Miki use Radiesse® to smooth moderate to severe creases and restore natural fullness — for results that look and feel like you.
Approach
Dr. Zelken's Philosophy
At the Zelken Institute for Aesthetic Medicine in Newport Beach, we believe an injectable should refresh you, never announce itself. Dr. Jonathan Zelken and Aesthetic Nurse Miki approach Radiesse® the way an artist approaches a canvas — reading the anatomy of each face, placing product with restraint, and letting your own features lead.
Radiesse® is a favorite in our practice because it does more than fill. As a calcium hydroxylapatite filler, it provides immediate correction while stimulating your body's own collagen, so results build and soften naturally over time.
Dr. Zelken still considers fat grafting the gold standard for volume restoration — but Radiesse® is a close, minimally invasive second, with no downtime and a long safety record. Every treatment begins with a conversation about your goals, so the result is subtle, natural, and unmistakably you.
The Filler
What is Radiesse®?
Radiesse® is a dermal filler made from calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA), a mineral-like compound found naturally in bone and biosynthetically produced to lower the risk of allergic reaction. Because it is mineral-based and firmer than hyaluronic acid fillers, it is ideal for moderate to severe creases and for restoring fullness to the cheeks and facial contours — though it is never used in the lips.
Radiesse® commonly produces a very natural result, does not migrate, and rarely causes side effects. Sometimes we call it an "injectable implant," because of its potential to remain in place without complete resorption. With a long safety record and results shown to last a year or more, it is one of the most versatile fillers we offer.
Benefits of Radiesse®
Produces a very natural, undetectable result.
Does not migrate once it is injected.
Stimulates your body's own natural collagen.
Smooths moderate to severe facial creases.
Restores fullness to cheeks and facial contours.
Results have been shown to last a year or more.
Is It Right For You
Who is a Good Radiesse® Candidate?
Radiesse® is well suited to men and women who are beginning to notice moderate to severe creases — nasolabial folds, marionette lines, frown lines — or a loss of fullness in the cheeks, facial contours, or hands. Because it is firmer and mineral-based, it excels where structure and lift are needed, though it is not used in the lips.
The best candidates are in good general health, are not pregnant or breastfeeding, and have realistic expectations about a natural, gradual result. If you've had other fillers, threads, or resurfacing in the past, you may still be an excellent candidate. During your consultation, Dr. Zelken or Nurse Miki will assess your anatomy and goals and recommend whether Radiesse®, another filler, or fat grafting is right for you.
The Science
How Radiesse® Works
The calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres are suspended in an aqueous gel carrier. When it is injected under the skin, it provides immediate results in volume and correction and continues to work by stimulating natural collagen production. As time passes, the gel is absorbed and the body metabolizes the CaHA microspheres, leaving behind the natural collagen.
Healing Timeline
What to Expect Afterward
Right After Treatment
- Results are visible immediately. Mild swelling, redness, or tenderness at the injection sites is normal and usually settles within a day or two.
The First Few Days
- Most patients return to normal activities the same day. Avoid pressing or massaging the treated area unless Dr. Zelken or Nurse Miki advises otherwise.
In the Weeks After
- Collagen stimulation continues gradually, so results soften and improve. With healthy skincare and sun protection, they can last a year or more.
The Outcome
Results & Longevity
Radiesse® offers something most fillers can't: an immediate improvement in volume and contour, followed by a gradual, natural build as it stimulates your own collagen. Over the following weeks and months, the gel carrier is absorbed and the body metabolizes the calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres, leaving behind fresh collagen of your own.
Because of this collagen-stimulating effect, results have been shown to last a year or more — longer than many hyaluronic-acid fillers. The hallmark of a Zelken result is subtlety: smoother creases, restored fullness, and a refreshed look that's noticed without ever looking overdone.
Transparency
Risks & Considerations
As with any injectable, Radiesse® can cause temporary swelling, redness, bruising, or tenderness at the injection site, and rarely, lumps or nodules. Because it is firmer than hyaluronic acid, it is not used in the lips. Dr. Zelken and Nurse Miki review your full history and all considerations during your consultation, and provide clear aftercare guidance to support a smooth result.
Common Questions
Radiesse® FAQ
Answers to the questions we hear most about Radiesse® dermal filler.
Radiesse® is made from calcium hydroxylapatite, a mineral-like compound found naturally in bone and biosynthetically produced to lower the risk of allergic reaction.
Results are visible immediately and, because Radiesse® stimulates your own collagen, they have been shown to last a year or more.
No. Because it is mineral-based and firmer than hyaluronic acid, Radiesse® is not used in the lips, but it excels in creases, cheeks, and contours.
It's used for nasolabial folds, marionette lines, cheeks, facial contours, and areas of volume loss, and is a favorite of Nurse Miki for hand rejuvenation.
Yes. Radiesse® commonly produces a very natural result, does not migrate, and rarely causes side effects when placed by an experienced injector.
Most patients return to normal activities right away. Mild swelling, redness, or tenderness at the injection site typically settles within a day or two.
It's firmer and mineral-based rather than hyaluronic acid, so it both fills immediately and stimulates lasting collagen — sometimes called an "injectable implant."
Explore More
Related Treatments
Begin Your Journey
Ready for a Consultation?
Learn more about Radiesse® with Dr. Zelken or Aesthetic Nurse Miki. We serve patients across Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Beach — and around the world.