Last week the US Food and Drug Administration granted approval for a new treatment to combat frown lines, medically called nasolabial folds.

‘Radiesse’ was developed by BioForm Medical in 2002 for use in facial reconstructive surgery, but now the calcium based microsphere technology has been approved for other applications.

The new treatment is longer lasting as it not only fills in facial folds and depressions like existing ‘wrinkle fillers’, but also increases the bodies capacity to produce collagen. Collagen provides body to facial tissues.

COLLAGEN / FAT INJECTIONS
Procedure: Plump up creased, furrowed, or sunken facial skin; add fullness to lips and backs of hands. Works best on thin, dry, light-colored skin. 
Length: 15 minutes to 1 hour per session. 
Anesthesia: Usually none; local may be included with the injection.
In/Outpatient: Outpatient. 
Side Effects: Temporary stinging, throbbing, or burning sensation. Faint redness, swelling, excess fullness. 
Risks: Allergic reaction including rash, hives, swelling, or flu-like symptoms; possible triggering of connective-tissue or autoimmune diseases. (A skin test is required before collagen treatment to determine whether an allergy exists). Contour irregularities, infection. 
Duration of Results: Variable; a few months to 1 year.