Billion-dollar beauty question: With the market pretty much saturated as it is, which filler should you “plump for”, so to speak, when it comes to combating creases and crinkles in your complexion?
Answer: This may seem like a cop-out, but your decision ultimately depends on what your priorities are.
Hear us out. For starters, all FDA- and HSA-approved fillers in Singapore — think tried-and-tested treatments in the form of hyaluronic acid (HA) formulations like Belotero, Juvederm and Restylane — hinge upon the same primary principle: Ageing deflates, injectables inflate.
As time and tide take their toll, the cranking out of collagen in your dermis decelerates. It is this depletion that demolishes the skin’s scaffolding, slowly but surely culminating in the collapse of the suppleness and springiness of your skin.
Filler 101: A primer on how they work
To halt this hellish descent into decrepitude, facial fillers can aid in well, filling up for lost time by boosting bounciness and restoring volume. Some non-permanent HA fillers promise to plumpen by wicking water like a sponge, activating the assembly of natural collagen over time.
From my experience treating an entire spectrum of patients, most HA fillers should last about 12 months — with some crucial caveats, of course.
The mechanical movement of especially expressive zones like the nasolabial folds and fine lines above the lips tend to “eat up” fillers at a faster rate, so you may find yourself having to top up more regularly than you (and your pocket) would like.
Ramping up the stakes with Radiesse
Enter Radiesse, one of the non-HA kids on the block. Instead, this injectable is instead composed of calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHA) microspheres immersed in a next-gen gel that serves as a sort of padding material to instigate the initial — and instant — improvement.
Meanwhile, the phosphate and calcium ions in the CaHA microspheres prompt production of collagen for a visibly firmer visage over time, before eventually being resorbed to leave behind a latticework of collagen.
This short- and long-term one-two whammy is the reason why Radiesse treatments tend to last a solid year or so — even up to two years for some folks.
From prune to plum: Zeroing in on Radiesse-friendly zones
Used judiciously, Radiesse can alleviate the aged appearance of folds and furrows around the nose and mouth. Other applications include restoring volume and rejuvenating the back of your hands.
As with other fillers, treatment protocol is par for the course. Expect minimal discomfort and downtime; swelling should subside within two days, and any bruising can be disguised with a dab of concealer.
Having said that, it bears reiterating that Radiesse is not a permanent solution, and repeat treatments are necessary for maintenance of your mien.
But — and this is a big but — while botched jobs with standard fillers can be reversed with jabs of a specific enzyme that breaks down the bonds of the HA molecules, there is no known “antidote” for Radiesse treatments.
What this means is this: If you’re ready for Radiesse, it is incumbent on you to seek a trusted doctor who is registered with the Ministry of Health, and to be very specific in discussing your desired outcomes with said doctor.
Bottomline? Radiesse has the potential to be longer lasting than most because of its unique CaHA composition, and is a remedy for reviving volume in sunken skin. Its non-reversible (but still non-permanent) properties require precision placement and an professional eye for aesthetics.
Intrigued and raring to give Radiesse a go? I invite you to visit www.priveclinic.com or call +65 6737-6639 for a consultation. Good luck fighting the good fight against ageing!
