BHRC BLOG
Is Radiesse Reversible? Dissolving, Migration and How Long It Lasts
Injectables · Radiesse
Radiesse is a long-lasting filler that also builds collagen. The trade-off is that it cannot be dissolved. Here is what the label says about reversing it, migration and how long it lasts.
Is Radiesse reversible?
No. Radiesse is made of calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres in a gel of water, glycerin and sodium carboxymethylcellulose. It is not hyaluronic acid, so hyaluronidase, the enzyme injectors use to dissolve hyaluronic acid fillers such as Juvéderm and Restylane, does not break it down. The Radiesse instructions for use describe no agent that dissolves or reverses it. The FDA’s own guidance on fillers says removal “may be difficult or impossible”, especially for fillers that are not hyaluronic acid.
The gel part of Radiesse is absorbed over the months after treatment, and the microspheres prompt your skin to build collagen and elastin around them. So the product does not stay forever, but there is no way to make it go away faster on demand.
What about sodium thiosulfate?
You will see sodium thiosulfate mentioned online as a way to “dissolve” Radiesse. It is not approved for that. A 2020 preclinical study, run in the lab and in pigs, found no sign that sodium thiosulfate broke down the calcium hydroxylapatite, and saw tissue damage after it was injected. Treat any claim that Radiesse can be reliably reversed with caution.
What happens if you do not like the result?
This is why good Radiesse treatment is conservative. The label tells injectors not to overfill, because the area keeps improving for several weeks as the collagen response develops. Small irregularities are often handled by gentle molding soon after treatment. Firm lumps or nodules can occur and are managed by your provider; in the hand study, 12% of people reported nodules, bumps or lumps, which can last up to a year. If an infection ever develops, the label notes it may need attempted surgical removal.
Does Radiesse migrate?
It is uncommon, but no one should tell you it is impossible. The FDA lists migration, meaning filler moving away from where it was injected, among the rare risks reported for dermal fillers. Merz’s list of events reported after approval, across all Radiesse indications, includes “product displacement/migration”. In the jawline study, about 23% of people noted some feeling of product “movement or shifting” in their diaries in the days after treatment, most of it mild.
What keeps Radiesse in place is mostly technique: placing it at the right depth (deep beneath the skin or on the bone for the jawline), using conservative amounts, and avoiding areas where its safety has not been established. The label says safety in the lips and around the eyes has not been established, and nodules have been reported in lips. That is why BHRC does not use Radiesse there.
Is Radiesse permanent?
No. It is a long-lasting, not permanent, treatment. Merz reports that results “have been shown to last up to 2 years”. How long yours lasts depends on the area, how much was used and your own collagen response. Long-term safety beyond three years in the face, one year in the hands and 84 weeks in the chest has not been studied in clinical trials, which is worth knowing if you plan to repeat treatment for many years.
Radiesse vs hyaluronic acid filler on reversibility
| Radiesse | Hyaluronic acid filler | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres in a cellulose gel | Hyaluronic acid gel |
| Can it be dissolved? | No. Hyaluronidase does not break it down; no approved reversal agent | Yes, with hyaluronidase |
| How it works | Immediate support, then collagen and elastin stimulation | Fills and holds water |
| How long it lasts | Up to 2 years, per Merz | About 6 to 18 months, by product and area |
| Lips | Not used; safety not established | The usual choice |
| Shows on X-ray or CT | Yes: clearly visible on CT, may show on plain X-ray | Not in the same way |
One more thing: Radiesse shows up on scans
The microspheres are radiopaque. The label says they are clearly visible on CT scans and may be visible on standard X-rays, so tell your doctors and radiologists you have had Radiesse. In a study of 58 patients, there was no sign that it hid abnormal tissue or was mistaken for a tumor on CT. For the 2026 chest indication, diluted Radiesse was not seen on mammograms or breast ultrasound in 75 patients, though imaging of the injection area itself was not studied.
How much is Radiesse at BHRC?
| Clinic | Radiesse, per syringe |
|---|---|
| West Hollywood | $900 |
| West Los Angeles | $900 |
| Westlake Village | $800 |
| Valencia | $800 |
| Downtown Summerlin | $900 |
| Henderson | $700 ($560 Beauty Bank member) |
| Paradise Valley | $900 |
| Houston CityCentre | $800 |
| Houston River Oaks | $800 |
List prices from each clinic’s current price sheet, November 2026. New clients save 15% on a first single syringe at West Hollywood, West LA, Westlake Village, Valencia, Downtown Summerlin and Paradise Valley.
For what Radiesse is approved for, how it compares with Sculptra and how many syringes each area takes, see our Radiesse guide and prices. For the diluted version used on the chest, read hyperdilute Radiesse, explained.
Where to get Radiesse at BHRC
All nine BHRC clinics offer Radiesse, with a consultation before any treatment. Choose your clinic:
Frequently asked questions
Can Radiesse be dissolved with hyaluronidase?
No. Hyaluronidase breaks down hyaluronic acid, and Radiesse is calcium hydroxylapatite in a cellulose gel. The Radiesse labeling describes no agent that reverses it.
Is Radiesse hyaluronic acid?
No. It is calcium hydroxylapatite, a mineral similar to one found in bone, suspended in a gel of water, glycerin and sodium carboxymethylcellulose.
Does Radiesse go away on its own?
Yes, gradually. The gel is absorbed over months while new collagen forms. Merz reports results lasting up to two years.
Can Radiesse move after it is injected?
Rarely. Migration is listed among rare filler risks by the FDA and among Merz’s post-marketing reports for Radiesse. Correct depth and conservative volumes reduce the risk.
Can Radiesse go in the lips?
No. Its safety and effectiveness in the lips have not been established, and nodules have been reported there. Hyaluronic acid filler is used for lips.
Is Radiesse safe?
It has been FDA approved since 2006. Common effects are bruising, redness, swelling, pain and itching, mostly gone within a week. Rare but serious risks, as with any filler, include injection into a blood vessel, which is why it should only be injected by a trained, licensed provider.
Does Radiesse earn rewards?
Yes. Radiesse earns points in Merz’s Xperience+ program, which BHRC accepts. Merz lists 200 points per syringe, with every 100 points worth $10 toward a future treatment.
References
- Merz Aesthetics. RADIESSE injectable implant instructions for use (face and décolleté, 2026): composition, indications, warnings, precautions, clinical studies. radiesse.com
- Merz Aesthetics. RADIESSE (+) Lidocaine instructions for use: jawline indication, jaw function, adverse events and post-marketing reports. radiesse.com
- Merz Aesthetics. RADIESSE instructions for use, dorsum of the hand. radiesse.com
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Dermal fillers (soft tissue fillers): risks, removal and unapproved uses. fda.gov
- Danysz W, et al. Can sodium thiosulfate act as a reversal agent for calcium hydroxylapatite filler? Results of a preclinical study. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2020. PMID 33408497. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Merz Aesthetics. RADIESSE frequently asked questions: results, duration, hyperdiluted RADIESSE. radiesse.com
- Merz Aesthetics. Xperience+ rewards: points per brand, redemption and terms. xperiencemerz.com
Beverly Hills Rejuvenation Center. This content is general education and does not create a provider-patient relationship or constitute medical advice. Candidacy, dosing, results and pricing vary by person and by clinic and are confirmed at your consultation. Prices shown are standard list prices as of November 2026 and exclude promotions. Written and reviewed by the BHRC clinical team.
