A systematic review of Radiesse® (calcium hydroxylapatite): evidence and recommendations for the body.

Abstract

A filler composed of calcium hydroxylapatite and carboxymethylcellulose gel (CaHA/CMC) has been shown to possess biostimulatory and skin-tightening properties that have been applied not just to the face but also to the body to boost rejuvenation. Recently, evidence and recommendations for CaHA/CMC treatment of the face have been provided, but they are still lacking in terms of body treatment. This article aims to perform a systematic review of the literature on CaHA/CMC applications on the body and provide evidence from the literature. Currently, the only FDA-approved indication on the body is treating the hands and a recent European Union Medical Device Regulation approval has been released for decolletage treatment. The application of hyperdilutions on the neck, feet, arms, thighs, abdomen, and other body parts has been proven to provide a skin-tightening effect. However, despite their wide use with a good safety profile in clinical practice, recent trends and guidelines of diluted and hyperdiluted CaHA/CMC have yet to be supported by randomized controlled trials.