As reported in the February 2008 issue of Dermatologic Surgery, a study involving 60 patients compared the effects of calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse) versus stabilized hyaluronic acid (Juvederm, Restylane) for the treatement of nasolabial folds. The study was randomized and split-face, that is, one side received the hylauronic acid and the other side the radiesse. Patients were re-evaluated and 6, 9, and 12 months by an observer that did not know which side had received which treatment. The results were strongly in favor of Radiesse. At 12 months, 79% of treated folds were still improved vs. only 43% of hyaluronic acid folds. Both evaluators and patients preferred the Radiesse side two to one over the hyaluronic acid side.

Another study in the February 2007 issue of the Journal of Academic Dermatology also reported long-lasting correction of nasolabial folds with Radiesse. Among patients that had previously received hyaluronic acid injections, such as Restylane, Radiesse was preferred due to long-lasting effects and more cosmetically pleasing correction. Radiesse was well-tolerated and had no significant adverse effects in the study.

Of note, hyaluronic acids, such as Juvederm, are still the preferred injection material for lip augmentation. Calcium hydroxylapatite is know to sometimes cause small nodules under the skin that could be more easily visible under thin lip skin. This is not a significant issue when injecting in the thicker skin of the rest of the face.