Safety of Radiesse Injections for Buttock Augmentation
Radiesse (calcium hydroxylapatite) injections are not safe for buttock augmentation and should not be used for this purpose due to significant safety concerns and lack of FDA approval for this indication.
Composition and Approved Uses of Radiesse
- Radiesse is a sterile, semi-solid, cohesive injectable implant composed of synthetic calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres (25-45 microns diameter) suspended in a gel carrier of carboxymethylcellulose 1
- FDA-approved indications for Radiesse are limited to facial augmentation, including correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles/folds and treatment of facial fat loss due to HIV infection 1, 2
- Radiesse is designed specifically for facial volumizing and has not been evaluated or approved for large-volume injections in areas like the buttocks 3
Safety Concerns for Buttock Augmentation
- Radiesse injections in non-facial areas carry significant risks, particularly when used in large volumes required for buttock augmentation 4
- Potential complications include:
- Foreign body granulomatous reactions, which have been reported even in approved injection sites 5
- Vascular occlusion, which can lead to tissue necrosis if product is inadvertently injected into blood vessels 3
- Nodule formation when administered in large doses 3
- Potential for migration of product when used in high-movement areas like the buttocks 4
Evidence Against Use in Buttocks
- No clinical guidelines support the use of Radiesse for buttock augmentation 3, 4
- Case reports have documented adverse events such as granuloma formation and even alopecia at injection sites, suggesting potential for serious complications when used off-label 5
- The volume limitations of Radiesse make it impractical for buttock augmentation, which typically requires much larger volumes than facial applications 3, 1
Appropriate Alternatives for Buttock Augmentation
- For patients seeking buttock augmentation, safer FDA-approved options include:
- Surgical buttock augmentation with implants
- Autologous fat transfer (Brazilian Butt Lift), performed by qualified plastic surgeons with appropriate safety protocols
- FDA-approved fillers specifically tested and approved for large-volume augmentation
Conclusion
- The use of Radiesse for buttock augmentation represents an off-label application with no supporting clinical evidence for safety or efficacy 3, 4
- The risk of serious complications, including granuloma formation, vascular compromise, and product migration, outweighs any potential benefits 5, 3
- Patients seeking buttock augmentation should be directed to FDA-approved procedures and products specifically tested for this purpose 4, 2