Hongdae Entrance Station Dermatology Collagen Injection: When Do Radiesse Results Start? Side Effects Too

Hello.

I’m Beauty’s Doctor Kim Jang-ju.

As we age, the first change we often notice is

“hollowness.”

The cheeks become flatter than before,

nasolabial folds look deeper,

and the jawline becomes less defined.

In the past, this kind of change was

often thought of simply as “lost volume,”

so filling it with fillers was the common approach.

But recently,

the trend has changed a little.

More and more people prefer treatments that

help the skin recover on its own

rather than simply filling empty space.

That is why the keyword that often comes up in consultations is

collagen injection, Radiesse.

The concept of “structural regeneration,” not just simple volume

When consulting at Hongdae Entrance Station Dermatology,

before asking about the effect,

“Are there any side effects?”

“I heard nodules can form.”

We get many questions like these.

That shows this is a treatment with lots of information

but still not enough accurate understanding.

So today,

we’ll go over Radiesse’s ingredients, mechanism of action,

the process by which results appear,

and the key points for reducing side effects.

Ingredients and mechanism of action of Radiesse

The key ingredient in Radiesse is

CaHA (calcium hydroxylapatite).

This ingredient is a biocompatible substance

also found in our bones and teeth,

and it is considered relatively safe.

The CaHA microparticles

are uniformly dispersed in a CMC (carboxymethyl cellulose) gel.

The reason this combination matters is

because it works in two stages.

Stage 1: Immediate support effect

The CMC gel forms physical volume

immediately after injection.

So even right after the procedure,

you can see some degree of volume change.

Stage 2: Collagen regeneration stage

As time passes, the CMC is slowly absorbed,

and the CaHA particles stimulate the surrounding fibroblasts.

In this process,

✔ Increased production of type 1 and type 3 collagen

✔ Stimulation of elastin synthesis

✔ Increased proteoglycan production

✔ Stimulation of microvascular formation

occur, and the skin’s internal structure gradually becomes denser.

This is closer to the concept of strengthening the skin’s framework

rather than simply filling in a sunken area.

This is why, during collagen injection consultations at Hongdae Entrance Station Dermatology,

we explain both “improved elasticity” and “changes in skin texture.”

When do results become visible?

This is the question we hear most often.

“Can you see it right after the procedure?”

Immediate volume may be visible,

but the real changes

appear over time.

In general,

2–4 weeks

The skin texture gradually becomes softer

6–9 weeks

You begin to feel an increase in elasticity

Around 3 months

The structural regeneration effect stabilizes

This is the typical timeline.

Patients who visit Hongdae Entrance Station Dermatology also often say around the 6- to 8-week mark,

“My skin feels firmer.”

That is the period when collagen regeneration

starts to become fully active.

Are Radiesse side effects really dangerous?

With any procedure,

there is always a possibility.

Among Radiesse side effects,

the one mentioned most often is

“nodules.”

Nodules are more likely to occur when

the material collects too much in one area,

the dilution is not appropriate,

or the injection layer is inaccurate.

In particular, if collagen production is excessively stimulated,

it may feel firm to the touch.

This is important because it depends on

the practitioner’s skill level

and differences in the procedure method.

Three key ways to reduce nodules

At Hongdae Entrance Station Dermatology,

we especially emphasize the following three points.

Accurate dilution ratio

In the past, it was used like a filler,

but now, because the purpose is collagen regeneration,

saline dilution is essential.

Differences in concentration lead to differences in results.

Uniform hydration process

If the particles are not sufficiently hydrated,

minor clumping can occur.

Layer control

Uniform dispersion within the dermis is key.

Concentrated injection into a single point should be avoided.

When these three are followed,

the likelihood of Radiesse side effects

is significantly reduced.

In fact, the probability of nodules forming

is considered very low.

However, since the possibility is not 0%,

it is important to understand the principle before proceeding.

Who is Radiesse suitable for?

• People who feel filler treatment is burdensome

• People who want a natural volume recovery

• Those in the early aging stage, when nasolabial folds and cheek hollowness begin

• People who want both improved elasticity and better skin texture

On the other hand,

if you want an immediate and dramatic volume change,

another method may be more suitable.

During consultations at Hongdae Entrance Station Dermatology,

we create a customized plan by considering skin thickness,

the degree of hollowness,

and any history of previous procedures.

Key summary of collagen injections

🧪 Not just volume, but structural regeneration

🧪 Stimulates collagen and elastin at the same time

🧪 Results begin to develop in earnest from 6–9 weeks

🧪 The possibility of nodules is low, but it exists

🧪 Dilution, hydration, and uniform injection are key

The safest approach is to understand the procedure

and then decide.

If you are considering collagen injections,

please carefully check the ingredients, the mechanism,

and the injection method.

If you have any questions,

leave them in the comments.

I’ll answer them personally.

Thank you for reading.

This was Kim Jang-ju.