At just over thirty, I’m finding lines and wrinkles where, just a few years ago, my skin was smooth as glass. Looking at pictures from five years ago I find myself thinking, Geez, what’s happened? I’ve taken good care of my skin, ponied up for the latest creams and serums, bi-monthly deep cleansing facials, even chemical peels. I always wear sun block, exfoliate regularly, and drink the proscribed eight glasses of water a day. Heck, I’ve even been a vegetarian for over twenty years! Nonetheless, I’m looking older.

The fact is youth is not eternal no matter how hard we try. Even the effects of the latest medical advances in surgery, chemical peels, laser resurfacing treatments and injections seem to be fleeting. There’s always another impending treatment, a necessary follow-up one or two months down the line. Well, that may not be the case anymore. I’ve been doing my research, and there seems to be a new breakthrough treatment out on the market which is being pushed as permanent Botox. This treatment, manufactured by Bioform, Inc. , is called Radiance also known as Radiesse.

Believe it or not, Radiance is not new to the field of medicine. In fact, doctors have been using Radiance to treat paralysis and insufficiencies of the vocal cords for many years now. However, the appearance of Radiance on the dermatological scene is a new and groundbreaking discovery. No one would have ever guessed just how effective this medical procedure could be on the fight against aging.

Most successful in the treatment of deep lines and wrinkles, the effects of Radiance injections have been shown to last significantly longer than both collagen and Botox treatments. According to studies, the results achieved through a single treatment with Radiance can last for up to five years. Until now, such long lasting results were unheard of.

Not unlike collagen, Radiance is injected into facial lines and wrinkles where it fills the tissues with a special solution. This solution contains Hydroxylapatite micro spheres (a natural element found in teeth and bones). Once injected into the skin, these spheres of Hydroxylapatite are trapped by collagen fibers which act to reduce the appearance of deep lines and wrinkles. Because Radiance is hypoallergenic and has no side effects, there is little risk involved in this procedure. Furthermore, the office visit is only about ten to fifteen minutes and there is no down time. Treatment with Radiance appears to offer easy, immediate results.

According to DocShop.com, the cost of Radiesse ranges from $650 to $800 per syringe. Although this price range is higher than other cosmetic fillers, Radiesse offers longer-lasting results, requiring less frequent treatments.