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More About Fillers · Dr Sin Yong · Orchard Road, Singapore

Dermal fillers vs Classic HA

Medically reviewed by Dr Sin Yong · Last reviewed · 10 min read · Jump to questions

Radiesse and Ellanse vs traditional hyaluronic acid fillers — understanding the key differences in mechanism, longevity, collagen stimulation and the right clinical application for each.

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16 July 2021
More About Fillers

Radiesse, Ellanse and HA fillers differ in mechanism: hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers add soft volume directly and can be dissolved with hyaluronidase, while Radiesse (calcium hydroxylapatite) and Ellanse (polycaprolactone) are biostimulators that add structure and prompt the body's own collagen, and cannot be dissolved. The zone being treated decides which suits.

All treatment comparisons →

Key takeaways
  • HA fillers add soft volume directly; Radiesse (calcium hydroxylapatite) and Ellanse (polycaprolactone) are biostimulators that prompt your own collagen.
  • The zone being treated decides which suits: Radiesse and Ellanse for structural zones, HA for lips and tear troughs.
  • Only HA filler can be dissolved with hyaluronidase; Radiesse and Ellanse cannot, so placement matters.
  • Skin quality, such as texture and hydration, is a different complaint from lost volume and is not fixed by any of them.
  • Dr Sin Yong, an aesthetic physician, assesses each zone and chooses the product.
On this page
  1. Dermal fillers vs Classic HA
  2. Who it suits, who should wait, who is referred on
  3. What happens, step by step
  4. Risks, side effects and when to call
  5. Aftercare
  6. Before you book
  7. What determines the fee
  8. Myths we hear in clinic
  9. Frequently Asked Questions
Key facts
What they are
HA fillers add volume; Radiesse (CaHA) and Ellanse (PCL) are biostimulators that also prompt collagen
Key distinction
Only HA can be dissolved, with hyaluronidase; Radiesse and Ellanse cannot
Where each is used
Radiesse and Ellanse for nose, chin, forehead and hands; HA for lips and tear troughs
How it is assessed
Each zone examined for volume loss, structure and skin quality before a product is chosen
Recovery and aftercare
Discussed at consultation; depends on the area, product and plan

Dermal fillers vs Classic HA

Not all fillers are the same. The filler category encompasses products with very different mechanisms, longevity, reversibility profiles and clinical applications. Understanding these differences is essential for selecting the right product for each patient and each anatomical zone.

Individual product pages: Sculptra · Ellansé · Radiesse · Deusaderm (injected collagen).

Classic HA Fillers

Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers are the most commonly used dermal fillers globally. They provide volume correction, are reversible with hyaluronidase, and how long they last varies with the product and zone. Classic HA fillers work primarily through physical volume replacement — they do not significantly stimulate collagen production.

Radiesse — Calcium Hydroxylapatite

Radiesse is composed of calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres suspended in a gel carrier. It provides volume and also acts as a biostimulator — the microsphere scaffold stimulates the patient's own collagen production. How long it lasts varies with the area and individual, and Radiesse is often chosen for structural support (nose, chin, jawline, forehead, hands).

Ellanse — Polycaprolactone

Ellanse uses polycaprolactone (PCL) microspheres, which biostimulate collagen even more substantially than Radiesse. Available in 1, 2, 3 and 4-year formulations, Ellanse provides sustained collagen stimulation long after the initial volume has resolved — making it particularly suitable for patients seeking long-term structural regeneration.

Dr Sin Yong uses Radiesse and Ellanse as his primary filler products for structural zones — nose, chin, forehead, and hands. HA fillers are reserved for zones requiring precision soft-tissue correction (lips, tear troughs) where reversibility is paramount.

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“These are not three versions of one product. One adds volume, one provokes the body to make its own, and only one of them can be dissolved.”

Dr Sin YongOn why fillers are not interchangeable
References

Comparison of polycaprolactone and calcium hydroxylapatite dermal fillers in a rat model. source
Sukmanskaya et al. Complications of hyaluronic acid and calcium hydroxylapatite fillers: a comprehensive narrative review of clinical presentation and current management strategies. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2026. source
Hong et al. Dual benefits of calcium hydroxyapatite filler: a prospective study on midface volume restoration and skin quality enhancement. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2025. source

HA filler, Radiesse and Ellanse at a glance
FeatureClassic HA fillerRadiesse (CaHA)Ellanse (PCL)
MaterialHyaluronic acid gelCalcium hydroxylapatite microspheres in a gel carrierPolycaprolactone microspheres
MechanismPhysical volume replacement; little collagen stimulationVolume plus biostimulation of the patient's own collagenBiostimulation of collagen that continues after initial volume resolves
Can it be dissolved?Yes, with hyaluronidaseNoNo
Zones usually chosenLips, tear troughs: precision soft-tissue correctionNose, chin, jawline, forehead, handsStructural zones: nose, chin, forehead, hands
What it suitsAreas where reversibility is paramountStructural supportSustained structural regeneration
How long it lastsVaries with product and zoneVaries with area and individualFormulations differ; varies with product, area and individual
What decidesThe zone being treated and the assessmentCorrect placement by an experienced doctor is essentialCorrect placement by an experienced doctor is essential

Who it suits, who should wait, who is referred on

Tends to suit

  • Structural zones such as the nose, chin, jawline, forehead or hands (Radiesse or Ellanse)
  • Soft areas needing precision correction, such as lips and tear troughs (HA)
  • Volume loss confirmed on assessment
  • A willingness to accept that biostimulators cannot be dissolved

Better to wait

  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Active infection or inflammation near the treatment area
  • A goal that is skin quality only, not volume

Referred on

  • Marked skin excess or structural descent → plastic surgery specialist for surgical assessment
  • Unclear lump or complication from earlier filler → assessment before further injection
Who should not have this treatment
  • Active infection, inflammation or open skin in the treatment area
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Known allergy to a component of the chosen product
  • Blood-thinning medicines or a bleeding tendency (bruising risk)
  • Autoimmune disease or keloid tendency (weighed before injection)
  • Unrealistic expectations or a goal not suited to filler

People seeking a reversible, trial-and-error option for structural zones, or an improvement in skin texture rather than volume, tend to be disappointed.

What happens, step by step

  1. Consultation and examination: each zone is assessed for volume loss, structure and skin quality
  2. Written plan and quote: the product choice for each zone is explained
  3. Treatment day: the chosen filler is placed in the planned zones
  4. Review and adjustment: the result is reviewed and any refinement planned

Risks, side effects and when to call

Expected effects are swelling, redness, tenderness and bruising at the injection sites, usually settling as the area recovers. Less often there are lumps or nodules, asymmetry, or infection. A rare but serious risk common to all fillers is blockage of a blood vessel, which needs urgent attention. HA filler can be dissolved if needed, but Radiesse and Ellanse cannot, which is why correct placement by an experienced doctor matters. Recovery depends on the area, product and plan, and is discussed at consultation.

Contact the clinic the same day if
  • Severe or increasing pain, or skin that turns pale, white or dusky
  • Vision changes or headache after injection
  • Spreading redness, warmth or pus
  • Firm lumps or marked asymmetry

See what to do if something feels wrong after a treatment.

Aftercare

First 24 hours

  • Avoid pressing or massaging the area unless advised
  • Use a cool compress if advised for swelling

First week

  • Avoid heavy exercise, heat and alcohol if the area feels tender
  • Report any lumps, colour change or increasing pain
  • Attend review as planned

Sun

  • Keep the area out of direct sun while it is bruised or swollen

Skincare

  • Use gentle products and avoid strong actives on injection sites until advised

When to call

  • Severe pain, pale or dusky skin or vision change
  • Spreading redness, warmth or firm lumps

Before you book

  • List all previous fillers or injectables, with dates, products and zones
  • Declare all medicines, especially blood thinners, and any allergies
  • Tell the clinic if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have an active infection
  • Avoid alcohol and anti-inflammatory medicines before the visit unless advised
  • Bring photos from before any previous filler and any treatment records

What determines the fee

The fee depends on the zone treated, which product the assessment points to (HA, Radiesse or Ellanse), the quantity needed, the number of areas, and whether injection is combined with another treatment. A written quote is given at consultation, after Dr Sin Yong has examined each zone for volume loss, structure and skin quality. The consultation also decides whether a filler is advised at all, or whether another approach suits the concern better.

How quotes work at this practice: how we quote.

Myths we hear in clinic

“All fillers can be dissolved if you do not like the result.”

Only hyaluronic acid filler can be dissolved with hyaluronidase; Radiesse and Ellanse cannot.

“Radiesse, Ellanse and HA filler are three versions of the same product.”

One adds volume, two prompt your own collagen, and they differ in material, mechanism and reversibility.

A woman in a cream robe turned toward soft light, skin showing a natural hydrated sheen
Skin quality — texture, hydration, light reflectance — is a different complaint from lost volume.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Radiesse, Ellanse and HA fillers?+

HA (hyaluronic acid) fillers are soft and reversible. Radiesse (calcium hydroxylapatite) and Ellanse (polycaprolactone) are biostimulators that provide stronger structural support and stimulate collagen, but are not reversible.

Which filler lasts longest?+

Ellanse formulations are designed to last longer than Radiesse, which in turn tends to outlast most HA fillers; how long any filler lasts varies with the product, area and individual.

When is a biostimulator filler preferred over HA?+

Biostimulators like Radiesse and Ellanse are preferred for structural areas such as the chin, jawline and nose where support and collagen stimulation matter. HA is preferred for soft areas like lips and tear troughs.

Are biostimulator fillers reversible?+

No. Unlike HA, Radiesse and Ellanse cannot be dissolved, so correct placement by an experienced doctor is essential.

How much do Radiesse, Ellanse and HA fillers cost in Singapore?+

The fee depends on the zone treated, which product assessment points to, the quantity needed and the number of areas. A written quote is given at consultation, after Dr Sin Yong has examined each zone for volume loss, structure and skin quality. No price is set before assessment, and the consultation decides whether filler is advised at all.

Are Radiesse, Ellanse and HA fillers worth it?+

They are worth considering when assessment shows lost volume or structure that the right product suits: biostimulators for zones needing support, HA where reversibility matters. They are a poorer fit for skin-quality complaints, for unrealistic goals, or for anyone unwilling to accept that Radiesse and Ellanse cannot be dissolved.

How long do Radiesse, Ellanse and HA fillers last?+

No duration can be promised. How long each lasts depends on the product, the zone, how much was placed, how active the area is and individual metabolism. Ellanse formulations are designed to last longer than Radiesse, and HA varies by product. Review timing and any top-up are set at consultation.

What are the disadvantages of Radiesse, Ellanse and HA fillers?+

All can cause swelling, bruising, lumps or, rarely, vessel blockage. HA is dissolvable but generally less structural; Radiesse and Ellanse support structure but cannot be dissolved, so placement errors are harder to correct. None improves skin quality as such, and results vary between individuals, so the choice is made zone by zone.

Question not answered here? Ask on WhatsApp, use the enquiry form, or browse 100 questions patients ask.

S
Dr Sin Yong
MBBS (NUS) · MRCS (Edinburgh) · MSc Aesthetic Medicine with Distinction (Queen Mary, London) · MSc Practical Dermatology (Cardiff)
International KOL — CLASSYS · HIRONIC · DEKA · ALMA · FOTONA · LUTRONIC
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Medically reviewed by Dr Sin Yong, MBBS (NUS), MRCS (Edinburgh) · Last updated 29 June 2026 · Editorial policy

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