Bellafill Injectables
Acne can be a frustrating condition to deal with. And as if that wasn't enough, it can leave behind unsightly acne scars. Deep, pitted acne scarring can shatter your self-confidence. Bellafill cosmetic filler treatments are a possible solution. Bellafill injections are also used to treat deep nasolabial folds and smile lines and to perform non-surgical nose, chin, and cheek augmentation. Please continue reading to learn more about Bellafill, one of the longest lasting FDA-approved dermal fillers.
What is Bellafill?
Bellafill is an FDA-approved injectable dermal filler that is used to improve lines and wrinkles and enhance facial contours around the nose, lips, mouth, and chin. It is also used to treat acne scars.
Bellafill is a collagen based filler. It contains polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) microspheres for the correction of facial wrinkles and acne scars.
This is a minimally invasive, in-office procedure that usually takes 15 to 30 minutes, perhaps slightly longer, depending on the treatment site. There is no downtime and you can return to normal activities the same day.
Bellafill acne scar and other treatments must be performed by trained professionals since they involve injections in the facial area.
How does Bellafill work?
Bellafill contains bovine collagen, PMMA microspheres, and lidocaine local anesthetic to make the treatments more comfortable.
Bellafill works by triggering the formation of collagen in the skin. The body absorbs the collagen in Bellafill and makes its own to replace it. Collagen is the essential skin protein that gives the skin its soft, smooth, youthful appearance. When Bellafill is injected in areas of excessive scarring or used for correction of nasolabial folds, it fills the creases and smoothens the skin surface by adding volume and stimulating collagen formation.
Is Bellafill for men?
Yes Bellafill dermal filler is appropriate for both men and women.
Target areas for Bellafill: Where can Bellafill be used?
Bellafill is approved for the correction of nasolabial folds and to treat moderate to severe acne scars on the cheeks. It is also used off-label to augment or plump the lips, correct under-eye bags, correct minor bumps on the nose, and contour the cheeks and chin. Other places that Bellafill is used includes deep facial lines and wrinkles such as deep smile lines. It is also used to treat sagging or wrinkled earlobes.
Can Bellafill improve atrophic facial acne scars?
Yes, Bellafill is FDA-approved to treat moderate to severe atrophic facial acne scarring on the cheeks in patients over the age of 21 years. Bellafill works by adding volume to the pitted scars, immediately filling them and lifting them to match the surrounding skin.
Am I a good candidate for Bellafill?
You are a good candidate for Bellafill if you want to use an FDA approved dermal filler for the correction of atrophic facial scars, nasolabial folds, facial volume loss, and deep wrinkles in the mid or lower face.
Preparing for Bellafill
There is no special preparation required before Bellafill. However, your dermatologist or plastic surgeon will see you for an initial consultation, at which time they will obtain a complete medical history and examine your skin. Be sure to give your doctor a complete list of your medications and tell them about any history of unusual skin reactions after injectable filler treatment in the past or any history of severe allergies. In particular, mention any health conditions like bleeding disorders or irregular scarring.
You will need to undergo a Bellafill skin test (trial of suspended polymethylmethacrylate microspheres). This is to ensure you are not allergic to any of the components of the Bellafill soft tissue fillers, such as bovine collagen or PMMA microspheres. Some doctors do the skin test 4 weeks before Bellafill injections while others offer it one day prior or on the same day.
Additionally, you may need to temporarily stop taking certain medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which can increase the risk of bruising or bleeding at the injection sites.
Procedure for Bellafill
Your doctor will start by marking the areas to be injected with the soft tissue fillers. They will then perform the Bellafill injections using sterile needles. The injections are tolerable pain wise, since the injection solution contains some lidocaine that helps to numb the pain.
The entire process takes 15 to 30 minutes, sometimes up to 60 minutes, depending on the treatment area and number of injections. You may need to come back for additional treatment 6-8 weeks later.
What to expect after Bellafill?
There can be some minor swelling and discomfort at the injection sites. This is temporary and typically improves on its own in a few days. You can apply an ice pack to help with any discomfort. You can resume all normal activities the same day.
When will I see visible changes?
Bellafill cosmetic injectable filler provides more volume and an immediate lift in the treated area as soon as it is injected. However, the final results are seen in about 3 months because it takes the body time to make more collagen. As mentioned above, you may need to come back for an additional Bellafill session in about 6-8 weeks later to get the desired results. An experienced injector can give you extremely natural looking results with Bellafill.
How long do Bellafill injections last?
Bellafill injections are considered semi-permanent because the results last for up to 5 years for facial rejuvenation and 1 year for acne scars. This is considerably longer than other dermal fillers than typically last 6-18 months.
Are there any risks or side effects?
Following a Bellafill procedure, the most common side effects are injection site redness, bruising, swelling, and itching. These side effects are temporary and usually resolve in 1-7 days.
Less common side effects include discoloration, rash, lumps, bumps, or being able to feel the product under the surface of the skin. Occasionally, there can be over-correction or under-correction with dermal fillers. Rarely, an infection can develop at the injection site. Very rarely, granulomas can form (small sites of inflammation). An allergic reaction is rare since the Bellafill instructions for use include a skin test before the treatment.
What is the recovery time?
There is no recovery time after Bellafill, which is a minimally invasive injection treatment. You can resume your normal routine immediately afterwards. The minor side effects, if any, usually resolve without any specific treatment within one week.
Is Bellafill safe for me?
Bellafill is approved by the U.S. FDA and its long term safety is proven. However, this treatment is not for people under the age of 21. It is also not recommended for anyone with an allergy to bovine collagen, other severe allergies, or irregular scarring.
Is Bellafill better than Juvederm?
All the dermal fillers available at the current time are similar in that they are gel-like substances that are placed below the skin's surface to fill wrinkles and lines and give your skin a softer, smoother, younger appearance. Bellafill is often compared to another popular filler called Juvederm.
The main difference between Juvederm and Bellafill is in the active ingredient. Bellafill contains bovine collagen which is a natural material and PMMA microspheres which are synthetic. This combination is the reason Bellafill gives results that last up to five years.
In contrast, Juvederm contains hyaluronic acid as the active ingredient. It is a natural substance that is found abundantly in human skin. The body gradually absorbs the injected hyaluronic acid in Juvederm dermal filler products, so the results only last 6-18 months on average.
Your plastic surgeon may recommend trying a hyaluronic acid filler first, as the results do not last as long and the filler can be dissolved using hyaluronidase enzyme. Once you are pleased with the results a facial filler treatment can achieve, you may progress to a longer-lasting and more permanent filler like Bellafill.
How much does Bellafill cost per syringe?
The cost of Bellafill ranges from $850 to $1,500 for one syringe.
How many syringes of Bellafill will I need?
The only way to know for sure is to see an aesthetic medical professional in consultation. On average, one Bellafill syringe covers 8-10 acne scars.
How much does Bellafill cost?
The cost of your Bellafill treatment will depend on the treatment area, the number of syringes injected, and the skill level of your doctor.
How to find a provider for Bellafill cosmetic?
The MeTime app makes it easy to find aesthetic medical professionals who offer Bellafill injections in your area. You can chat with experts, share photos, do a video call, get quotes, and much more. Download the MeTime app today and see for yourself the natural looking results Bellafill injections can give you.
