Bellafill is a FDA-approved injectable dermal filler that’s used to reverse volume loss, smooth deep smile lines, or treat indented acne scars. This biostimulatory filler contains a combination of bovine collagen and collagen-building particles. “The unique properties of Bellafill make it a very versatile treatment option,” says Dr. Vu Ho, a board-certified facial plastic surgeon in Plano, Texas.
Formerly called Artefill, Bellafill is made by Suneva Medical. It’s formulated with microspheres of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), a resin that has long been used in medical implants and is proven to be effective for acne scar treatment.
These PMMA microspheres provide a foundation for smoother skin, remaining in place after the initial bovine collagen gel has been absorbed to stimulate your own natural collagen production. This creates plumping effects shown to last five years or more.
For atrophic acne scar treatment, Bellafill injections are often paired with subcision, a procedure that breaks up tissue just beneath the scar that may be tethering the skin down. Subcision frees up space and allows the area to be occupied by the filler to lift the scar. As Dr. Ho explains, “Bellafill is very effective for treating acne scars, and patients love not having the downtime that can come with treatments such as laser resurfacing.”
Pros
Cons
The price you pay will depend largely on how many syringes you need and how much your provider charges per syringe, based on their level of experience and practice location. Learn more in our complete guide to Bellafill costs.
While this up-front cost is more expensive than HA fillers, Bellafill results can last years longer, so it may actually be more economical over time.
You can finance your treatment with CareCredit.
The Bellafill photos in our gallery have been shared by the provider who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.
Both Bellafill and Juvéderm fillers can smooth fine lines and wrinkles, contour the face, and restore lost volume.
These are the biggest differences between them.
An optional skin test can be done up to 30 days in advance to rule out a bovine allergy (0.5% of the population has it). Your injector will also ask about any medications you’re taking, if you’re prone to scarring, and if you’re pregnant.
The injections can be done relatively quickly in your doctor’s office. Here's what to expect:
It’s common to have some bruising and swelling after your appointment.
Other than swelling and bruising, there’s no downtime. You can resume most of your normal activities immediately after your treatment, but hold off on facial treatments, intense workouts, and high-heat settings like tanning beds, saunas, and hot tubs for a few days to help minimize swelling and bruising.
You’ll notice an immediate improvement in your skin texture from the collagen in the formula, and your results will continue to improve for three to six months, as the filler stimulates collagen production.
If your results after six months aren’t as dramatic as you hoped, talk with your doctor about additional injections or other filler options.
Bellafill lasts for about 5 years, making it a much longer-lasting option than fillers without PMMA microspheres. A clinical study found that 87% of patients who had the treatment for smile lines were still happy with their results after five years.
The manufacturer also reports that a similar percentage of patients who used it to smooth atrophic acne scars were satisfied with their results after one year.
Bellafill injections are considered safe in the hands of an experienced injector.
Bellafill injections are considered safe in the hands of an experienced injector. A recent review of 417 Bellafill procedures performed between 2014 to 2017 noted six cases of adverse events (for a complication rate of 1.4%).
Common side effects include swelling, bruising, tenderness, redness, or slight bleeding at the injection site. It’s possible but rare to develop an infection at the injection site.
As with any injectable filler, Bellafill can cause a vascular occlusion or compression, cutting off blood flow to the skin and/or retina and potentially leading to skin death, scarring, and/or blindness. With non-dissolvable fillers, such consequences can be dire. (It bears repeating: Unlike treatment options using hyaluronic acid–based fillers, which can be dissolved early with hyaluronidase injections, Bellafill is not reversible.)
The microspheres in Bellafill can also cause lumps, known as granulomas, by forming scar tissue under the skin. “This is an unusual complication,” notes Dr. Windle, but when granulomas do form, they sometimes respond well to steroid injections.
The newest generation of Bellafill includes PMMA microspheres that are more uniform in shape and size than previous iterations, and have been “purported to decrease the incidence of granuloma formation,” according to a 2021 study.
It’s also not recommended for people who:
Anyone planning to get Bellafill should strongly consider having an allergy test about a month in advance, to rule out an allergy to bovine collagen. “However, it is reasonable to skip this test because the risk of having an allergic reaction is low,” Dr. Ho explains.
Related: Hyaluronic Acid vs. Biostimulatory Fillers: What to Know Before You Get Injected
Doctors on RealSelf agree that previously injected PMMA is not harmful to an unborn baby, though it’s wise to avoid any type of filler injections during pregnancy or breastfeeding. There’s little research on the effects of Bellafill or other fillers during pregnancy.
If your primary concern is acne scars, explore all the top treatment options.
RealSelf Tip: Steer clear of Silikon-1000, a permanent silicone filler that’s FDA-approved for retinal surgery that’s sometimes used off-label in the face. It’s nearly impossible to remove.
Updated September 22, 2023