Do Bellafill fillers cause granulomas/lumps and migrate over time?

Bellafill, like any filler, can sometimes result in granulomas. Depending on whose study you read, the risk of granulomas can be as high as 1 in 100 patients to as low as 1 in 5,000 patients. I have been injecting Bellafill (previously called Artefill) since early 2007 and had been injecting Artecoll as early as 1999 when I practiced in Canada before coming to the States. I have seen only two true granulomas. Both resolved with treatment.As for migration, that is something I have never seen happen. Given how the PMMA microspheres of Bellafill are locked into place by collagen encapsulation, migration should be nearly unheard of.All the best,--David C. Pearson, M.D.Pearson Facial Plastic Surgery®

Our treatments use combination therapy to improve complications associated with Bellafill, a filler with permanent attributes that can cause granulomas, uneven contour, and soft tissue reaction. Our office focuses on granuloma reversal in cases where an incision may leave permanent scars. The reversal is performed with Kenalog IIT combination therapy, fibrous release, and HIDEF fractional RF to help break up the nodularity. Schedule a consultation for surgical removal if the Bellafill is located in the eyelids, lips, and lower face. Midface Bellafill is difficult to surgically remove.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

As with all fillers there is a risk of granulomas/lumps. In order to avoid this I suggest consulting and seeking treatment with an expert injector who is a board certified Dermatologist or facial plastic surgeon. It is always wise to "test" the desired areas with a HA based filler that is reversible prior to injecting the area with Bellafill which is irreversible and last approximately 5 years. Best, Dr. Emer. 

Bellafill is the most studied filler available in the US. They have a 5 year safety study and working on a 10 year study. The results from the study show a granuloma rate of 1.7% but with treatment, that reduces to

Hello and thanks for
posting.
Bellafill contains PMMA
microspheres and bovine collagen.  PMMA
is the permanent component of Bellafill. 
Bellafill is currently approved for naso-labial folds and acne scars,
The PMMA does not
migrate, but the main safety issue with Bellafill in the risk of late granuloma
formation. Granulomas are inflammatory nodules that may develop in the areas of
previous injection of PMMA.  The cause is
likely related to an overly robust immune response to the PMMA – immune intolerance.  When Bellafill was approved by the FDA, they
mandated a 5 year post-marketing safety study. 
This study showed that there was a 1.7% risk of granuloma formation over
5 years (17 of 1000 patients developed granulomas in this study). In my
experience, granulomas are a manageable problem – a series of injections of
triamcinolone and 5FU reliably shrinks the nodules down. There are also data
from Europe and China suggesting that deep injection of PMMA onto bone further
lessens the risk of granuloma because of the paucity of immunologic cells in
this anatomic location.
I hope that this
information helps and best of luck to you! 

Hi. Thanks for your question. Bellafill is a wonderful long lasting filler which gives very nice, natural looking results.  While rare, it is possible to develop a granuloma/lump from the injection.  Should this develop, there are ways to treat it.  If not treated, it does not move anywhere.  Good luck.