Are Bellafill results instant or do they take several months? Are they permanent or only several years?

Question

The problems with procedures is the contradiction in what different Doctors say about the results. After spending nearly $10,000.00 on useless so called "Gold Standard" lasers I am extremely skeptical now and especially reading all the contradictions on Bellafill results. Some claim this to be a permanent filler and results are instant and others say it's only a five year filler and takes months before you can see results! All you Dr.'s need to get your facts straight and quit trying to scam!

Hooman Khorasani, MD · Answer

Great question. Bellafill® is composed of 80% bovine collagen and 20% polymetylmethacrylate (PMMA) microspheres. Bellafill® is considered a semi-permanent filler and has 5-year post-FDA approval safety data published. However, you’ll need a skin test to be sure you're not allergic to the collagen component. 
As always, an in-person consultation with a board certified dermatologist with cosmetic training is the best way to assess your needs and provide medical advice.

Elham Jafari, MD · Answer

Hi and thank you for your questions and sorry to hear about the frustration. It is unfortunately true that with most treatments - cosmetic treatments included - individual results may vary and that could be a reason for the lack of consensus. This being said and as I provide various lasers and fillers in my clinic, I can tell you from experience that nothing beats the results of skillful injection of fillers at right location and for right patient. Of course it is impossible to say without seeing you and knowing more about the conditions and concerns you wanted to be addressed, but most patients see better results spending that much on fillers and Botox than lasers alone. Regarding the confusion on Bellafill longevity, the landmark study used to obtain the FDA approval had a 5-year follow up and hence the FDA-approved claim was based on results lasting for 5 years. As more and more doctors use Bellafill and can follow up their patients for longer time, we will most likely be able to have the reliable data to support the claim that the results might last much longer that 5 years. I hope it helps and good luck!

Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. Bellafill is an FDA-approved treatment that is, in fact, known as the "Five-Year Filler" for achieving semi-permanent outcomes that rejuvenate the face with beautiful, natural-looking results. It is very important to avoid too-good-to-be-true offers so we suggest that patients always work with board certified facial plastic surgeons and their teams.Best wishes,

Luis A. Cenedese, MD, FACS · Answer

A while back my friends from Brooklyn taught me to believe none of what I hear and half of what I see.A practitioner promising a patient amazing results while owning hundreds of thousands worth of LASERs is not an exception.  Results vary and are not usually the ones shown to you on websites and picture books. Using the wrong procedure on the wrong patient at the wrong time will usually result in a dissatisfied patient. Without pictures it would not be forthright to advise what could work for you.Suneva the distributor of Bellafill shows results lasting up to five years.  PMMA microspheres compose twenty percent and collagen eighty percent of Bellafill.  The microshperes do not reabsorb or decompose; the amount of collagen produced surrounding the PMMA changes with time and age.
Results vary from patient to patient.  Several injections sessions are typically required to produce the desired end result. Bellafill is only FDA approved for injection in the naso-labial folds and acne. Other applications are considered off label use.
Most patients elect to have a less permanent filler injected for the first time to see what can be done. Afterwards they often choose Bellafill to give longer lasting results. 
Please consult in person with an experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeon prior to making treatment decisions.

Gerald Pierone Jr., MD · Answer

Bellafill was approved by the FDA last year for treatment of acne scarring. It typically is done in conjunction with subcision of the acne scars with either a needle or a cannula. My experience using Bellafill for acne scarring has been a positive one. It will not make acne scars go away completely, but definitely improves them. It typically is done as a series of treatments for best results. Bellafill is actually a hybrid filler - 80% bovine (cow) collagen and 20% PMMA. The PMMA component is permanent, but the company only has mention 5 year duration because that is how long they collected data for the FDA mandated long-term study.  I hope that this information helps and good luck!

Brian Windle, MD (retired) · Answer

You have discovered a fact about the beauty industry in general that is disturbing to many of us who are honestly trying to help people.  The industry is like the Wild West and anything goes.  I have written a few blogs about this.  When it comes to Bellafill, here are the FDA study results.  You can verify them on the Google Scholar website.  Bellafill has been shown to have no volume drop off at 5 years.  We do not know if it is premanent because it has not been available for that long but I have seen patients at 10 years after their Bellafill and it is working well.  The developer of the product Dr. Lemprele has a paper out that shows the product working well at 15 years.  When Bellafill is injected you will see the results right away just like any other filler (Juvederm, Restylane etc.)  What is misunderstood is the fact that the bovine collagen that makes up 90% of Bellafill in the beginning will be resorbed by your body while, at the same time, your body will make its own collagen in response to the minute particles (PMMA) the makes up the rest of the Bellafill.  You will get some swelling after your injection but when that settles (2 to 3 weeks max) you should have the result that you had as the product was first injected.Remember, in America, you can say anything you want, and many do!  I hope that helps.Best regards.

Are Bellafill results instant or do they take several months? Are they permanent or only several years?

Answers (6)

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