Can Bellafill be later dissolved?

Filler migration and granuloma formation can cause longterm problems with Bellafill and Artefill fillers. This is similar in patients who have Artecoll and PMMA fillers. Longterm filler complications include migration, edema, chronic swelling, and nodularity. If patients have filler migration or nodules, we recommend a combination approach of filler reversal with enzymes, corticosteroids, and scar tissue modulators. Our HIDEF approach can break down filler scarring and granulomas so that they are less apparent. If the filler material itself does not dissolve, it either means the filler is likely not HA material or is unresponsive to conservative therapy. This technique may be followed by surgical removal of the filler if there is a suitable target for removal and the chance of scarring is low.

Surgical removal of Bellafill is possible and we have a wide ranging experience with the treatment. Some areas of the face can be treated because the Bellafill removal scars are barely visible. We have found that Bellafill nodules, if palpated, can be removed from the tissue. Undereye Bellafill, nasolabial fold Bellafill, and lip filler can be treated successfully. Diffuse Bellafill is difficult to treat.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a cosmetic dermatologist. 5/FU steroids and radiofrequency treatments can give improvement. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

There is no way to dissolve Bellafill. You can decrease the collagen response to the PMMA particles by using steroids and 5FU injections and sometimes collagenase. If you are unsure about using Bellafill, try a HA filler which can be dissolved.

No.  Bellafill is a permanent filler that lasts over 5 years.  When nodules or granulomas appear, steroid or saline injection into the area can help resolve these issues. These are infrequent problems.  It is contraindicated to inject Bellafill into the lips.  No permanent fillers should be used in the lips.  However, steroid injection can be tried to help reduce the volume.

Hello and thanks for posting.

Bellafill is the only FDA approved permanent filler in the United States. It is actually a hybrid combination of 80% bovine (cow) collagen and 20% PMMA. The PMMA is the permanent component of the filler.

Bellafill should not be injected into the lips for two main reasons. The first is that when the FDA approved it, lip injection was excluded. The other reason is that because the muscular action of the lips can lead to clumping and nodule formation of Bellafill. 

Although the PMMA in Bellafill is permanent, there is a matrix of inflammatory cells and collagen that exists in conjunction with the PMMA microspheres. Corticosteroid injections (triamcinolone) will reduce the inflammatory matrix and will reduce the size of Bellafill nodules or granuloma.  So the PMMA cannot be dissolved, but the overall volume of the implant may be reduced with a series of corticosteroid injections.

I hope that this information helps and best of luck to you! 

Bellafill should not ever be placed into the lip tissue according to the safety guidlelines recommended by the FDA and the Suneva company who manufactures the product.  
Bellafill cannot be dissolved regardless of where it is placed due to the nature of the product, however, if you have a highly skilled, trained injector there should be no need for dissolution.