Will Bellafill ever go away on its own? (Photos)

Question

I had injections of Bellafill under my eyes eight months ago. I had major swelling that needed two rounds of prednisone. No swelling sinse but very unhappy with the end result. The lumps under my eyes are slightly visible creating more of a bag on my right side. I am afraid to get anything else injected, for example Kenalog , it seems everything has side effects. I am open to suggestions ,also wondering if this will ever just go away on its own.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

We are specialists in the removal of Artefill from the face and body. Inflammatory mediators can wreak havoc on permanent fillers, causing swelling and pain. Early removal is key. I would use SwellX to reduce swelling, if possible. 
  Best, Dr. KaramanoukianLos Angeles

Philip Solomon, MD, FRCS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. Based on your pictures you appear to be a candidate for lower eyelid surgery also known as Blepharoplasty. You have lower eye bags that can be surgically removed for permanent correction to the area. In some patients injecting bellafill below the eyebag can help blend the area but not in all cases. Yes all procedures have risks that should be considered. Kenalog may help reduce any scar tissue that may have formed around the product but typically PMMA (20% of the bellafill product) is generally considered permanent and in some cases can be surgically removed. Based on your experience with Bellafill I would not recommend subsequent injections and if you are not interested in surgery, there are other temporary fillers that are very good.

Edgardo Zavala, MD · Answer

Your picture shows lower eyelid eyebags that usually are treated with lower eyelid surgery called blepharoplasty. The use of Bellafil if done properly with a cannula and deep below the orbicularis muscles can hide the bags to a certain degree. My advise would be to consult an experienced surgeon to consider the blepharoplasty that can correct your concerns in a definitive and permanent way. I do not think the Bellafil will disappear but I think that your problem is not that.

Gerald Pierone Jr., MD · Answer

Hello and thanks for posting.
If you have palpable and visible lumps under your eyes from Bellafill injections after 8 months it seems unlikely that they will go away on their own. The fact that you had significant post-injection swelling that required prednisone suggests that your immune system had an overly robust reaction to the Bellafill and may account for the lumps. If so, injections of Kenalog into the nodules is the accepted treatment to reduce the size and appearance of these nodules. In some refractory cases, the combination of Kenalog and 5FU may be used to reduce the size of nodules. Although the PMMA does not go away, these agents reduce the inflammatory matrix of white blood cells and collagen that surround the PMMA microspheres.
  
Since you still have volume loss in the under eye region you would benefit from injection of an HA filler like Restylane. Alternatively, you could have lower blepharoplasty surgery. 
  
Good luck!

Steven F. Weiner, MD · Answer

Bellafill is not my first choice for fillers around the eyes. I don't think that the Bellafill caused much difference but I can see the issue you are wanting to correct. The mid cheek volume wasn't addressed with the Bellafill. If concerned about the Bellafill, I would do an HA product in the medial cheek area and tear trough. Consider a blepharoplasty too, but you do need volume in this area. All procedures have risks. I use cannulas to minimize the risks in this area. Seek out a couple opinions before proceeding forward.

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Will Bellafill ever go away on its own? (Photos)

Answers (6)

Answer: Treatment of Bellafill Nodules

Answer: Treatment of Bellafill Nodules

Answer: Not happy with results of Bellafill around eyes, what should I do now?

Answer: Not happy with results of Bellafill around eyes, what should I do now?

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Everything you need to know about Bellafill

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.