How long will Bellafill last in chin area for chin augmentation?

Question

I am 21 and am interested in getting 3/4 syringes of Bellafill for my chin augmentation. I was wondering how long it will last as I have read a range of 5 years to permanent. Also will the results be instant?

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

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

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

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

bellafill lasts 3-5 years and sometimes longer, I would do small amounts over time in this area also go to someone who does this alot like we do.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

Bellafill is a stimulating agent that produces gradual results over several treatment sessions.  The results can be very long lasting and potentially permanent.  The face will still continue to age after treatment though, so there still can be changes in appearance over time.  There is some temporary immediate improvement after treatment, but normally, the fullness after treatment will slowly go down over a week or so and then it can take 1-2 months for the effects from the tissue stimulation to appear.

J.D. McCoy, NMD · Answer

One of the most elegant fillers to inject is Bellafill. It is a great option for structural areas that need definition or some projection. The result is from a long term stimulation of your own collagen, so it is your own stuff and improves with time. There is an instant result from treatment, but there will be continued improvement weeks and months after injection. When I am correcting an area like the chin I prefer to build the result over multiple treatments (typically 2-3 spaced apart)- I feel like you get more out of the product (better result) and this maintains a natural, progressive correction (limiting the risk of over correction). I love correcting the chin! Can't forget about the jaw though (the chin is really an extension of the jaw). Most patients will opt for me to correct the entire region - which does require more product. This can be spaced over time, which can assist financially and delivers the best result. Most younger patients would need 1-3 syringes to do this type of correction. Correction is the longest lasting with Bellafill (on label 5 years), but there will be correction that will last longer. You will continue to age, and some patients will offset normal aging with minimal follow up (younger patients can expect to use even less for maintenance over time). Due to continued volume loss with aging: you will use/need more and more temporary filler over time versus a longer-lasting option (Bellafill) you will use/need less and less over time. Hope this helps. Cheers, Dr. J.D. McCoy

Richard E. Moore, MD · Answer

Thank you for posting your question. Bellafill is a bio-stimulator that utilizes fine particles of PMMA to stimulate your body to produce collagen. Since the PMMA particles never go away this is a near permanent solution. The FDA clearance for Bellafill is 5 years because the data submitted to the FDA was based on 5 years. While the results are instantaneous, they will evolve over a period of 4 to 6 months as the collagen production is optimized. The carrier collagen is absorbed by your body over a period of 3 to 4 weeks and new collagen production begins to fill in behind this during this period of time. Due to the long lasting nature of Bellafill, it is critical to seek out an experienced injector that can deliver the results your are seeking.
I hope this was helpful - Dr. Moore.

Reginald Rice, MD, FACS · Answer

Bellafill will give you very long lasting benefit, however, since with Bellafill, the result is dependent upon your body's response to the product (some respond subtlely, some robustly) we are careful and conservative with how much we place in any given area and at any given time. Bellafill works very nicely for chin augmentation, however you might consider a more traditional chin implant because, as Bellafill is the "Ferrari of fillers",  you ultimately may pay more for a Bellafill chin augmentation than for surgical chin augmentation.  Also, consider that although Bellafill is very long lasting, it is not permanent. On the other hand, the advantages of Bellafill are that it is not surgical and the augmentation can be gradually built up until you are happy!