Belotero Filler

Overview

What is Belotero?

Belotero is an FDA approved dermal filler that use hyaluronic acid (HA) as their active ingredient. HA is known for its ability to reduce the appearance of lines and folds in facial skin, and to provide volume and contour enhancement to the lips.

Hyaluronic acid is found naturally throughout the human body, where it is used to provide support and hydration to important structures, such as joints and the skin. Because it is natural to the body, Belotero injections are readily accepted and integrated into the skin structure, and it stays in place for a long time. Other HA products include Restylane and Juvederm.

The Belotero product line…

The Belotero product line is designed to give optimal effects tailored to each individual’s treatment goals.  The face has various distinct areas with differing skin thickness and aging characteristics, and of course, each person’s skin is a little different. The Belotero line gives you and your healthcare provider the flexibility to tailor your treatment to your specific needs and concerns:

• Belotero Soft: for subtle smoothing of fine lines and wrinkles, such as lines around the mouth, forehead lines, and “crow’s feet”
• Belotero Lips Shape, and Belotero Lips Contour: two products specifically designed for lip contouring and volume enhancement
• Belotero Balance: for moderate to deep lines and wrinkles, such as lines around the mouth, frown lines, nasolabial lines (the lines from the nose to the corners of the mouth), and marionette lines (lines at the corner of the mouth)
• Belotero Intense: specifically designed for deeper lines and folds, such as moderate to severe nasolabial lines, and marionette lines
• Belotero Volume: for lifting and shaping areas that have suffered age-related volume loss, such as the cheeks, temples, and chin.

How does it work?

The list of skin rejuvenation effects of HA products such as Belotero is impressive. The volume of the injection itself provides much needed lift and support, but it also draws in natural body fluids (1,000 times it’s weight in water). This provides additional lift, but also makes Belotero a superb moisturizer, and further enhances its youthful effects. This effect is long lasting, because it helps the skin maintain youthful hydration by preventing water loss through the skin.

Not only does it fill in lines and wrinkles, but it improves skin elasticity, which provides further youthful rejuvenation. The main skin rejuvenation effect of Belotero comes from HA’s ability to stimulate the body’s own natural collagen production, thereby establishing a strong support matrix to promote skin suppleness and firmness.

Is Belotero right for you?

Belotero is meant for people age 18 and up who have a healthy immune system. The safety of Belotero has not been established for women who are pregnant, lactating, or breastfeeding.

Anyone with a history of severe or multiple allergies, especially to “gram-positive” bacterial proteins, should also avoid Belotero. Gram-positive bacteria are types of germs that have a thicker cell wall, and contain a special kind of substance (known as peptidoglycan) that can, though rare, cause allergic responses in some people. These kinds of bacteria can cause certain infections, such as pneumonia and skin infections.

People who are prone to keloid formation or hypertrophic scarring should not receive Belotero treatments.

Your treating doctor will take a full medical history to ensure that Belotero treatments are right for you.

Treatment details

The procedure begins with your doctor taking your medical history, including your allergies and any medications that you take. The doctor will also discuss with you the potential adverse effects of the procedure, and what to expect from treatment.

Next, the treatment area is sterilized, and local anesthetic may be used to ensure a more comfortable experience.

Most Belotero products already contain the local anesthetic numbing agent lidocaine. The injections are done with a fine-gauge needle.

The entire procedure usually takes anywhere from 15 -30 minutes, depending on what you’re having done.

After the injection has been delivered, you are free to leave the office immediately.

Some people may require a touch-up treatment after the initial treatment to optimize their desired look.

How long will your results last?

Belotero has long-lasting results that usually depend on individual factors, such as:

• The type and area of treatment
• Type of Belotero product used:
  • Belotero Basic/Balance: Lasts up to 6 months for lips and moderate lines
  • Belotero Soft: Last up to 12 months for lips and fine lines
  • Belotero Intense: Lasts up to 12 months for lips and deep lines
  • Belotoro Volume: Lasts up to 18 months for temples and cheeks
• The severity of the age-related changes being treated
• Your age and lifestyle
• Your body’s specific makeup and metabolism
• Your lifestyle
• Your skin type

Recovery time

Belotero requires minimal recovery time. Most people can return to their usual activities almost immediately after their appointment. Some swelling and bruising are common after injections and can take up to two weeks to resolve.

If after 2 weeks you are not satisfied with your Belotero results, you can ask your provider to have it dissolved with hyaluronidase. Some precautions are advised after treatment:

• Avoid applying makeup for 12 hours after a treatment
• Avoid alcohol for 24 hours
• Avoid taking aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications
• Avoid putting pressure on treated areas
• Avoid saunas, prolonged sun or UV exposure, and extreme cold for two weeks.

What does Belotero cost?

The average cost of Belotero is around $500-$600 per treatment session. The overall cost of the procedure will depend on a number of factors:

• The number of syringes used
• The duration of the treatment session
• Your geographic area
• The skill level and fee schedule of the treating physician
• The number of treatment sessions required
• Type of Belotero product used

Some people are able to achieve their desired results with one treatment, while others may require touch-up treatments. If you wish to spread out the costs of treatment, ask your doctor about financing and repayment options.

Safety information

The most common side effects of a Belotero treatment include:

• redness
• swelling
• itching
• bruising
• pain or tenderness at the injection site

These side effects, if they occur, usually subside within 1 to 2 weeks. Skin discoloration and lump formation may also occur. Hyaluronic acid can be reversed with hyaluronidase if necessary, to counteract side effects.

Your treating physician will discuss the full range of possible side effects with you prior to treatment.

Tips for choosing your provider

Skill and experience play an important role in getting the best results. It’s recommended that you do some research prior to booking an appointment, to find the right provider. The following are tips to help you choose an experienced provider:

• Choose a board-certified plastic or facial plastic surgeon or dermatologist.
• View before and after photos
• Read online reviews about the provider