FAQs About Belotero Dermal Fillers

Understanding dermal fillers and how they benefit you is important when it comes to the treatment of your skin. As we age, our skin begins to lose important components like elastin, collagen and hyaluronic acid. Which can be the cause for developing hard lines and wrinkles around the face.

Hyaluronic acid, also known as hyaluronan, is naturally produced by your body as a clear substance. Most of it is found – in high amounts – in your connective tissue, eyes, and skin. Hyaluronic acid is used by your body to retain water to keep your tissues well lubricated and moist. It can be taken as a supplement, it’s in topical serums, eye drops and injections like dermal fillers. 

What Is Belotero?

Belotero is a hyaluronic acid, or HA filler that is injected into the skin and integrates into the skin tissues. Designed to help rebuild facial volume and structure. Belotero was made to specifically treat moderate-to-severe etched-in lines and wrinkles. Mostly for vertical lip lines around the lips. 

Belotero has an entire product line designed to give the best results, tailored to every person’s skin goals. Everyone’s face varies in distinct areas. Also, everyone’s skin type differs especially in thickness and aging. And of course, in general, every person’s skin has different qualities. This product line allows for versatility and flexibility in your treatment. Depending on your specific needs, it gives your healthcare provider options to help you meet those needs. 

The Belotero Product Line Is:

• Belotero Soft: for subtle smoothing of fine lines and wrinkles, such as lines around the mouth, forehead lines, and “crow’s feet”
  • Belotero Soft: Last up to 12 months for lips and fine lines
• 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) 
  • a prescription injection that is approved to temporarily smooth out and fill in moderate to – severe nasolabial folds.
  • for subtle to moderate lines and lip enhancement, can last up to 6 months
• Belotero Intense: specifically designed for deeper lines and folds, such as moderate to severe nasolabial lines, and marionette lines
  • Lasts up to 12 months for lips and deep lines
• Belotero Volume: for lifting and shaping areas that have suffered age-related volume loss, such as the cheeks, temples, and chin.
  • Lasts up to 18 months for temples and cheeks

The one of a kind characteristics of Belotero and it’s long-lasting results compared to other HA-based fillers, depend on individual factors, such as:

• Type and Area of Treatment
• Belotero product line used

• The severity of the types of changes being treated
• Age
• Lifestyle
• Genetics
• Metabolism
• Skin type

The results usually last 9-18 months.

Am I a good candidate?

Belotero is considered safe for the majority of people. There are a few at risk of Belotero if they suffer from severe or multiple allergies, especially gram-positive bacterial protein (a specific substance – peptidoglycan – found in types of germs that are considered gram-positive bacteria that can cause allergic responses, although it’s rare, can trigger kinds of bacteria that can), and have a history of anaphylaxis.

Belotero is targeted for ages 18 and up in healthy condition, with a healthy immune system. However, Belotero has not been established as safe for pregnant women, or women who are breastfeeding or lactating.

Talk to your doctor about your full medical history to make sure Belotero treatments are the right solution for you and your needs without further jeopardizing your health.

What are the side effects? 

As with most injectable fillers, side effects that are always the most common are redness, tenderness, swelling, itching, pain, and bruising. If you happen to experience any one of these side effects, don’t worry, they normally subside within 1 to 2 weeks. If skin discoloration or lumps start to form under the skin, hyaluronic acid can be counteracted with hyaluronidase to help with any additional side effects. Although… Belotero is one of the only known HA-fillers on the  market without risk of lumps or bumps as a side effect. 

It depends on your skin and skin condition. Your healthcare provider will discuss with you, any possible side effects with your specialized treatment. 

At the injection site, common side effect may include:

• bruising
• mild irritation
• redness
• swelling
• itching
• tenderness
• discoloration
• nodules

Additional side effects that are considered rare, but have been observed in clinical studies could be: 

• headache
• lip numbness
• lip dryness
• swelling of the side of the nose
• moderate cold sores

Both kinds of side effects tend to resolve on their own within a few days of treatment. If any side effects of Belotero last longer than seven days, call your doctor.

What is the difference between Belotero and other dermal fillers?

Belotero is made up of a naturally occurring substance already produced in our skin. Which is designed as an injectable filler to integrate into facial skin tissue. The manufacturing process for Belotero is unique in that it is a soft and cohesive gel that instantly fills the skin to help smooth out moderate to severe deep lines and wrinkles. 

Belotero, as a product, can treat more mild smile lines around the mouth but is more ideal to handle delicate areas with severe etched-in smile lines and vertical lip lines. Which are the thin lines that appear above and around the lips.

How is the treatment performed?

Belotero is injected into the skin. It’s a simple and quick treatment performed by a licensed healthcare professional using a fine-gauge needle. You can choose to sit or recline during treatment and the aftercare is very minimal.

How much is needed?

Just as people’s skin type varies face to face or skin to skin, the amount of Belotero dermal fillers will also vary. The solution is very individual and depends on the amount that needs to be corrected in the skin as well as the desired end result. Talk to your healthcare provider to better estimate what you may or may not need for your personal concerns

How early can I expect results?

Results become visible immediately upon treatment. You’ll start to see the smoothness around and above your lips in place of the deep lines and wrinkles.

How long does it last?

Results vary, depending on skin type, correctional issues, and desired results. Some results may last for 6 months or more. The factors that affect how long results will last is the area it’s injected into and the amount of product that is needed in any given area. In areas that experience a lot of use, whether it’s due to talking, eating, smiling, etc., the products results may last shorter than other areas. Due to constant use. 

Is It safe?

Injectables sound .. questionable. However, Belotero is entirely safe, FDA approved, and clinically proven to be effective. Hyaluronic acid and products produced with the substance for wrinkle correction have been available for years and used within thousands of treatments. 

Is It painful?

When it comes to injectable procedures, there is always a level of discomfort. The discomfort will vary based on each person’s tolerance. Talk to your doctor about effective ways to manage pain during treatment.

What is the recovery time, if any?

There is very little to zero downtime associated with Belotero treatments. Most patients return to their normal or daily activities right after their visit. However, every patient is unique and there are a multitude of different experiences. Discuss your plans with your provider during your consultation to allow for any plans post procedure.

Some swelling or bruising on the injection site may occur but is common. Those can take up to two weeks to resolve, and if after two weeks you’re not satisfied with your results, your provider can dissolve your Belotero treatment with hyaluronidase. 

The aftercare is minimal but there are some precautions advised after treatment:

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

What makes Belotero different from other hyaluronic acid fillers is that Belotero can add volume without the risk of lumps and bumps under the skin, post treatment. It has a soft consistency that is known to integrate into the skin smoother than other hyaluronic acid fillers. It also seems to avoid causing the “under-the-skin blue tinting” that occurs with other fillers when placed in a wrinkle or line, especially around the eyes.

Regardless of the dermal filler that you opt to use, it would be best if you always were wary of the precautions before availing a treatment. While the effects are promising, any lack of diligence may lead to unwanted results.

Call Dr. Balshi at Balshi Dermatology in Delray Beach, FL About Belotero Dermal Fillers

For over ten years, Balshi Dermatology has provided the most exceptional state-of-the-art skincare and cosmetic services to patients of all ages in South Florida. Dr. Thomas Balshi is board certified in both internal medicine and dermatology. His specialties include the aesthetic enhancement of pigmented skin conditions, non-invasive skin rejuvenation, and cosmetic dermatology.

To schedule a preliminary consultation about Belotero dermal fillers with a board-certified dermatologist in Delray Beach, contact Balshi Dermatology at (561) 272-6000 or send us a message on our Contact Page to set up your appointment.