Have you noticed fine lines and wrinkles at different parts of your facial skin recently? You may have already started using the most admired and highly expensive anti-aging serum or night cream. If you are not that scared of cosmetic procedures, then the chances are high that you are also exploring available options and planning for dermal filler treatment. While there is no shortage of injectable fillers to address sunken cheeks, deep wrinkles, or visible fine lines, knowing which one can work best before undergoing the procedure is essential. Belotero is one of the best cosmetic dermal fillers available for this purpose. Please keep reading to know everything about it.
What Is Belotero?
Belotero, an innovative dermal filler range from Merz Aesthetics, a global leader in medical aesthetics, comprises various potent injectables like Belotero Balance, Belotero Hydro, Belotero Soft, Belotero Intense, and Belotero Volume for comprehensive skin rejuvenation. Among them, Belotero Balance or Belotero Basic stands out as the brand’s oldest and most acclaimed product, dedicated to smoothing wrinkles and fine lines.
Referred to as the ‘starter filler,’ Belotero imparts an elegant finishing touch to your appearance with a swift and straightforward treatment. This prescription injection features a clear, colorless, hyaluronic acid-based gel, delivering immediate and noticeable results. It can address anything from intense nasolabial folds to minor marionette lines, effectively filling and smoothening moderate-to-severe etched-in lines and wrinkles in specific facial areas. It is one of the lightest dermal fillers, ensuring a natural look and feel.
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Composition Of Boletero
Belotero is a sterile, bioresorbable, non-pyrogenic gel mainly composed of hyaluronic acid (HA). This acid is a sugar compound that exists naturally in our skin. However, the hyaluronic acid used in Belotero is specially formulated in a proprietary process (Cohesive Polydensified Matrix or CPM) after extraction from streptococcal cultures. First, it is purified and cross-linked with a binding agent 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDDE) in two consecutive reactions. Finally, it is reconstituted in a physiologic buffer (pH 7 and 22.5 mg/mL) to create a soft, homogenous, cohesive gel (1).
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How Does It Work?
Belotero is designed to work within the skin by integrating entirely and evenly with the facial skin tissue. The soft, smooth, and flexible gel fills small gaps beneath the skin’s surface instantly, enhancing its overall appearance while maintaining a natural look, feel, and movement. The hyaluronic acid in Belotero binds with the skin’s water and absorbs it to deliver essential nutrients to the skin and plump it up. Once injected into the skin, it acts as a cushioning agent, expands to fill lines and wrinkles, and folds subtly. Hyaluronic acid also makes the skin smooth and supple while imparting a fresh glow by bringing extra water to its surface. Over time, it blends into the skin’s natural structure and gets absorbed.
Though other dermal fillers need to be administered at different depths in the skin, Belotero is injected very high up (mid-to-deep dermis) due to its thinner consistency. Instead of rebuilding facial volume and structure, it offers optimal facial rejuvenation sans bumps, lumps, or a bluish cast (2).
Is Belotero safe?
Belotero was approved by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in 2011 as a filler treatment for smile lines or nasolabial folds. It is also clinically proven to be safe and effective.
Areas Of Treatment
Belotero is a versatile product that can work even on the most delicate parts of facial skin. However, it mainly targets the following areas:
1. Nasolabial Folds
Pronounced lines that run vertically from the sides of your nose to the corners of your mouth.
2. Vertical Lip Lines
Thin, vertical lines appear above, below, and around your lips to create an aged appearance.
3. Corner Lines of Mouth
Deep lines at the corners of the mouth turn lips downwards and give a sad or angry look.
4. Chin Wrinkles
The horizontal line across the chin forms an upside-down smiley face to add years to your appearance.
Ideal Candidates
A good candidate for Belotero treatment should be 21 years or older with decent general health, smooth fine lines or folds, and minor skin depressions rather than deep-set wrinkles. She must not be pregnant, lactating, or prone to issues like keloids, sore throat, or Osler Rendu endocarditis. She should also not have active skin inflammation or infections, severe allergies, bleeding disorder, or a history of allergic reactions to HA, lidocaine, and Gram-positive bacterial proteins. Those on immunosuppressive therapy, blood thinners, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should also not opt for Belotero (3).
The Procedure
- You are administered a local anesthetic (lidocaine) and a topical numbing agent to minimize any pain and discomfort.
- Your physician maps out the target area(s) on your skin with the help of a marker.
- Then, he thoroughly cleanses the area(s) using an antiseptic solution.
- Next, a small amount of the hyaluronic acid gel is injected into the cleansed area(s) using a tiny, fine-gauge needle syringe.
- Finally, he massages the area(s) gently to help the filler spread uniformly for a more natural look. (4)
Time Required
The Belotero treatment is a simple and quick procedure that takes between 10 and 30 minutes, depending on your individual correction needs and desires. You may need a ‘touch-up’ injection for optimal and lasting results after two weeks.
Belotero Before and After
Belotero Vs Juvederm
Belotero and Juvederm are hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers for treating wrinkles and fine lines. Although administering Belotero is similar to Juvederm, the latter is more effective in treating deep wrinkles and folds and is usually injected deeper into the skin.
The cost of treatment is almost similar, and both provide immediate results with no downtime. The results of Belotero can last 6 and 12 months, and Juvederm can give you a smooth and wrinkle-free appearance for up to 1 and 2 years.
Post-Procedural Care
If you develop injection site reactions like redness, rashes, small bumps, swelling, bruising, itching, inflammation, etc., do not worry; these are common and usually go away within a week or two. However, you can use a cold compress for fast and effective relief.
Recovery And Downtime
Belotero comes with little to no downtime. You can return to your regular, daily routine right after leaving your surgeon’s clinic. But make sure that you avoid strenuous activities, excessive heat or cold exposure, laser treatments, chemical peels, alcoholic beverages, etc., for at least 24 hours following the treatment.
Risks And Complications
Some common side effects of Belotero include swelling, redness, bruising, tenderness, discoloration, skin hardening, lumps and bumps, nodules, erythema, dent in the skin, numbness, dry lips, etc. Other rare but severe symptoms are a headache, permanent scarring, cold sore, lip numbness, lip dryness, skin necrosis, blanching of the skin, and unusual pain.
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Lasting Time
Belotero shows almost immediate results, lasting around six months or more, depending on the amount of product administered.
Costs Involved
The average cost of each Belotero injection is nearly $700.
Removal of Dermal Fillers
If a patient experiences Infection, prolonged swelling, lumpy texture, or unsatisfactory results after undergoing hyaluronic acid-based treatment, she may undergo a removal procedure. Belotero can be removed with the help of hyaluronidase – an enzyme used to dissolve hyaluronic acid particles.
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Summary –
Belotero is a hyaluronic acid gel filler that helps in smoothing out etched-in lines and wrinkles on the face. Belotero is an FDA-approved dermal filler used for treating smile lines or nasolabial folds. Common side effects include swelling, redness, bruising, tenderness, and discoloration and its results can last around 6- 12 months.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Belotero intense?
Belotero Intense is an injectable implant used to treat deep wrinkles and folds. It is also used in the treatment of facial atrophic scars.
Is Belotero reversible?
Yes, hyaluronidase – an enzyme that dissolves hyaluronic acid particles is used to reverse Belotero if a patient experiences Infection, prolonged swelling, lumpy texture, or unsatisfactory results.
How long does Belotero take to settle?
Although Belotero has zero downtime, settling down and getting the desired results may take 2-3 weeks.
How much is a syringe of Belotero?
The cost varies between USD 650-700, including injectables, numbing agents, and other expenses.
Is Belotero FDA approved?
Belotero is an FDA-approved hyaluronic acid-based dermal filler for treating facial wrinkles and folds.
What dermal fillers are FDA-approved?
Juvederm Restylane are two approved dermal fillers in addition to Belotero.
References:
- “Belotero Balance: Patient Safety,” Belotero.com
- “How It Works,” Belotero.com
- “Belotero Balance Dermal Filler Patient Information Guide,” Belotero.com
- “Is Belotero Right for Me?”, Healthline.com
