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 chances are high that you are also exploring available options and planning for dermal filler treatment. While there is no dearth of injectable fillers to address issues like sunken cheeks, deep wrinkles, or visible fine lines, it is important to know which one can work the best for you before undergoing the procedure. Belotero is known to be one of the best cosmetic dermal fillers available in the market for this purpose. Keep reading to know everything about it.
What Is Belotero?
Belotero is an innovative dermal filler range by a global leader in medical aesthetics named Merz Aesthetic. The product line includes potent injectables of various consistencies like Belotero Balance, Belotero Hydro, Belotero Soft, Belotero Intense, and Belotero Volume for a complete rejuvenation of the skin. However, Belotero Balance or Belotero Basic is the oldest as well as the most appreciated product by the brand that helps take your wrinkles and fine lines all the way to smooth.
Known as the ‘starter filler’, Belotero creates an elegant finishing touch to your appearance through a quick and easy treatment. This prescription injection is actually a clear and colorless, hyaluronic acid-based gel that provides immediate, noticeable results. From intense nasolabial folds to minor marionette lines, it can fill in and smooth out all moderate-to-severe etched in-lines and wrinkles on specific areas of the face. Being one of the lightest dermal fillers available, it looks and feels absolutely natural too.
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Composition Of Boletero
Belotero is basically a sterile, bioresorbable, and non-pyrogenic gel that is mostly composed of hyaluronic acid (HA). This acid is a sugar compound and it 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. 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, and cohesive gel (1).
How Does It Work?
Belotero is designed to work within the skin by integrating completely and evenly with the facial skin tissue. The soft, smooth, and flexible gel fills small gaps beneath the surface of the skin instantly and enhances its overall appearance while maintaining a natural look, feel, and movement. The hyaluronic acid in Belotero binds with skin’s own water and absorbs it in order to deliver essential nutrients to the skin and plump it up. Once injected into the skin, it acts as a cushioning agent and expands to fill in lines, wrinkles, and folds subtly. Hyaluronic acid also makes the skin smooth and supple while imparting a fresh glow to it by bringing extra water to its surface. Over time, it blends into the natural structure of the skin and gets absorbed by it.
Though other dermal fillers need to be administered at different depths in the skin, Belotero is injected very high up (mid-to-deep dermis) in it 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 got its approval from 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.
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Areas Of Treatment
Belotero is a versatile product that can work even on the most delicate parts of the facial skin. It mostly 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 that 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 that turn lips downwards and give a sad or angry look.
4. Chin Wrinkles
The horizontal line across the chin, which forms an upside down smiley face to add years to your appearance.
Ideal Candidates
A good candidate for Belotero treatment should be of 21 years or older with decent general health and having 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 who are on immunosuppressive therapy, blood thinners, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should also not opt for Belotero (3).
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The Procedure
- You are administered a local anesthetic (lidocaine) as well as 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 cleanses the area(s) thoroughly by 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 out uniformly for a more natural look. (4)
Time Required
The Belotero treatment is a simple and quick procedure that needs anywhere between 10 minutes and 30 minutes depending on your individual correction needs and desires. You may need a ‘touch-up’ injection after 2 weeks for optimal and lasting results.
Belotero Before and After
Post-Procedural Care
If you develop injection site reactions like redness, rashes, small bumps, swelling, bruising, itching, inflammation, etc., do not worry as these are common and usually go away within a week or two. However, you can try using a cold compress for fast and effective relief.
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Recovery And Downtime
Belotero comes with little to no downtime. You can return to your normal, daily routine right after leaving your physician’s office. But make sure that you avoid strenuous activities, exposure to excessive heat or cold, 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 serious symptoms are a headache, permanent scarring, cold sore, lip numbness, lip dryness, skin necrosis, blanching of the skin, and unusual pain.
Lasting Time
Belotero shows almost immediate results, which can last around 6 months or more depending on the amount of product administered.
Costs Involved
The average cost of each Belotero injection is nearly $700.
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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
