Of the many dermal fillers appearing on the market recently, Bellafill® stands out because of its unique, safe, and long-lasting ingredients. Bellafill is the only filler that helps produce new collagen growth long-term, meaning your skin can remain youthful, plump, and radiant for up to five years before returning for further treatment. This FDA-approved treatment is one of the most sought-after solutions for patients with acne scars, deep wrinkles, and significant facial volume loss.

North Atlanta Dermatology is one of a few practices in Atlanta with training and expertise in the use of this filler.

Bellafill’s Unique Composition

Bellafill differs from other fillers thanks to its formulation. The active ingredients are collagen gels and biocompatible polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) microspheres. The collagen softens facial hollows quickly by plumping the skin and reabsorbing it into the body. At the same time, the microspheres stimulate the skin to boost the body’s collagen production for semi-permanent results.

Long Lasting Benefits

The most distinctive benefit of Bellafill versus other dermal fillers is its long-lasting formulation – up to five years in fact. If you opt for hyaluronic acid fillers, you should expect to return for touch-ups every 6-12 months. This can cause what Bellafill calls “filler fatigue.” That said, there are good reasons to choose hyaluronic acid fillers, too, and we will detail them in a future comparison blog.

There’s also a second reference for the term “filler fatigue” – the weakening or sagging of facial tissues after repeated facial injections. After receiving years of filler or more significant amounts, there’s a risk that the skin can stretch to accommodate the new tissue and cause a more aged appearance.

Bellafill effectively addresses this problem, showing some immediate results and improving over time. To that end, it’s not only cosmetic but also a treatment for collagen loss, as it promotes fibroblasts and the rebuilding of the patient’s own collagen. With this, patients can retain a more subtle improvement to their appearance without tweaking the face and skin yearly or even several times a year.

The Procedure

After you and your NaDerm dermatologist discuss your medical history, allergies, and previous cosmetic procedures and decide you are a good candidate for Bellafill, you can begin the quick injection process.

Bellafill can safely be injected into several facial areas. While it has been approved for nasolabial folds and cheek acne scars, like most fillers, it’s also often and successfully used off-label on the lips, nose, chin, jawline, and under the eyes – areas where other dermal fillers are injected as well. Your injection may contain lidocaine, a numbing agent, to make the experience more comfortable. However, if you’re still concerned, you may opt for a topical numbing cream in the targeted areas.

You may experience bruising, swelling, redness, or slight discomfort in the area for 3-7 days.

Acne Scar Innovation

Indented acne scars are notoriously difficult to treat. Many serums and chemical treatments either work with minimal effectiveness or are harsh to the skin. Bellafill is an exciting solution because it can help not only plump up the look of indentations but also help the body rebuild lost collagen in its place without burning, scraping, or peeling the skin.

In clinical trials for patients with acne scars, Bellafill helped improve 50% or more of acne scars by 2 points (out of a 4-point system) in 6 months. Bellafill continued to be effective even after a year. This is groundbreaking for acne sufferers who want to reduce the appearance of scars and find solutions to improve the collagen matrix underlying the wounds.

Safety Profile

Most reactions to Bellafill are mild and similar to those to other fillers. If allergies are a concern, we may order a bovine allergen test on your arm. Severe allergic reactions like granulomas are infrequent.

That said, some patients choose hyaluronic acid fillers over Bellafill because they are more biocompatible—and there is truth to this. The PMMA microspheres are biocompatible and designed to work harmoniously with the body; however, they are not dissolvable with a secondary injection like hyaluronic acid-based fillers are.

Migration

A significant but, fortunately, rare concern with hyaluronic acid fillers is the migration of the filler compound. While this is mitigated by employing a highly experienced injector, there’s always a small risk of less-than-ideal cosmetic results. Bellafill, on the other hand, has been formulated to create stable, predictable results that stay in place.

Injector Experience

As with all fillers, selecting an experienced and qualified professional is essential to minimize safety risks. Ensure your provider is well-trained in the proper techniques, particularly for long-term fillers like Bellafill. Ask to see before and after photos and address any concerns before deciding. If Bellafill suits you, you can look forward to enjoying long-lasting, refreshed results for years to come.

We encourage you to contact one of our offices and schedule a no-obligation consultation with an Atlanta-area dermatologist to learn more about Bellafill’s unique benefits!