Long-Lasting Injectable Filler Treatment in Wayzata, MN
As we grow older, our skin becomes thinner and less elastic. This occurs due to a loss of collagen and elastin in the skin. These are structural proteins that keep the skin supple and allow it to bounce back to its original smoothness after being creased. With the dramatic reduction of collagen and elastin production that begins around age 30, the skin becomes less resilient. Our facial glands also produce less oil as we age, which results in drier skin that is less flexible.
Dynamic wrinkles and lines that once only showed up when making facial expressions can become permanently etched into our skin. Makeup that once helped create a flawless complexion may gather along these lines and make them appear more prominent. In addition, acne from our youth or even adulthood may have left indented scars that become deeper and more noticeable with age as our skin loses volume.
For patients suffering from these aesthetic skin concerns, non-surgical Bellafill® treatment offers a long-lasting solution.
What Is Bellafill?
Bellafill is an FDA-approved injectable dermal filler used to smooth moderate to severe wrinkles and fill pitted acne scars. It is comprised of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) microspheres suspended in collagen gel. PMMA is a naturally biocompatible synthetic resin that is considered safe for cosmetic use.
How Does Bellafill Work?
The collagen gel in Bellafill adds volume beneath facial lines and scars to immediately raise them and create an even skin surface. Once your body metabolizes the Bellafill collagen, the PMMA microspheres are left. These create a support structure that stimulates the long-term production of collagen within your skin cells.
The replenishment of natural collagen continues to add volume to your facial wrinkles, lines and indentations, resulting in smoother skin that appears younger for years to come.
What Can Bellafill Treat?
Bellafill is specifically designed to correct nasolabial folds and moderate to severe atrophic acne scars on the cheeks. Nasolabial folds are the wrinkles from the edges of the nostrils to the corners of the mouth (also known as smile lines or parentheses lines). Atrophic scars are indentations in the skin that develop below the normal layer of skin when the cells are unable to regenerate, such as after acne or an injury.
In some cases, Bellafill can be used to treat other dynamic wrinkles, such as frown lines between the eyebrows and crow’s feet at the outer corners of the eyes. It may also be beneficial for treating small areas of facial volume loss, such as under-eye hollows that can create a gaunt appearance and dark circles in the lower eyelids.
Who Is a Candidate for Bellafill?
Male and female patients with pitted scars and facial wrinkles like smile lines may be candidates for Bellafill. Patients must be at least 21 years old to receive Bellafill injections, and they should have realistic expectations about the results Bellafill can achieve for them.
Patients Should Not Get Bellafill if They:
- Are pregnant
- Are under 21 years old
- React positively to the Bellafill skin test
- Have a history of high-risk allergies
- Are allergic to bovine collagen
- Are allergic to lidocaine
- Have antibodies to bovine collagen
- Have a bleeding disorder
- Have a history of excessive scarring
What to Expect During Bellafill Treatment
At the beginning of your treatment visit, you will be given a skin test to ensure you are not allergic to the ingredients in Bellafill. Once your test results have been evaluated as negative and you are cleared for treatment, a topical anesthetic cream may be applied to numb the target area.
A fine needle is then used to inject Bellafill into the skin beneath your facial lines or scars of concern. The Bellafill formula contains 0.3 percent lidocaine, which acts as a local anesthetic to further increase your comfort as it’s injected. Treatment generally takes 15 minutes to an hour depending on the number of syringes and treatment areas.
Is Downtime Needed After Bellafill?
Patients can resume their regular routine immediately after treatment without needing any downtime.
When Will I See My Bellafill Results?
Bellafill provides immediate results. You will notice smoother, more even skin as soon as your treatment is complete. However, you may experience some minor swelling for a few days that temporarily disguises your results.
Are There Any Bellafill Side Effects?
After treatment, patients may experience temporary side effects at the injection site that usually resolve within a few days to a week. Potential Bellafill side effects include:
- Swelling
- Soreness
- Redness
- Bruising
- Bumps
- Itchiness
- Discoloration
If you have reactions outside of these or experience any of the above symptoms for more than a week, reach out to our office.
How Long Does Bellafill Last?
The results of Bellafill for the cosmetic treatment of facial wrinkles and lines can last up to five years. Because it stimulates your body’s natural growth of collagen for years, Bellafill is one of the longest-lasting dermal fillers available on the market.
Bellafill for the treatment of acne scars provides results that last up to one year.
Forget About Filler Fatigue With Bellafill’s Long-Lasting Results
You can save time and money with Bellafill while no longer having to suffer from what has become known as “filler fatigue.” This term refers to the weariness that patients often experience after needing frequent repeat treatments to maintain their filler results.
How Much Does Bellafill Cost?
The cost of Bellafill varies between patients. The total price is based on the amount of filler needed to address their concerns, how many areas are being treated, the geographic location of the treatment, the experience of the provider and other factors. During your consultation, we can determine your individualized Bellafill treatment cost.
To help make your Bellafill treatment more affordable, we offer financing options through CareCredit. With interest-free and low-interest payment plans, Bellafill treatment can fit with nearly any budget.
According to the Plastic Surgery Statistics Report by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the average cost of one syringe of Bellafill was $1,058 in 2020. While this is nearly double the price of a syringe of hyaluronic acid filler like JUVÉDERM®, Bellafill has more value due to the length of its results. Bellafill lasts longer than other fillers, so you save on the cost of more frequent maintenance treatments you would need with other types of dermal fillers.
Bellafill Vs. JUVÉDERM
Many wonder if Bellafill is better than JUVÉDERM. These treatments both treat wrinkles, are FDA approved and have similar potential side effects. However, you may be a candidate for one more than the other based on your concerns due to the following differences.
Filler Materials
Like Bellafill, JUVÉDERM is an injectable dermal filler, but it is made of hyaluronic acid (HA) instead of collagen and PMMA microspheres. Hyaluronic acid is a substance found naturally in the body that adds hydration and plumpness to the skin. While both treatments add volume to the skin, they do so in different ways and different amounts.
Treatment Indications
Bellafill is the only injectable dermal filler approved for the treatment of acne scars, so JUVÉDERM does not treat this concern. JUVÉDERM can fill larger facial hollows and areas with significant volume loss, such as the cheeks and temples. Bellafill may be better for deeper wrinkles in the skin, but JUVÉDERM is great for wrinkles and folds in the middle and lower face.
Length of Results
Bellafill lasts far longer than JUVÉDERM because it stimulates your body to produce its own collagen for years after treatment. Bellafill can reduce wrinkles for up to five years and smooth pitted scars for up to one year. JUVÉDERM is FDA approved to last up to one year.
Can I Combine Bellafill With Other Cosmetic Treatments?
Patients interested in Bellafill may have additional cosmetic concerns they would like addressed that are outside the scope of what Bellafill can treat. In addition to JUVÉDERM, Dr. Smith and the staff at Sapphire Advanced Aesthetics offer injectable treatments such as BOTOX Cosmetic, Radiesse, and JUVÉDERM Volbella. These injectables may be performed at the same time or shortly after your Bellafill treatment. Cosmetic laser skin resurfacing treatments and an array of skincare products are also available for helping you maintain youthful, radiant skin.
During your consultation, we can develop an individualized treatment plan for all of your cosmetic needs.
Discover Smooth, Youthful Skin With Bellafill in Wayzata, MN
If you’re looking for a way to treat acne scars and wrinkles such as smile lines, Bellafill may be right for you. Our full-service cosmetic treatment center in Wayzata is your one-stop shop for all of your aesthetic needs, and we can help determine if Bellafill or another treatment is best for your goals.
Whether you’re coming from a big city like Minneapolis, a more suburban town like Plymouth or a city outside Minnesota, we welcome local and out-of-town patients and offer concierge services and phone consultations.
Schedule your complimentary consultation with our certified cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Leslie Smith, at Sapphire Advanced Aesthetics by filling out our digital contact form or calling us at 952-460-1970.