Question: I have been getting Juvederm and Restylane for the smile lines as well as my hollow cheeks and temples. The thousands of dollars I’m spending each year to maintain has really added up. I’ve heard that Bellafill lasts 5 years. Since it is more expensive than temporary fillers, how will it save me money?

Answer: Bellafill was shown to last 5 years during the FDA trial in 2005. In fact, of the more than 1,000 patients followed, 83% were found to still be satisfied with the results at the 5 year mark – that is, 5 years after the initial injections.

In order to understand why Bellafill is superior to temporary fillers, it is important to appreciate the differences in mechanism of action. A temporary filler such as Juvederm or Restylane contains hyaluronic acid, a man-made substance injected to fill various facial areas. These synthetic hyaluronic acids are degraded by our body over time. Even if you are told that a temporary filler lasts one year, in actuality, your result is unlikely to last 12 months. Only a very small amount, perhaps 5-10% of what was originally injected, may still be present at one year. Typically 6-8 months after initial injection, half or more of the temporary filler is gone. Typically, to maintain a one year result, Juvederm and Restylane should be performed, on average, every 6 months.

Bellafill’s mechanism of action distinctively differs from temporary fillers and plays a key role in its longevity. The Bellafill crystal works by stimulating your body’s own collagen. However, the results from Bellafill are seen immediately due to the presence of bovine collagen in the mixture. By the time this bovine collagen gradually dissipates over 2-3 months, new collagen, produced by the Bellafill crystal, has already been laid down. Over the ensuing 5 years, the Bellafill crystal continues to stimulate and replace the older collagen that is continuously degraded by your body’s natural processes.

Unlike temporary fillers, Bellafill works not simply to restore lost volume but, more importantly, it maintains that volume over 5 years as a result of its ongoing collagen stimulatory properties. It is for this reason that, unlike temporary fillers which continue to degrade as time passes, frequent maintenance treatments with Bellafill are not typically needed. It is also why Bellafill is, indeed, much more cost-effective than temporary fillers in the long-run.

As a BellaDiamond Master Injector, having performed over 5000 Bellafill treatments since 2013, I have found Bellafill to be superior for facial sculpting in patients looking for a natural appearing, long term solution.

Consulting with a Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon who specializes in minimal invasive facial rejuvenation is the first step. A detailed understanding of facial anatomy, superior technical expertise and a strong aesthetic eye are equally important considerations.

Anita Mandal, MD

Dr. Anita Mandal is a double Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon practicing since 1998. She exclusively specializes in facial rejuvenation and non-invasive body contouring. In addition to being on the medical staff at Jupiter Medical Center, her offices house both surgical and laser suites. Dr. Mandal is committed to giving her patients the most natural looking results. 

Mandal Plastic Surgery Center 

2401 PGA Blvd., Suite 146 

Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410 

Phone: (561) 238-0040

Website: www.MandalPlasticSurgery.com 

E-mail: [email protected]