Injectables

Belotero Balance Injections – What You Should Know

Reviewed by Heidi A. Waldorf, MD

Belotero Balance is Food and Drug Administration-approved to add volume to moderate-to-severe facial wrinkles and folds. This hyaluronic acid-based soft tissue filler has been widely used in Europe and Canada, is been used in Europe and Canada for years.

What Is Belotero Balance?

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally-occurring substance found in the body's connective tissues. Its supply dwindles with advancing age, but injections of Belotero Balance or other hyaluronic acid-based fillers can increase volume, creating a more youthful appearance. Other hyaluronic acid-based fillers, including Juvederm, Restylane, Perlane and Prevelle Silk, are currently available in the United States.

Merz Pharmaceutical's Belotero Balance may hold certain advantages over the currently available hyaluronic acid fillers due to its ability to treat superficial or fine lines. Some other hyaluronic acid fillers can cause a bluish hue if they are injected too superficially, as light reflected through the skin may bounce off the clear filler. This is not the case with Belotero Balance. In this sense, it will fill a niche in the U.S. — a long-lasting filler for superficial wrinkles that can be administered close to the surface of the skin without causing a blue hue.

Another plus: If you are unhappy with the results of Belotero, or any hyaluronic acid fillers, injections of an enzyme called hyaluronidase can dissolve it, eliminating the effects.

There is no allergy test required with this injectable.

Belotero Injections: Are You a Candidate?

There is no one-size-fits-all filler. The best way to determine which filler or fillers are right for you is to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon or facial plastic surgeon. These specialists are best able to match the injectable to your specific aesthetic needs.

Belotero Balance injections take 15 to 30 minutes and may involve some minor discomfort. Expect some redness, swelling and bruising that will typically resolve in a week. The results are immediate. Belotero results last six to 12 months.

Belotero Cost

Belotero Injections will likely cost about $500 per syringe, making it comparable to other fillers on the market. The number of injections required varies based on the type, quantity and location of wrinkles or folds. Make sure you get a complete estimate before agreeing to the treatment.

Choosing a Belotero Provider

To help you find a Belotero provider, All About Facial Rejuvenation has compiled a directory of reputable surgeons, all of whom have undergone extensive education and training in a range of facial cosmetic surgery procedures. There are many surgeons out there, and the All About Facial Rejuvenation directory can help take the guesswork out of finding the right one for you.

About the Reviewer of this Article

Heidi A. Waldorf, MD, is the director of Laser and Cosmetic Dermatology at The Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, NY, and an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Dermatology at The Mount Sinai School of Medicine. She graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University and received her medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia. After completing her internship training at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and her residency in the Department of Dermatology at Harvard University School of Medicine, Dr. Waldorf completed a fellowship program in Mohs Micrographic Surgery, Laser Surgery and Cosmetic Dermatologic Surgery. She is a diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology, a fellow of the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, a fellow of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, and a fellow of the American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology. Dr. Waldorf sees patients at her offices in New York, NY, and Nanuet, NY.