BELOTERO

Belotero Balance vs. Juvederm – initial thoughts in Modesto, CA

Today I used two syringes of Belotero Balance and two syringes of Juvederm in today’s line of work.  I’m happy to report that Belotero didn’t disappoint.  I’ve done many tear troughs before with Juvederm and I’ve always injected deep.  For Belotero, I injected more superficially.

For both syringes which I’ve used, I mixed in a small amount of Lidocaine with Epinephrine.

Belotero is a dermal filler which was recently approved by the FDA in December of 2012.  Belotero FDA approval.

The Belotero Balance Syringe

This is much smaller and much more ergonoic than their Radiesse syringe also made by Merz.

There was no cracking or splitting of the syringe which I’ve sometimes seen when I attach the Juvederm to my 3 way valve.  I could probably get a better connector; however, the three way valve is something that is handy in my office because I use it  for vein sclerotherapy in it’s foamed version.

The syringe itself is smaller than the the Juvederm syringe; thus it made it somewhat easier to inject initially where the thumb doesn’t have to stretch out as far.  It’s a small advantage for those with small hands – such as me.  I think this was done on purpose – to make the syringe shorter.

There were, however, some parts of the syringe that snap off – perhaps this is on purpose.  The luer lock itself came off when I first connected it to the 3 way valve.  The flanges for the syringe itself also slides off, and when playing with the syringe after injecting the product, the rubber tip of the plunger can also become dislodged.   Regardless, these are very minor issues – which mostly arise because I like to fiddle with the syringe itself.

Initial Conclusions on Belotero in my Modesto practice

On injection, it feels smooth, and can be easily molded after injection into the skin.  I used one syringe on tear trough and the other syringe on the accordion type lines around the side of the skin.  I used a superficial approach to these lines – in attempt to use less product.  It seems to work well.

It is on the opposite spectrum of their other product – Radiesse – which is a harder substance.  Belotero is very soft and pliable but lacks the intense hardness and lift capacity of Radiesse.

I believe that Belotero has a place in the palette of “paintbrushes” we use in our cosmetic injection craft.  But I think that more than one syringe is necessary to fill out fine line wrinkles in faces.

Disclaimer:  Much of what is discussed above is considered off-label FDA usage of Belotero and Juvederm Dermal Fillers.  More info about my Belotero Dermal Filler practice.  Belotero has been mispelled – sometimes as Boletero, Bolotero, Belotora, Belatoro.  “Belotero” is the correct spelling.  An example of a dermal filler consent form, see an example of the Radiesse consent form.

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