This week, the FDA approved a new hyaluronic filler, called Belotero Balance. It’s made by Merz Pharmaceuticals, the makers of scar product Mederma and Botox wanna-be Xeomin. Belotero has been on the market in Europe in 3 separate formulations, which are designed for different applications. So far, the U.S. only gets this one version.Like the other HA’s already on the market, Belotero is not permanent. I believe the duration of treatment from Belotero Balance is similar to that of Juvederm and Restylane. However, Belotero is the first HA filler to be manufactured with a new cross-linking process, that makes it smoother and less prone to lumpiness. The technique is called “Cohesive Polydensified Matrix (CPM) technology” – which sounds very Star Trek…and allegedly this method gives the product better elasticity and smoothness.
Various European websites claim this smoothness allows a less painful injection and also gives a nicer feeling initial result for the patient, but I’ll have to see some science on those claims first! So far, this study suggests that Belotero Basic, one of the 3 European formulations, is equal to or slightly better than Restylane during the first 4 weeks after injection.
We’ll be evaluating this product for use in our injection practice, to add to Restylane, Juvederm, Prevelle Silk, Radiesse and Sculptra. We’ll keep you posted!
