Bellafill® (Polymethyl Methacrylate-Collagen Filler)
What is Bellafill?
Bellafill® is an FDA-approved injectable facial filler made from a collagen-based gel containing polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) microspheres. Results from Bellafill® can last up to 5 years.
How does Bellafill work?
Bellafill® is injected under the dermis and immediately goes to work filling wrinkles and smoothing uneven areas of the skin. Over time, Bellafill’s collagen formula is metabolized by your body, leaving behind its PMMA microspheres which stimulate skin cells to make collagen.
Bellafill® injections usually take 15 to 60 minutes. While patients can expect to see some immediate results, full effects develop over time, taking their final shape in one to three months.
Julie Holesh, PA
Physician assistant Julie Holesh is board-certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. With both an artistic eye and medical expertise, she can help you achieve optimal skin quality with injectables, laser treatments, and other med spa services.
Acne scar treatment
Bellafill® is the only long-term solution for acne scarring. More than just a filler, it can be used to selectively add volume to acne-scarred skin, elevating pitted areas to the same level as the rest of your skin—and providing results you can love for up to 5 years.
Fine lines, wrinkles, and cheek volume
Bellafill® immediately restores volume loss in your cheeks to smooth hard lines and wrinkles. It also promotes collagen production in your skin. The PMMA microspheres within the collagen gel provide a “scaffolding” that helps your skin naturally build its own collagen over time.
Fantastic service and results! Two thumbs up!
I recently received BOTOX® injections for my forehead wrinkles and am thrilled with the results! Dr. Claytor and his staff are immensely kind and professional and made me feel extremely comfortable from the moment I set foot in the office. If you’re considering any cosmetic procedure, look no further than Claytor Noon Plastic Surgery, as this is a top-tier practice.
—RealSelf Review
What makes Bellafill® different from other fillers?
While most other injectables use hyaluronic acid to temporarily treat wrinkles and facial lines, Bellafill® is the only dermal filler proven to provide long-term solutions for acne scarring, fine lines, and wrinkles through its PMMA collagen gel. Hyaluronic acid treatments require follow-up injections every 6 to 12 months, while Bellafill®’s results last up to 5 years, saving you time and money.
- Key Benefits
- Glossary
- Long-lasting results: Bellafill provides long-term wrinkle correction and acne scar improvement by stimulating collagen production, with effects that can last for years.
- Immediate improvement: Patients can see immediate results after a Bellafill treatment, as it instantly fills and smoothes wrinkles and acne scars.
- Minimal downtime: Bellafill injections typically require minimal downtime, allowing patients to resume their daily activities shortly after the procedure.
- Safety profile: Bellafill has a well-established safety record and is FDA-approved.
- Versatility: In addition to addressing wrinkles and smile lines, Bellafill can effectively treat a variety of facial scars, including those from acne, providing comprehensive aesthetic solutions.
Bellafill: A U.S. FDA-approved dermal filler utilized for smoothing smile lines (nasolabial folds) and treating acne scars. It provides immediate volume and lift with long-lasting results.
Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) Microspheres: Tiny beads suspended within a collagen gel in Bellafill. These microspheres provide structural support to the skin, helping to smooth wrinkles and scars.
Collagen: A protein naturally found in the skin, providing it with structure and elasticity. Bellafill stimulates the body to produce more collagen at the injection site, resulting in smoother and plumper skin.
Dermal Filler: Injectable products used to restore volume to the face, smooth wrinkles, and enhance facial contours. Dermal fillers can be made from various substances, including hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite, and polymethyl methacrylate.
Granulomas: Small, firm nodules that may form under the skin as a reaction to a foreign substance, like dermal fillers. These are usually benign but may cause cosmetic concern.
Injection Site Reactions: Side effects occurring at the location where Bellafill or other dermal fillers are injected. These can include redness, swelling, bruising, pain, or itching, typically resolving within a few days.
Intradermal Injection: A procedure where substances are injected into the dermis, the layer of skin located beneath the epidermis.
Skin Test: A preliminary procedure performed to detect allergic reactions to Bellafill’s components. It involves injecting a small amount of the product into the skin and observing for signs of an allergic reaction.
Biocompatible: A term describing substances that can coexist with living tissues without causing harm or adverse reactions. Bellafill’s components are considered biocompatible, minimizing the risk of allergic reactions or rejection by the body.
Nodule: A small, sometimes palpable mass of cells within the body. Nodules can be benign or malignant, normal or abnormal, and their significance varies depending on their nature and location.
Contraindications: Specific conditions or factors that serve as reasons to withhold a certain medical treatment due to the harm that it would cause the patient. For Bellafill, contraindications may include allergies to any of its components, or certain health conditions.
Aesthetic Enhancement: Procedures aimed at improving the visual or aesthetic appeal of the face or body, often through minimally invasive treatments like dermal fillers.
Facial Contouring: The use of surgical or non-surgical techniques, including dermal fillers, to enhance or reshape facial features, providing a more balanced and harmonious appearance.
Facial Rejuvenation: Cosmetic procedures, both surgical and non-surgical, that aim to restore a youthful appearance to the face by addressing signs of aging like wrinkles, sagging skin, and volume loss.
Bellafill® candidates
If you have acne scars, fine lines, and/or wrinkles you’d like to reduce without surgery or frequent office visits, Bellafill® may be the perfect dermal filler for you.
Happy 40 Yr Old Patient!” – Bryn Mawr, PA
I have seen Dr. Claytor numerous times for BOTOX® and am always extremely happy with my results. His staff is always friendly, professional, and inviting, and he is always on time. At every appointment he takes the time to go over my concerns to make sure we are on the same page, even though he has seen me before. Dr, Claytor explains exactly what he is doing and I never feel rushed. He is more than happy to thoroughly answer any questions I might have. He is very kind and has a wonderful bed side manner. I would highly recommend Dr. Claytor and his staff for all of your cosmetic and reconstructive needs/concerns.
—RealSelf Review
Possible Bellafill® side effects
While side effects from Bellafill® are rare, mild, and typically resolve within 1 to 7 days, they can include:
- Bruising
- Redness
- Swelling
- Pain/Soreness
- Tenderness
- Itching
- Discoloration at treatment site
If you experience any of these side effects for more than a few days after your Bellafill® treatment, please contact our office to schedule a follow-up appointment so we can observe any changes to your skin.
Enhance your at-home routine:
Boost skin rejuvenation with Omnilux LED Masks
Extend the glow of your in-office treatments with Omnilux, a professional-grade LED light therapy system you can use at home. These FDA-cleared, flexible masks use red and near-infrared light to:
- Stimulate collagen
- Reduce fine lines
- Calm inflammation
- Heal and prevent acne
- Treat under-eye puffiness
- And more!
Omnilux can support healing and enhance your results between your treatment visits with just 10 minutes a few times per week!
Learn more and get your device »
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Schedule a consultation todayPhiladelphia plastic surgeon Dr. Brannon Claytor and physician assistant Julie Holesh perform all injectable treatments here at Claytor Noone Plastic Surgery in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. We proudly offer a full range of premium products to meet your goals for your appearance, including Botox, Xeomin, Daxxify, and Dysport, as well as the dermal fillers Juvéderm®, Restylane®, the RHA® filler collection, and Sculptra® Aesthetic.
If you are considering Bellafill® treatment or would like to learn more about your dermal filler options, we invite you to discuss your goals with Dr. Claytor during a personal consultation. Call Claytor Noone Plastic Surgery at 610-527-4833 or contact us online to get started!
References »
Solomon P, Ng CL, Kerzner J, Rival R. Facial Soft Tissue Augmentation With Bellafill: A Review of 4 Years of Clinical Experience in 212 Patients. Plastic Surgery (Oakv). 2021 May;29(2):98-102. doi: 10.1177/2292550320933675. Epub 2020 Jun 30.
Bellafill for acne scars. The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics. 2015 Jun 22;57(1471):93-4. PMID: 26079765.
Trinh LN, Gupta A. Non-Hyaluronic Acid Fillers for Midface Augmentation: A Systematic Review. Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine. 2021 Aug;37(4):536-542. doi: 10.1055/s-0041-1725164.
Joseph JH, Eaton LL, Cohen SR. Current Concepts in the Use of Bellafill. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery . 2015 Nov;136(5 Suppl):171S-179S. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000001839.
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Medically reviewed by Dr. R. Brannon Claytor — Updated on Apr 9, 2025