I haven't tried it but I have been researching HA based fillers for a little while now. From what I know Belotero is a thinner solution that is better for shallow scarring and fine wrinkles because it does not clump under the skin and is more elastic.

Restylane and Juvederm tend, as you said, to be "harder" solutions so would work best when used on deep scarring. But these fillers, when used at the surface, can cause those dreaded lumps, bumps and possible a blue tinge to the skin (as light passes through the filler). Belotero is more lightweight and can be injected right at the skin's surface without causing lumps etc. I'd say there is still always a chance that a filler can cause lumps but at least it is not permanent, being a HA based filler it would break down into water and CO2 and be absorbed by your skin.

They say that it can last as long as Restylane (6-12 months) so that's a plus. I would have thought a thinner filler would not last as long.

I'd say go for it!

Thanks for your feedback, Quirky Fox! Glad someone else is familiar with the filler.

I read that Belotero can last 6-12 months because it is injected interdermally, not subdermally like other HA fillers. As a result, it is supposedly protected from being dissolved as quickly by surrounding cells.

I am having it injected on Friday. I will post an update a few days after my procedure. Hope all the hype is true and my shallow scars will at least be hidden for a few months.

I read that Belotero can last 6-12 months because it is injected interdermally, not subdermally like other HA fillers. As a result, it is supposedly protected from being dissolved as quickly by surrounding cells.

Oooh, interesting! Makes sense too! I'm excited for you now and I look forward to hearing how it goes. I truly hope it makes a huge difference to your skin.

I read that Belotero can last 6-12 months because it is injected interdermally, not subdermally like other HA fillers. As a result, it is supposedly protected from being dissolved as quickly by surrounding cells.

Oooh, interesting! Makes sense too! I'm excited for you now and I look forward to hearing how it goes. I truly hope it makes a huge difference to your skin.

Thank you! I will provide an update soon. As always, I am hoping for the best!

good luck with your treatment inspired. im really curious on the effects of balotero on shallow boxscars .

It has been two weeks since Belotero. I wish I had something positive to report but I am pretty disappointed and can't wait until my skin absorbs the filler. I have successfully accentuated my shallow scars and bad skin texture. Some of the filler also moved so I look like have vertical troughs (although very shallow) in bad lighting. Belotero also causes your skin to look white, not blue like other HA filler. If you are fair skinned, it is probably unnoticeable. However, I am skin type 3 and still have some hyperpigmentation from my last laser treatment. The color of my skin looks blotchy now. It is white where the filler was injected. I was told this would fade/blend by the second week but so far, it hasn't blended with my normal skin color. The white spots are also exaggerated by my hyperpigmentation and it is giving the illusion of deeper indents and bumps. I still have part of the syringe remaining at my doctor's office but I probably won't use it or try a filler again. From this experience, I have concluded small shallow boxcars are just too difficult to improve with filler. Plus, it does nothing for bad texture and can make scars more pronounced.

It has been two weeks since Belotero. I wish I had something positive to report but I am pretty disappointed and can't wait until my skin absorbs the filler. I have successfully accentuated my shallow scars and bad skin texture. Some of the filler also moved so I look like have vertical troughs (although very shallow) in bad lighting. Belotero also causes your skin to look white, not blue like other HA filler. If you are fair skinned, it is probably unnoticeable. However, I am skin type 3 and still have some hyperpigmentation from my last laser treatment. The color of my skin looks blotchy now. It is white where the filler was injected. I was told this would fade/blend by the second week but so far, it hasn't blended with my normal skin color. The white spots are also exaggerated by my hyperpigmentation and it is giving the illusion of deeper indents and bumps. I still have part of the syringe remaining at my doctor's office but I probably won't use it or try a filler again. From this experience, I have concluded small shallow boxcars are just too difficult to improve with filler. Plus, it does nothing for bad texture and can make scars more pronounced.

its too bad this was the outcome. i would highly recommend enerjet as it helped alot with some shallow boxcars . i know they dont offer it in california or many part of the states which is a bummer

Sad to hear this. I thought this could have been a good filler. At least your skin looks heaps better after your laser!

It has been two weeks since Belotero. I wish I had something positive to report but I am pretty disappointed and can't wait until my skin absorbs the filler. I have successfully accentuated my shallow scars and bad skin texture. Some of the filler also moved so I look like have vertical troughs (although very shallow) in bad lighting. Belotero also causes your skin to look white, not blue like other HA filler. If you are fair skinned, it is probably unnoticeable. However, I am skin type 3 and still have some hyperpigmentation from my last laser treatment. The color of my skin looks blotchy now. It is white where the filler was injected. I was told this would fade/blend by the second week but so far, it hasn't blended with my normal skin color. The white spots are also exaggerated by my hyperpigmentation and it is giving the illusion of deeper indents and bumps. I still have part of the syringe remaining at my doctor's office but I probably won't use it or try a filler again. From this experience, I have concluded small shallow boxcars are just too difficult to improve with filler. Plus, it does nothing for bad texture and can make scars more pronounced.

Oh disappointing! Did you voice your concerns with the doctor? I'm amazed that it moved under your skin, it shouldn't have. The white colour is also a huge bummer. It would be okay for me, as I'm paper white, but the last thing you want to have to do is wear make-up every day to hide discolouration. I'm sad it didn't work for you though. Any thoughts about where to from here for your skin? Chin up!

xx

I think my expectations from Belotero were unrealistic. It is my own fault. I didn't ask my doctor any specific questions on what I could expect in terms of results. I also haven't talked to him since the procedure. It is hard to tell in pictures but the texture of my upper cheeks is pretty bad. I had hoped to see smoothing to the texture and now realize how impossible that would be with a filler. I think the scarred area is just bound down too tight and the amount of scarring is too extensive. As a result, the filler seems to have moved around the bound down spots. It is either that or the filler was injected in the entire area and ended up just plumping up the texture. I am not sure. I was pretty red and swollen when I left his office, so I couldn't tell much after the procedure. Nothing I can do now but chalk it up to experience and wait for the filler to disappear.

I will say that a couple scars look improved but overall, this wasn't worth it.

Also, I found this FDA document earlier today. I guess I am experiencing blanching and discoloration that's lasting a bit longer than normal:

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf9/P090016c.pdf

Hoping that fades soon.

I also discovered, we only have Belotero Balance in the USA. It is not the thinnest Belotero on the market. It is still thinner than other HA fillers but apparently there are three types of Belotero outside the USA.

Also, I have no idea what I am going to do next for my scars. I may just have to come to terms with the bad texture and accept it. I can't imagine going through another laser procedure. Either way, I know my skin will never be smooth.

Thanks to all who have taken an interest in my journey. It is nice to know I am not alone.

QuirkyFox,

Thinking of additional treatments and knowing you believe in the Dermaroller, what's your opinion on Dermapen? My doctor's esthetician offers Dermapen treatments and it is fairly inexpensive. Do you think it could improve skin texture? Unfortunately, professional dermarolling is very hard to find in Los Angeles. Acupuncture is quite popular here though. Any opinion on that?

Thanks

If your scars are really bound down then I think subcision would be the way to go. You could try it on a scar or two first if you're nervous.

If your scars are really bound down then I think subcision would be the way to go. You could try it on a scar or two first if you're nervous.

He did do light subcision on my scars while injecting the filler. I can actually still see where the needle was fanned in some spots. I just think my scars are too shallow and close together at this point. Sanding scars down with co2 laser does appear to make them wider. At least, mine appear wider, shallow and close together at this point. I wish I could get an image to pick up what I am talking about.

Do you think subcision can work on texture issues and boxcar scars? I have yet to find a doctor who felt he could improve the scars that I am referring to with subcision. My scars really appear as texture issues at this point. The skin looks irregular along my cheekbones.

Thank you for the post Inspired. I am sorry this didn't work out for you. The acne scar journey sure is tiresome sometimes.

That's the thing about fillers in general. If you have true rolling scars that have a smooth surface, without sharp borders, and are gently sloping (instead of a sharp drop-off), they can work very well. If you have generalized volume loss, ie sunken cheeks, due to widespread acne scarring, it can also help to volumize the face. Where fillers DO NOT work well are in scars that have sharp edges and are dense with scar tissue, ie boxscar and ice-pick scars. In those cases, the filler just gets pushed out to the surrounding area and you end up with a donut, which accentuates the scar.

The other problem with fillers is not so much the material, but the skill of the doctor. I have found that most doctors are pretty bad at filling acne scars. They either use too much and leave you looking bumpy, use too little, or miss the scar. For the right scars and with a a good doctor, you can get close to 90% improvement. If you have texture issues, fillers aren't very good for that.

QuirkyFox,

Thinking of additional treatments and knowing you believe in the Dermaroller, what's your opinion on Dermapen? My doctor's esthetician offers Dermapen treatments and it is fairly inexpensive. Do you think it could improve skin texture? Unfortunately, professional dermarolling is very hard to find in Los Angeles. Acupuncture is quite popular here though. Any opinion on that?

Thanks

Inspired, I am two weeks post an eDermastamp treatment and I have to say that I loved it. Hoping for results on top of my Dermarolling. I definitely think that skin needling is something to try, almost completely risk free if done professionally and with the right tools. I felt no pain and downtime was literally two days (weekend). I was just a little red and swollen. The eDermastamp I had done was for my full face, 0.5mm for my forehead, 1.5mm for around my jawline, chin and 2mm for my cheeks (where the deeper scarring is).

Hoping for awesome results and will be having another treatment on the 19th of October.