Fast facts

About

  • Belotero and Juvederm are both cosmetic fillers that are used to improve the appearance of wrinkles and restore facial contours for a more youthful appearance.
  • Both are injectable dermal fillers with a hyaluronic acid base.
  • Belotero and Juvederm products are mostly used on the face, including the cheeks, around the eyes, nose and mouth, and on the lips.
  • The procedure for both products can take anywhere from 15 to 60 minutes.

Safety

  • Juvederm was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2006.
  • Belotero was approved by the FDA in 2011.
  • Both Belotero and Juvederm may cause side effects, including redness, swelling, and bruising.

Convenience

  • Treatment with Juvederm and Belotero is performed in-office by a trained professional.
  • You can find a specialist trained in the use of these products on the Belotero and Juvederm websites.
  • Most people can return to normal activities immediately following treatment.

Cost

  • In 2017, the average cost for hyaluronic acid-based fillers, including Belotero and Juvederm, was $651.

Efficacy

  • Hyaluronic acid fillers are temporary, and your body gradually absorbs the filler.
  • Results are immediate and last from six months to two years, depending on the product.

Belotero and Juvederm are both injectable dermal fillers with a hyaluronic acid base that are used to create a more youthful appearance. Though very similar, there are a few key differences between the two, which we’ll cover in this article.

Belotero

Though Belotero and Juvederm are both dermal fillers, Belotero’s lower density makes it a better option for filling much finer lines and wrinkles than Juvederm.

The Belotero product range includes formulations with varying consistencies for treating very fine lines to deep folds, as well as for performing facial contouring, lip augmentation, and cheekbone enhancement.

Before the procedure, the doctor may map the injections sites on your face or lips using a pen. Belotero products now contain lidocaine (an anesthetic) to help make you more comfortable during and after the procedure. If you’re concerned about pain, your doctor may apply a numbing agent to your skin first.

Belotero is then injected into your skin superficially, and higher up in the dermis than Juvederm would be, using a fine-gauge needle. After your doctor injects the gel, they gently massage the area to spread the product for the desired effect. The number of injections and product used will depend on what you’re having done and the extent of the repair or enhancement desired.

If you’re having your lips augmented, a series of small injections are made either along the vermilion border, which is the line of your lips, or into your lips, depending on the desired outcome.

You’ll see results immediately after treatment. Results last approximately 6 to 12 months, depending on the Belotero product used.

Juvederm

Juvederm, like Belotero, is a hyaluronic acid-based dermal filler. The Juvederm product line also includes different formulations and densities that can be used to treat several areas.

Juvederm is injected deeper into your skin than Belotero and seems to work better on deeper and more severe wrinkles and folds. It can also be used to add volume beneath the skin to increase the size of your cheeks for more pronounced cheekbones. Some of the products in the Juvederm line can also be used for nonsurgical lip augmentation.

The steps of the various Juvederm procedures are the same as Belotero. The only difference is how deep the filler is injected into your skin. Juvederm is injected into deeper layers of your skin, as opposed to higher in the dermis.

Treatment begins with the doctor mapping the injection sites using a pen and then injecting small amounts of the filler over the treatment area. The doctor then gently massages the area to spread the gel for the desired look. The amount of product and number of injections will depend on the area being treated and the extent of enhancement desired.

You will see results immediately after Juvederm treatment, and results last up to one to two years.

Both Belotero and Juvederm provide instant results, and each one may require a touch up after initial treatment to achieve the desired result. The key difference is how long results last.

Belotero

Based on clinical evidence, Belotero results can last from 6 to 12 months, depending on the product used.

  • Belotero Balance and Belotero Basic, for subtle to moderate lines and lip enhancement, can last up to 6 months.
  • Belotero Soft, for fine lines and lip enhancement, lasts up to one year.
  • Belotero Intense, for deep and severe lines and lip volume, lasts up to one year.
  • Belotero Volume, for restoring volume to the cheeks and temples, lasts up to 18 months.

Juvederm

Based on clinical studies, Juvederm provides longer-lasting results than Belotero, lasting up to two years, depending on which Juvederm product is used:

  • Juvederm Ultra XC and Juvederm Volbella XC, for lips, lasts up to one year.
  • Juvederm XC, for moderate to severe lines and wrinkles, lasts up to one year.
  • Juvederm Vollure XC, for moderate to severe wrinkles and folds, lasts up to 18 months.
  • Juvederm Voluma XC, for lifting and contouring the cheeks, lasts up to two years.

Results can vary per person and depend on the amount of filler used.

It isn’t known how either Belotero or Juvederm will work on women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or on people under the age of 18.

Who is Belotero right for?

Belotero is safe for most people. People with severe or multiple allergies, a history of anaphylaxis, or allergies to gram-positive bacterial proteins shouldn’t have this treatment, however.

Who is Juvederm right for?

Juvederm is safe for most people. But those with a history of severe allergic reactions or anaphylaxis, or an allergy to lidocaine or the proteins used in Juvederm, should avoid it. It’s also not recommended for people with a history of unusual or excessive scarring or skin pigmentation disorders.

Belotero and Juvederm are cosmetic procedures and not likely to be covered by your health insurance plan.

According to a 2017 survey by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the average cost of hyaluronic acid fillers, including Belotero and Juvederm, is $651 per treatment. This is the fee charged by the doctor and does not include costs for other medications you may need, such as a numbing agent.

The price of treatment will vary depending on the amount of product and number of treatment sessions needed to achieve the desired result. The experience and skill of the specialist and geographic location will also affect the price.

Juvederm has a loyalty program through which members can earn points for savings on future purchases and treatments. Some cosmetic surgery clinics also offer discounts and incentives from time to time.

Belotero side effects

As with any injection, Belotero may cause minor side effects at the injection site. Common side effects include:

  • bruising
  • mild irritation
  • redness
  • swelling
  • itching
  • tenderness
  • discoloration
  • nodules

Rare side effects seen in clinical trials included:

  • headache
  • lip numbness
  • lip dryness
  • swelling of the side of the nose
  • moderate cold sores

Common and rare side effects usually resolve on their own within a few days. Speak to your doctor if any of these symptoms last more than seven days.

Juvederm side effects

The most commonly reported side effects of Juvederm in clinical trials occur at the site of the injection and include:

  • redness
  • bruising
  • pain
  • swelling
  • tenderness
  • itching
  • firmness
  • discoloration
  • lumps or bumps

These side effects usually range from mild to moderate, depending on which Juvederm product was used and the location. Most resolve within two to four weeks.

Many of the adverse effects occurring in clinical trials were seen more frequently in people who received a large volume of the product and in people who were older.

BeloteroJuvederm
Procedure typeInjectionsInjections
Average cost$651 per treatment (2017)$651 per treatment (2017)
Common side effectsRedness, itching, swelling, bruising, pain, tendernessRedness, itching, swelling, bruising, pain, tenderness, lumps/bumps, firmness
Duration of side effectsIn general, less than 7 days. Some people may experience side effects that last longer.In general, 14 to 30 days. Some people may experience side effects that last longer.
ResultsImmediate, lasting 6 to 12 months depending on productImmediate, lasting up to 1 to 2 years depending on product
Recovery timeNone, but you should avoid strenuous exercise, exposure to extensive sun or heat, and alcohol for 24 hours.None, but you should limit strenuous exercise, exposure to extensive sun or heat, and alcohol for 24 hours.