Today, the hyaluronic acid filler family is expanding: the FDA has approved two new options from Merz Aesthetics: Belotero Volume (+) and Belotero Intense (+). For those with volume loss in the cheeks and midface, Belotero Volume (+) offers natural-looking results, and for those wanting a plumper pout, Belotero Intense (+) was developed with facial dynamics in mind, so you get a volume boost and natural movement.
Both formulas use Merz’s Cohesive Polydensified Matrix (CPM) technology, a manufacturing process that creates a gel with both high- and low-density zones. It’s biomimetic in its design, integrating into tissue and mimicking its natural behavior, rather than sitting on top of it. The goal, of course, is to allow for full facial expression without that taut, overfilled look.
For Belotero Volume (+), Merz cites 95 percent patient satisfaction through 18 months post-treatment, and for Belotero Intense (+), Merz reports 100 percent patient satisfaction at eight weeks, with results lasting through 12 months. As with any filler, outcomes vary by patient, and any treatment decision should be made with a qualified injector who can help choose the best product for you.
Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers have become the backbone of modern injectables, largely because they’re designed to move with your face and not against it. HA is a sugar molecule that our bodies produce naturally—it’s found in our skin, joints and connective tissue—where its job is to attract and hold water, up to 1,000 times its own weight. So, it makes sense that this molecule would be chosen for fillers. And when it’s injected into the face, it works the same way, restoring lost volume and plumping up lines and wrinkles. It’s also reversible, which makes it a lower-commitment entry point for the injectable novice.
