Artefill is an Artful Dodger of Wrinkles
Artefill is a preferred cosmetic enhancer for those who use dermal fillers to look their best, but don’t have the time for monthly or even yearly appointments. Artefill is the only non-absorbable esthetic injectable to gain the approval of the Food and Drug Administration (as of 2006). Artes Medical’s Artefill is proven to last at least five years and is considered a permanent treatment.
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The results are immediate and actually improve over time. |  |
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What is Artefill?
Bovine collagen accounts for almost 80% of the gel, while the remaining 20% is non-absorbable PMMA (poly-methyl-methacrylate) microspheres. There’s also a touch of Lidocaine to help numb the treatment area and reduce pain at the injection site. The bovine collagen in Artefill is extracted from a “closed” U.S. herd that is FDA compliant.
How is Artefill Injected?
The product is injected under the wrinkle, but over the layer of fat beneath the skin. The microspheres, purified with collagen, are evenly dispersed throughout the treatment area. The collagen helps provide the skin with cushioning and lift, but eventually dissolves leaving the microspheres behind to work as a more permanent support structure.
Artefill Benefits
Artefill’s primary use is the treatment of deep smile lines and creases. Treatments last ten to twenty minutes and must be administered by a certified, experienced doctor. The results are immediate and actually improve over time (up to one year). About one to three months after the initial session,“enhancement” appointments fine-tune the desired effect. It is not known if the product can be used with Botox.
What to do Before an Artefill Treatment
Since Artefill is made with animal products, allergy tests are required at least four weeks prior to treatment time. If you’ve already used a temporary filler in the same area, you must wait at least six months for it to be absorbed before trying the permanent filler. Plan to have the treatment administered at least one week before a special or public event.
Taking aspirin or ibuprofen prior to treatment may cause excessive bruising or bleeding. Reactions to the injection can last up to three days and may include swelling, redness, pain, bruising, and tenderness. It’s rare, but in some cases lumps or abscesses may appear. These will dissipate, but it may take several weeks to do so. Some doctors may ask you to come in an hour earlier to apply a thick layer of topical anesthetic to the treatment area to make the injection more comfortable. They also may recommend taking oral medication several days before and after the procedure to minimize bruising and bleeding.
Prior to the development of Artefill, the only other “permanent” filler on the market was silicone. The FDA revoked silicone’s approval due to serious side effects. As for Artefill, there are no studies on the long-term effects, and no reports of the product requiring removal. The use of Artefill may prove to save individuals time and money as repeated applications of the product are unnecessary.
By Krissy, Jun 25, 2009
sounds like botox....