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A youthful look never goes out of style, but many of our patients who use injectable fillers have told us that it's hard to find the time for continuous facial treatments. These patients seek lasting improvement of wrinkles and skin imperfections without having to resort to surgical procedures. We now offer a product to give our patients the convenience of a cosmetic filler along with the lasting results commonly achieved only through surgical methods.
ArteFill® is a safe, long-lasting alternative to other injectable fillers that, while effective, require reapplication every six months to a year. As with other injectable fillers, treatments take about a half hour in most cases and are performed in our offices.
WHAT IS ARTEFILL®?
ArteFill® consists of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) microspheres, which are microscopic in size and evenly suspended in a solution of 3.5% collagen. This formulation allows the microspheres to team up with your body's natural collagen, thus anchoring into and reinforcing your natural tissue. As an injectable micro-implant for long lasting subdermal augmentation, the product is FDA-approved to treat nasolabial folds. It is manufactured in a laboratory facility that adheres to strict international protocols and product safety standards. The production process has been certified by various quality and safety organizations, including the International Certification Network, and holds ISO 9002 certification.
WHY SHOULD I SELECT ARTEFILL® TREATMENTS?
Benefits of ArteFill® include:
- Lasting improvement because PMMA molecules are not absorbed into the body.
- Cost-effectiveness since repeat treatments generally are unnecessary.
- ArteFill® treatments can be used alone or in conjunction with facial surgery, such as a facelift, skin rejuvenation procedures, or other injectable fillers.
WHAT AREAS RESPOND BEST TO ARTEFILL® TREATMENTS?
ArteFill® is FDA-approved for the treatment of nasolabial folds commonly called smile lines that run diagonally from the nose to the mouth. Unlike other injectable fillers, ArteFill® is not reabsorbed by the body.
WHAT ARE ARTEFILL® TREATMENTS LIKE?
Treatments are performed in our office and take about 30 minutes. After application of a topical anesthetic, ArteFill® is injected sub-dermally, into the border between the skin and subcutaneous fat. Because of their deep placement, the PMMA microspheres are invisible on the surface of the skin, avoiding the "blanching effect" of some injectable fillers. During the injections, the needle is drawn forwards and backwards; through this "tunneling technique," the doctor is able to fill in fine lines and wrinkles while also sealing the channels created by the injection itself.
After injection, the microspheres are spread and molded with the doctor's fingertip to ensure an even, subdermal distribution of the ArteFill® in the skin. The volume used will depend on the depth and size of the wrinkles or skin defects in the treatment area, and also on the patient's desired results.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT AFTER MY TREATMENT WITH ARTEFILL®?
Patients can continue on with their day immediately after receiving treatment. Any pain, swelling, or bruising that occurs at the treatment site is generally short-lived, lasting up to a few hours in most cases, and up to two days if extensive treatment is performed. Discomfort generally can be controlled with over the counter medications. Following treatment, patients are advised to avoid straining the muscles at the injection site(s), since the microspheres will need two to three days to become fixed to the fibrous tissue. Some patients may experience an allergic reaction at the treatment site, therefore, patients must have a skin test performed about one month prior to the day of the procedure to determine if they will have an allergic sensitivity to ArteFill®.
HOW MANY ARTEFILL® TREATMENTS WILL I NEED?
The number of treatments required depends on patient's skin texture, the area treated, and the result desired. Visible improvements immediately follow treatments, so you can determine whether you are satisfied with the results while still at the surgical office. In certain circumstances, a second treatment may be necessary after three months.
HOW LONG WILL THE RESULTS LAST?
The microspheres in ArteFill® are not absorbed by the body and do not degrade over time. As a result, the corrections you see after the procedure will last for years. Some touch-up treatments may be necessary as over time your natural collagen will continue to break down and will need to be re-infused with ArteFill® or a similar injectable filler.
To find out if ArteFill® could make lasting improvements for you, call our office at 800.763.9968 and arrange your private skin consultation today.
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