ArteFill®

ArteFill®. If you have used dermal fillers in the past, you know they are eventually absorbed by the body. ArteFill® is one of the longest lasting filler on the market. ArteFill’s® unique microspheres are not absorbed by the body, allowing them to provide the necessary support for long-lasting results.

ArteFill® is a dual-acting wrinkle filler. It’s secret is in its patented microsphere enhanced collagen. First the collagen inArteFill® visibly corrects the wrinkles, then the microspheres provide the support your skin needs for long-lasting, natural wrinkle correction.   The only thing most people don’t realize is the active ingredient only makes up 20% of the syringe.   Therefore it takes five times as many syringes to achieve long lasting results.

To ensure you are not allergic to the collagen inArteFill®l, a skin test will be administered in our office before your first treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1 – What is ArteFill®?
ArteFill® is a permanent filler that is used for correcting deep nasiolabial folds, which are among the first sings of aging. The safe, simple procedure has immediate results, no down time, and results improve over time.

2 – How does it work?
ArteFill® works similarly to dermal fillers like Restylane, but since it is a collagen gel, the filler is not absorbed into the body over time. That means results are permanent, and typically only one or two treatments are required to produce lasting results. The gel fills and corrects the wrinkle, while its PMMA microspheres provide your skin with permanent support for long-lasting wrinkle correction.

3 – How is Artefill® different from temporary dermal fillers?
All temporary fillers are eventually absorbed by the body. That’s why they require frequent repeat injections. ArteFill® is different. The unique microspheres in ArteFill® are not absorbed by the body. These microspheres provide the permanent support your skin needs for long-lasting wrinkle correction.

4 – What do I need to be aware of?
This is a permanent treatment, so make sure that you have used semi-permanent fillers and like the results before trying them. Your skin must be tested four weeks before your initial ArteFill® treatment to ensure there are no allergies to bovine collagen. It should be postponed if you are on any kind of immuno-suppressive therapy or if you have any skin outbreaks near the injection sites.

5 – Is ArteFill® safe?
Yes. The FDA has approved ArteFill® for the safe and effective correction of smile lines

6 – How long does an ArteFill® injection last?
Depending on the patient and the correction to be made, a second or third injection may be done if the degree of correction from the first injection is not optimal. ArteFill® is a long-lasting implant. The improved results should be visible at least five years or longer depending on the patient. The implant remains for the life of the patient. However, ArteFill® does not stop time and the cosmetic effect of the implant will gradually diminish over time as new wrinkles may be formed.

7. What should I expect during and after treatment?
Usually a simple one-step procedure, done in the doctor’s office. ArteFill® contains an anesthetic which minimizes discomfort. Slight itching at the implantation site is a common symptom. There may be minor swelling, redness, bruising or tenderness that normally subside in one to two days. ArteFill® has an excellent safety record with less than 0.1% incidence of side effects (mainly allergy and inflammation). It takes about three months for the full effect of the implant to be seen. After the swelling has gone down, your wrinkles may temporarily return after a few weeks. This is a normal occurrence, and they will start to disappear again over the next few months as the body forms its own connective tissue.

8. Is an ArteFill® injection painful?
No. A topical anesthetic is normally put on the area to be treated one hour prior to the procedure. Also, ArteFill® contains lidocaine to minimize post-treatment tenderness. The needle used for ArteFill® is very fine and the injection is virtually painless.

9. How long has ArteFill® been in use?
PMMA has been used since the early 1930’s in such common procedures as dental prostheses, eye lenses, bone repair, orthopedics and in pacemakers. These microspheres are well tolerated by human tissue (there have been no reports of rejection), and are only 4-5 times the size of a red blood cell. ArteFill® has been used with more than 100,000 patients over the last 10 years.

10 – Why is a skin test necessary prior to treatment with ArteFill®?
A skin test is a safety precaution to make sure that you are not allergic to the bovine collagen or anesthetic in ArteFill®.

11 – Can anyone have ArteFill® treatments?
No. Some people are not good candidates for ArteFill®. ArteFill® is contraindicated in those who:
Have a positive reaction to the ArteFill® skin test.
Have a positive reaction to the ArteFill® skin test.
Have a history of severe allergies and hypersensitivity (anaphylaxis).
Are allergic to the anesthetic (lidocaine) in ArteFill®.
Have a history of allergies to any bovine collagen products.
Are prone to thick scarring (hypertrophic) formation and/or excessive scarring (keloid).
Are undergoing or planning to undergo desensitization injections to meat products.
Are there any other treatment concerns with ArteFill®?
Yes.
If you have any skin outbreaks (e.g., cysts, pimples, rashes, hives, infection) near the injection site, you should postpone treatment until they clear.
If you are taking aspirin (NSAIDs) or anti-inflammatory drugs or have any medical condition that affects your blood, you may experience increased bruising or bleeding at the injection sites.
In addition, you should inform your doctor if:
If you have any skin outbreaks (e.g., cysts, pimples, rashes, hives, infection) near the injection site, you should postpone treatment until they clear.
you have had any treatments for smile lines in the last 6 months.
you are receiving UV light therapy.
you are currently on immuno-suppressive therapy (medication commonly prescribed for those who have undergone an organ transplant, or are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, or cancer).
It’It’s important that you share your medical information with your doctor. Together, you can make an informed decision as to whether ArteFill® is right for you.

12 – Are there any further precautions with ArteFill®?
Yes, you should know:
ArteFill® contains microspheres that help provide the permanent support for wrinkle correction. Treatment results are lasting. The microspheres can only be surgically removed.
The safety of ArteFill® in pregnant or breastfeeding women, and individuals under 18, has not been established.
There is always a risk of infection with any injection. Discuss the symptoms of infection with your doctor so you will be able to recognize them.
Check to see if your doctor is properly trained to provide ArteFill®.
Are there any possible side effects with ArteFill®?
As with any injectable wrinkle filler, you can expect mild swelling and reddening at the treatment site. These side effects are usually gone within 24 hours. Occasionally, there is mild bruising that typically disappears in 3 to 7 days. Less common side effects include rash and itching more than 48 hours after treatment, persistent swelling or redness, and increased sensitivity at some or all injection sites. Two other rare potential side effects of all dermal fillers may be lumps and granulomas, both of which can be treated by your physician.