Artefill®, Permanent Injectable Wrinkle Filler
 ArteFill® is a FDA approved nonresorbable, injectable dermal filler made by Artes Medical USA, Inc for the correction of nasolabial folds (smile lines). It is also used for lip augmentation, acne scars, and other wrinkles.
The filler is made up of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) beads suspended in a water-based carrier gel containing purified bovine collage and, lidocaine hydrochloride (local anesthetic) to reduce pain during injection.
ArteFill is injected directly into the wrinkle to give support to the sagging tissues. The polymethylmethacrylate beads in ArteFill remain intact which means they are not absorbed into the body but the collagen degrades. These beads act as foreign substance and stimulate the body to generate its own collagen as an inflammatory response. Each bead gets surrounded by natural collagen produced by the body and thus permanently fills the wrinkle.
A simple allergy skin test is done to test for sensitivity to bovine collagen before starting the treatment. Artefill is not given to patients who display a positive response to this skin test.
It is contraindicated in patients with history of anaphylactic shock, severe allergies, and allergies to any of the contents of the product such as lidocaine or bovine collagen. It should not be used in individuals with risk of developing hypertrophic scars or keloids and areas where the skin is thinner such as crow’s feet around the eyes.
Injection Technique
The filler can be injected using one of the following techniques: serial puncture, threading, fanning, and crosshatching.
- Serial puncture- A series of small amounts of filler is injected along the length of the defect.
- Threading- This method involves passing the needle into the treatment area and when appropriate depth is reached, the needle is withdrawn at the same time the filler is injected. This technique is commonly used for lip and nasolabial fold augmentation.
- Fanning- This is the same as threading, but multiple threads are injected in different directions without withdrawing the needle. This technique works well for augmentation of the nasolabial folds.
- Crosshatching - A series of threads perpendicular to each other are injected in a grid like fashion. Both fanning and crosshatching techniques are used to fill larger defects.
Treatment lasts for 10-20 minutes and is usually painless. Depending on the areas treated, more than one syringe may be needed to create the best look possible. Enhancements are recommended 1-3 months after your treatment to “fine-tune” your results. These may often require only the smaller 0.4 cc syringe.
Results
Results are immediate and only 1-2 treatments are usually required.
- Immediate, visible results with no downtime
- A simple, in-office procedure
- Excellent safety profile
- Results improve over the course of several months
Complications
Artefill treatment is associated with certain complications such as pain or tenderness, needle marks, bruising, and swelling at the site of injection immediately after the procedure. Some asymmetry associated with over or under correction can be expected within the first 2 weeks which does not require any further treatment. Infections may occur but are less common and are because of improper technique. Severe allergic reactions can occur because of allergy to bovine collagen. Rare potential side effects of all dermal fillers may be lumps, abscesses and granulomas, which are usually treatable.
Aftercare
No special care is needed after treatment; however it is advised not to massage the area on the day of your treatment, as this may displace the gel. Exaggerated facial expression during the first 24 hours may also displace the gel, so avoid prolonged laughing, playing musical instruments with your mouth and sleeping on your face. Apply cold packs for 10-15 minutes every 1-2 hours until bedtime on the day of your treatment to reduce swelling & bruising.
See complete Wikipedia article here.
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