What is Artefill®?
Artefill® is the first injectable filler available in the United States that fulfills the promise of lasting results. ArteFill injections have been used for more than a decade throughout Europe and Canada under the name Artecoll for treatment of nasolabial folds (the deep lines that run from the side of the nose to the corner of the mouth). ArteFill has recently received approval from the FDA for treatment of nasolabial folds.



What is Artefill® made of?
Artefill® is a combination of a well-known temporary filler (Collagen), and a permanent acrylic based filler known as polymethyl methacrylate, or PMMA. Artefill® contains 80% purified bovine collagen and 20% Artefill® Precision-Filtered Microspheres (tiny spheres made of PMMA, the same material used for dozens of medical implants over the last 50 years). As the collagen portion of Artefill® goes away with time, the Artefill® PMMA microspheres stimulate collagen production by the skin and finally become encapsulated (fully covered) by the patient's own collagen fibers which provides the lasting results.



How is Artefill® different from other fillers?
All temporary fillers such as Restylane, Juvederm, Collagen, and Radiesse are eventually absorbed by the body and repeat injections are required to maintain results. ArteFill is different, as a component of Artefill® (known as Artefill® microspheres), are not absorbed by the body. These microspheres provide the permanent support needed for long-lasting wrinkle correction.



Is ArteFill® safe?
Yes. The FDA has approved ArteFill® for the safe and effective correction of smile lines. As a safety precaution, prior to treatment we will conduct a skin test to make sure that you are not allergic to the bovine collagen or anesthetic in ArteFill®.



How long does the procedure take?
The procedure is a short office visit, the entire procedure takes about 30 minutes.



Do the injections hurt?
Generally, there is virtually no discomfort at all at the time of the treatment, since it is mixed with an anesthetic.



What will I look like after treatment?
You can expect some redness and possible swelling at the site of injection. Because the procedure is an injection there is a possibility of bruising.



When will I see results with ArteFill® and how long will the results last?
Initial results of an ArteFill® treatment are immediate. Results of the treatment can last 10 or more years. Most people get the results they want with one or two treatments, depending on the depth of their wrinkles and folds.



What results should I expect fro the treatment?
ArteFill®.results are similar to results obtainable using other fillers such as Restylane, Juvederm, and Radiesse. The major difference is that results from ArteFill®.are long lasting. Typically only 2 injections, about 4-6 weeks apart, are needed to get a lasting correction.



What other wrinkle and line fillers are available?
CosmoDerm/Cosmplast - 3 months (Bovine Collagen)
Juvederm - 6 or more month duration (Hyaluronic acid)
Restylane - 6 months and longer (Hyaluronic acid)
Radiesse - 1 to 5 years (CaHA microspheres Calcium hydroxylapatite)
Sculptra - 2 years or more (Poly-L_Lactic Acid)?