Carolina Laser and Cosmetic Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina specializes in dermatology and cosmetic procedures, including Botox, Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm, Evolence, Dysport, Sculptra, Latisse eyelash treatment, liposuction, laser hair removal, laser tattoo removal, laser skin rejuvenation and wrinkle resurfacing and vein treatment (laser and sclerotherapy).
Wrinkle Fillers | Artefill® | Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Artefill®?
- What is the difference between Artefill® and BOTOX®?
- How much does Artefill® cost?
- How does Artefill® work?
- How long does the Artefill® implant last?
- Is Artefill® safe?
- What does Artefill® treatment feel like?
- Who should not have Artefill® treatments?
- Can a face-lift or other surgery be performed after an Artefill® implantation?
- Can Artefill® be used during pregnancy?
- Who invented Artefill®?
- Am I “vain”?
- Pre-treatment instructions
- Post-treatment instructions
- How much does it cost?
1. What is Artefill®?
Artefill® is an injectable implant used for the long-lasting correction of wrinkles and other skin depressions. Artefill® is composed of ultra fine particles of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) which are suspended in a collagen solution. Artefill® will soon be marketed in the United States under the trade name Artefill™.
PMMA has been used by doctors for over 60 years in such common procedures as dental prostheses, eye lenses, bone repair, orthopedics and in pacemakers. PMMA is used because it is very safe and does not cause allergic reactions.
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2. What is the difference between Artefill® and BOTOX®?
BOTOX® relaxes the muscles which cause many facial lines and unwanted facial expressions.
Fillers like *Artefill®, collagen (Zyplast™ and Zyderm™), *Perlane™, *Restylane™ and other products fill creases, lips, cheekbones, and also defects like acne scars. Sometimes BOTOX® is used in combination with Artefill® when treating certain areas where permanent deep lines have resulted from over activity of the muscles, for example some frown lines on the lower forehead or wrinkles around the lips.
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3. How much does Artefill® cost?
Artefill® is not expensive; however there is a cost involved. Many cosmetic treatments were once considered a luxury item only for those who had a high disposable income. Artefill® is very affordable even for those with modest incomes, but some people need to budget for it just as they would for buying accessories like shoes and having their hair styled.
“Having successful cosmetic treatments for your face is not expensive, it is priceless.”
Artefill® costs $1200.00 per syringe
Patch test dose of the collagen in which Artefill® is suspended costs $50.00.
You might typically use a total of one or two syringes of Artefill® (perhaps one to start with and maybe another in 3 or 4 months) to enhance your lips, or to soften and fill in your nasolabial folds or forehead lines. The improvement is gradual (allowing you to control the rate and degree of correction) — and the cost is spread out over a long period of time, so Artefill® treatment should be easy on you, and easy on your budget! Because the improvement is not sudden, people are likely to notice that you are looking better, but they will probably not know WHY your appearance is improving as time goes on (unless you share your secret with them!)
Artefill® treatments may be a tax deductible medical expense (similar to dental, orthodontic and cosmetic surgery bills), so save your receipts!
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4. How does Artefill® work?
After Artefill® is injected, the collagen in which the PMMA particles are suspended is absorbed by your body over a period of about 4 weeks. During this time there may appear to be some loss of the correction in the treated skin folds, wrinkles and scars.
The ultra fine particles of PMMA in Artefill® stimulate your skin to produce its own natural collagen, which is laid down around the PMMA particles during the 3 or 4 months after Artefill® is injected. The long term correction volume is usually around 50% of the injected volume. This produces the final permanent and natural correction which you desire. While the effect is permanent, it will take a few months before the full effect of a treatment is apparent, and usually several treatments are required to obtain the final result you desire.
It’s important to remember that it takes 3 or 4 months for Artefill® to fully settle in, so you should not judge the results too soon. You need to allow time for your body to produce new collagen to anchor the PMMA microspheres in place.
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5. How long does the Artefill® implant last?
Unlike collagen (which lasts 3-6 months) or hyaluronic acid (which lasts 6-12 months), the benefits of Artefill® treatment should be visible for at least five years or longer, depending on the location of the treatment and the nature of your skin. The implant will remain for the rest of your life.
Artefill® does not stop time. With sun damage and because of the natural aging process new wrinkles may appear close to the site of the original implant, or existing wrinkles may gradually become deeper as time goes on. These wrinkles and skin folds can be treated with Artefill® if you desire in the future.
In some areas (for example, the forehead and upper lip) BOTOX® treatments are often used to reduce unwanted muscle movement and in this way complement the effect of the Artefill® treatment in those areas.
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6. Is Artefill® safe?
Yes. Artefill® is extremely safe. More than one hundred thousand men and women in all age groups around the world have been successfully treated with *Artefill® since 1989. Studies show that the vast majority of them were so happy with their results they would be willing to have the treatment again.
There have been no reports of rejection of the PMMA microspheres. PMMA has been used since the early 1930’s in dental prostheses, and since 1947, when the first hip prosthesis was introduced. Many scientific articles on bone repair have mentioned the chemical inertness and biocompatibility of PMMA.
The collagen molecules have been specially processed to minimize the risk of allergic reaction.
A skin test can be used to determine if the patient is sensitive or allergic to the collagen or lidocaine in Artefill®. A tiny amount of the collagen/lidocaine solution is injected on the inside of the arm, near the elbow. There are no PMMA microspheres in the test dose, so there will be no long-lasting changes in the skin where the test dose is injected. If there is no redness, tenderness itching or swelling in the test area 2-4 weeks after the test dose, we can be confident that there will be no allergic reaction to Artefill®. Less than one person in a thousand has an allergic reaction to Artefill®.
People who have had no problems with collagen injections in the past do not need to have an Artefill® skin test.
Rarely, if the injection is made near to the skin surface, the implant may appear as a light colored area. If this color difference persists, the Artefill® can be removed.
In less than one case in a thousand there can be excessive production of collagen and connective tissue in the treated area. If this happens, the involved area can be injected with the anti-inflammatory medication Kenalog, or may be removed by excision.
Possible side effects include swelling, redness, slight bruising and moderate discomfort for a few days after injection. Sometimes there can be slight itching at the implantation site for several days.
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7. What does Artefill® treatment feel like?
The needle used for Artefill® is very fine and many patients are very pleased by the minimal discomfort of the Artefill® treatment. Very sensitive areas (for example, the lips) are gently anesthetized before Artefill® treatment to improve your comfort. In addition, Artefill® contains lidocaine to minimize post-treatment tenderness. Anesthetic cream may be applied to your skin for 30-60 minutes before treatment to reduce discomfort. Some people find it helpful to take a couple of plain Tylenol™ and/or Advil™ an hour or two before treatment to reduce discomfort.
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8. Who should not have Artefill® treatments?
- People with a positive reaction to skin test
- People who are allergic to collagen or bovine products
- People who are genuinely allergic to lidocaine (this is very rare)
- People who have severe rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or dermatomyositis
- People who tend to make enlarged scars (keloids)
- People who have thin, loose skin in the area to be treated
- People who have unrealistic expectations (as with any treatment, you need to have an accurate understanding of the likely benefits and risks of *Artefill® treatment.)
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9. Can Restylane™, Perlane™ and Juvedérm™ be used during pregnancy?
Yes. A face-lift can be performed after an Artefill® implantation. The skin on the face is thick enough to prevent the implants from becoming visible after a face-lift. Artefill® should not be used in thin, loose skin. It is possible that an implant in thin skin will be visible after a face-lift. Artefill® treatments can sometimes reduce or eliminate the need for a facelift or other surgery, or can delay the need for repeated surgery.
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10. Can Artefill® be used during pregnancy?
There is no technical or medical reason why Artefill® could not be used during pregnancy, but because one’s appearance often changes considerably during pregnancy it is generally better to wait until after the baby is born before using products like Artefill® which are intended to produce long-lasting improvement.
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11.Who invented Artefill®?
Professor Gottfried Lemperle of Germany invented Artefill® during the 1980s. Professor Lemperle is a plastic surgeon who is now working in the Division of Plastic Surgery, University of California, San Diego.
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12. Am I “vain”?
Many people at some time before Artefill® treatment for wrinkles, lip augmentation or scarring have fears and doubts. A common concern is that they are being vain. My experience has been that just about all patients who have *Artefill®, *Perlane™, *Restylane™, laser hair removal, BOTOX® treatment, and other procedures to maintain their appearance and comfort are no more vain than anyone else. What does distinguish these individuals is a desire to get the most out of life, and to look as good as they feel.
Looking after our appearance is not a fault. After all, would you leave your house with broken gutters or peeling paint? Why do less for your body? I think you should feel proud of yourself for having the will and the ability to change something that you find unacceptable. I emphasize that you should only have Artefill® and other treatments if it is for you. It is a big mistake to do these things if it is just for somebody else.
The same self-esteem that makes our patients successful in their chosen fields, precise in their consultation questions, well groomed and dressed, and often careful in their diet, exercise, and other aspects of health maintenance leads many of our patients to seek help for their wrinkles and frown lines. These individuals are normal healthy people, and the same degree of self-interest that prompts them to exercise, be selective in what they eat and drink, and protect themselves from sun damage leads them to explore the benefits of Artefill®. Our patients simply want to look their best.
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13. Pre-treatment instructions
It is good to pamper yourself on treatment day! If you have a nice big breakfast or lunch, and an extra glass of water, you will be more comfortable. Many patients like to take a couple of plain Tylenol before treatment (similar to what you might do before having a flu shot) to prevent discomfort. As a practical matter, bruising is seldom a major problem after Artefill® treatment. The chance of bruising can be reduced by minimizing your consumption of ASA, alcohol and Vitamin E for 3 days before Artefill® treatment.
Please wear no makeup, or makeup that is easy to remove, so that the area to be treated can be clearly seen. You can bring makeup with you, and you may apply your makeup immediately after treatment.
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14. Post-treatment instructions
After Artefill® treatment, there is occasionally some pain, swelling, itching or redness at the site of injection — similar to what you could experience after any injection. You may take a couple of plain Tylenol several times a day to reduce swelling and discomfort. ASA (Aspirin) should be avoided as it may increase the chance of bruising around the treated areas. Cold compresses or ice packs can also be used to reduce any swelling, itching or discomfort. Redness may last for 1 — 2 days, occasionally longer in some patients. Until the initial swelling and redness have resolved, do not expose the treated area to intense heat (e.g. hot packs or sunbathing), or to intense cold.
In order to allow the implant to stabilize, try to avoid excessive movement of your facial muscles in the treated areas for the next few days, and in particular during the first 12 hours after your Artefill® treatment.
The implant may feel somewhat firm at first, however, it will soften over time as your body produces its own natural collagen and connective tissue. As time goes on, you may be able to feel the Artefill® implant under your skin because you know where to find it, but the only thing other people should be aware of is the long-lasting improvement in your appearance.
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14. How much does it cost?
Artefill® is priced at $995.00 per syringe.
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Dr Anne L. White, Carolina Laser and Cosmetic Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has trained internationally in the latest techniques of cosmetic procedures, including Botox, Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm, Evolence, Dysport, Sculptra, Latisse, liposuction, laser hair removal, laser tattoo removal, laser skin rejuvenation and wrinkle resurfacing and vein treatment (laser and sclerotherapy).
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