Artefill

ArteFill® is a FDA approved nonresorbable, injectable dermal filler made by  Suneva Medical Incorporated. for the correction of nasolabial folds or 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 collagen and, lidocaine hydrochloride (local anesthetic) to reduce pain during injection.

ArteFill is injected directly into the wrinkle to give support to the sagging tissues. 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.

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- Threading method involves passing the needle into the treatment area and when appropriate depth is reached, the needle is withdrawn at the same time the filler is injected.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- Fanning technique is similar to 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.

Artefill dermal fillers provide immediate results and require only 1 or2 treatments. Other advantages of Artefill include:

Immediate, visible results with no downtime

A simple, in-office procedure

Excellent safety profile

Results improve over the course of several months

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 due to 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.

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.