Artefill is one of the newer dermal fillers on the market. It falls under the category of PMMA fillers as it contains a substance called polymethyl-methacrylate, which it uses to provide fullness and elasticity to weakened skin.
PMMA fillers are generally used to treat medium to deep lines and creases, including the nasolabial folds. Unlike other fillers, PMMA based products are injected deeper under the skin where they then work to provide the structure of the skin with a framework that collagen can build on. Because that artificial framework is not absorbed by the body, the results of Aretfill are considered semi-permanent. In all, there will be fewer treatments required and your skin will return to a softer, healthier look with a minimum of time and effort.
How Is Artefill Used And What Are The Side Effects?
Artefill is injected under the skin, to help provide structure and support from within. It is made up of a combination of purified collagen and PMMA microspheres. The purified collagen will provide instant results, rendering the skin softer, smoother and fuller at the time of injection. Within a month after the injection, it will be absorbed and your body will be encouraged to produce more collagen of its own.
The unique PMMA microspheres remain in your body permanently, to provide a framework for the collagen to build on, giving it a more solid structure that translates to firmer skin tone. The injection procedure takes between 15-30 minutes and requires no recovery time, so you can have it done during your lunch hour. Aretfill contains a small amount of the anesthetic lidocaine to control pain, but your doctor can lessen your discomfort further by applying a local anesthetic at the injection site.
Side effects are similar to those of other fillers, including swelling, redness and bruising at the injection site, all of which usually clear up on their own within 3 to 7 days. In some cases, there may also be itching, rash, persistent swelling or redness, and increased sensitivity at the injection site. These symptoms will also clear up on their own after a short amount of time. If they don’t, you should contact your doctor.
In rare cases, bumps may form at the injection site. Again, if this should occur you should contact your doctor for further treatment.
Are There Any Cautions for Post-Treatment?
In most cases, results will be immediately noticeable and side effects will be minimum, which will enable you to resume your regular routine directly after treatment. As with most fillers, there are some cautions against receiving this treatment. Individuals with a positive reaction to an allergy skin test, those who have a history of severe allergic reaction or allergy to lidocaine, have a history of allergic reaction to bovine collagen, are prone to forming heavy scars, or are undergoing or plan to undergo desensitization to meat products should not use Artefill.
How Does It Compare To Other Fillers?
Because the PMMA microspheres do not break down, the results of Aretfill are much longer lasting than those of other fillers that are designed to be reabsorbed by the body over time. This means that fewer treatments are necessary, which is important as Artefill can be considerably more expensive than other fillers. In most cases, only two treatments will be needed to achieve the desired effect.
With other fillers, effects will only last for several months and will need to be repeated multiple times. Artefill treatments can cost over $1,000 and are not covered by most health insurance plans, so you’ll want to carefully consider your options before making a choice. Individuals who have opted to use Artefill have been very pleased with their results and PMMA appears to be the new wave of dermal fillers.
Related Articles/Treatments:
Collagen Injections For Fine Lines