Do Not Be the First on Your Block to Try Artefill

Artefill is the newest FDA approved kid on the block for skin fillers. These products can erase static wrinkles, facial lines, and scars. This new product is supposed to be nonresorbable. It has been on the market in Europe for many years and there is a litany of bad results such as nodules, sores, and redness which are difficult or impossible to erase. The product was changed slightly for the US but it is still polymethylmethacrylate microspheres suspended in a collagen and water matrix. The collagen and water matrix are absorbed, leaving the microspheres in the skin. These spheres are then surrounded with fibrous tissue from the body, much like silicone is after injections. The results have been noted to last at least one year. Again they warn recipients of lumpiness, persistent swelling or redness, and increased sensitivity at the injection site. The product requires a kin test to be sure the patient is not allergic to the material and can worsen hypertrophic or keloid scars. The biggest draw-back is that unlike resorbable fillers like Restylane this will not go away after a bad reaction. Seeing the permanent deformities of so many self-indulgent movie stars this is not the time to test-try the newest product on the block. I am not sure how long I will wait before trying this product. I am sure I will use the silicone microinjection technique as we do with silicone and I will insist on multiple very small treatments to prevent permanent unsightly nodules.
Buyer Beware!