Facial Plastic Surgery Study on Artefill

The permanent filler Artefill has lead a strange life, at least in the U.S.

Although the facial filler has been used in Europe since the mid-1990s where it has produced results that last ten years, Artefill hit the world of American plastic surgery and more or less went over like a screen door in a submarine.

Approved in 2007 for plumping out the nasolabial lines those deep, age-revealing folds that run from the corner of the nose to the corner of the mouth. Plastic surgeons often call those same lines, the “smile lines” (even though those who have them don’t smile about it!)

But in 2008, the maker, Artes Medical, went under. Good-bye Artefill!

It could have been due to the cost of the facial filler – about $5000 for treating the average middle age face – or the fact that it is permanent. Artefill, injected just under the skin, pushes those folds up because it contains ultra tiny beads of a material known by the tongue-twisting name polymethylmethacrylate, (or PMMA) and is chemically related to Plexiglas. That makes it permanent – there is no way to reverse the procedure if you don’t like it.

But, hello! It’s back and now owned by Suneva Medical who picked up Artefill’s option in 2009.

According to RealSelf.com, 16 actual unbiased cosmetic surgery patients reported their Artefill procedure say the average cost of their facial plastic surgery with the stuff was $1819. Moreover, 63 percent said it was worth it.

A Florida dermatologist on a research grant provided by Suneva Medical used and tested Artefill on 14 patients to correct their acne scars. Results? 93 percent of the study group, aged 24 to 69 said they would do the procedure again and recommend it to others.

A Los Angeles board certified plastic surgeon uses Artefill in non-surgical nose jobs. The filler disguises bumps, raises low nasal bridges and lifts a drooping tip. The surgeon also uses Artefill for chin and cheek augmentation, something that formerly was only done by invasive surgery in which implants were used.

One of the first uses of ArteFill was treating facial wasting in HIV patients. Normal aging can also cause loss of fat tissue in the face so Artefill is also being used to fill in hollow areas, like under the eyes.

Tip: make sure your surgeon is very skilled with a needle and performs facial filling often, at least once every week.