ArteFill® is a filler that is injected into the dermis for correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles
and folds. It is the first non-resorbable (permanent) filler approved by the FDA. ArteFill® is
polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) coupled with a purified bovine collagen gel carrier. The PMMA beads form
a support matrix for your own collagen, which gradually replaces the bovine collagen carrier gel.
ArteFill® is approved to treat the nasolabial folds that form around the mouth. ArteFill® usually lasts for years,
unlike many of the non-permanent injectable fillers. All patients benefit from a second treatment 3 to 6 months
after the initial injection session. Due to biological variables (each person's ability to make collagen varies),
some patients may require a third touch-up treatment one or two years later.
A collagen skin test must be performed one month prior to treatment. Patients with a positive skin test will not
be treated with ArteFill®. Treatment involves multiple injections to the site with a very thin needle. Anesthesia
involves nerve blocks, topical numbing cream, or both.
Please call our facial plastic surgery office in Naples, Florida, to have one of our skilled facial plastic
surgeons treat you with ArteFill®.
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Dr. Anurag Agarwal discusses ArteFill on Naples WINK News
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How do I know which injectable is right for me?
The choice of injectable agent is critical to the successful treatment of wrinkles, folds, and facial depressions. An
individual consultation with one of our Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeons will give you an accurate assessment of
what will be best suited for your face. Often, a combination of agents (i.e. BOTOX ® Cosmetic, Restylane, Radiesse) may be used to
achieve optimal results in different portions of your face.
How long do injectables last?
Longevity of BOTOX® Cosmetic and Facial Fillers can vary from person to person. However, in general, BOTOX® Cosmetic lasts 3 to 5 months,
Restylane and JUVEDERM® Injectable Gel last 6 to 8 months in facial folds, JUVEDERM® Injectable Gel lasts 3 to 5 months in the lips,
Radiesse lasts 9 to 12 months in the folds, and Artefill lasts 1 to 5 years. These ranges are on the conservative side, and are often underestimates.
Is BOTOX ® Cosmetic safe?
BOTOX® Cosmetic has an excellent safety record and has one of the highest patient satisfaction ratings of any cosmetic procedure.
Who performs the injectables at your practice?
All of our injectables are physician administered by one of our plastic surgeons. They have the skill and aesthetic training
required to provide three dimensional volumetric enhancement and facial muscle relaxation.
Do injectables hurt?
Any injection will cause mild pain. However, we use a variety of measures to minimize this discomfort. Ice, topical anesthetic
creams, and/or nerve blocks with lidocaine are all techniques used to reduce pain, bruising, and swelling.
Will I bruise?
This varies from person to person. In general, BOTOX® Cosmetic rarely causes bruising. However, facial fillers, especially near the
corners of the mouth, often result in mild bruising. Avoidance of blood thinners can help reduce bruising, as long as you
are cleared to stop these by your medical doctor. Make-up can be applied the same day for camouflage, if necessary.
How much do each of these cost?
Please call us at 239-594-9100 for a price list of all of our injectables. BOTOX® Cosmetic is priced by the unit, while the facial
fillers are priced by the syringe. Keep in mind that only one of our plastic surgeons can give you an accurate assessment
of the number of syringes or BOTOX® Cosmetic units that are needed to accomplish your goals.
I am only 30 years old. Am I too young to start?
Many lines, folds, and depressions are hereditary. It is not too early to address these. In fact, many facial fillers
are made up of natural constituents of the skin, such as hyaluronic acid or collagen. Therefore, it makes sense to
restore these to the skin.
Do injectables accomplish the same thing as a facelift?
No!!!. Injectables are often complementary to facelifts, but a needle will not restore facial fat pads, muscle laxity,
or skin laxity to their youthful positions like surgery will.
Vice versa, surgery often softens but does not eliminate deep nasolabial folds and marionette lines. In these cases,
direct injectable fillers such as Restylane, Radiesse, JUVEDERM® Injectable Gel, or Artefill can complement surgical treatment.
Can BOTOX® Cosmetic or Facial Injectable Fillers be performed on the same day as my consultation?
Absolutely. When you call to make your appointment with one of our plastic surgeons, just specify whether you are
planning on having a consultation with or without actual injectable treatment on the same day.
