Artefill is the first FDA-approved permanent dermal filler. Once injected into the body, the material (consisting of purified bovine collagen and tiny synthetic beads) will permanently fill in facial creases.
Unlike other facial fillers, Artefill is not absorbed by the body over time. While this reduces the need for future injections, it can also create problems. Because the material in Artefill does not occur naturally in the body, there is the risk of infection or an immune response that attacks the injected material. The immune response can cause hard lumps to form where the Artefill was injected, which may require surgical incision to remove.
Artefill is a permanent injection, meaning that if you do not like your appearance post-injection, the only way to remove the Artefill is surgically. The effects of other dermal fillers naturally fade within a few months or years, so if you don't like the results you won't be stuck with them forever.
Another problem noted with Artefill is its tendency to migrate to a different area of the face following injection. While proper post-injection care can reduce the risk of this occurrence, it cannot prevent it entirely. This may occur in the weeks after surgery or years later, as lost volume in the facial tissues enables the Artefill to shift to another position.
Finally, there is the cost. Artefill is a cosmetic procedure, and as such it is not usually covered by health insurance. Because Artefill is permanent rather than temporary, its costs are higher than for other dermal fillers. Injections cost around $1,000 per syringe; you may need one syringe or more than one, depending on the desired results.
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