Should I get Artefill injection?

I am interested in Artefill for filling in my cleft chin. Is this possible? How many syringes do you think I would need? Are there any other, better operations that would achieve these results?

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I am a 65 year old male. I received injections of ArteFill four months ago. The doctor used two tubes of 0.8cc each, for a total cost of $2400. The ArteFill was injected into my nasolabial folds. There was minimal discomfort, and only negligible bruising and minor sensitivity for a week afterwards. However, the procedure resulted in only a 50% improvement, when I was hoping for a 90% reduction. I guess my nasolabial folds were very deep. Anyone know if there are facelift procedures that specifically address the nasolabial folds? I am reluctant to spend more money on ArteFill if the results aren't going to be all that spectacular.

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The injection of fillers is very much dependent upon the doctor doing the injecting, particularly with Artefill. Artefill is a permanent, non-biologic injectable filler, which is made up of polymethylmethacrylate (Plexiglas) and bovine collagen. The problem with permanent fillers such as Artefill and silicone is that while there may be a good result initially, there are reports in the medical litereature of having foreign body reactions years after the products were injected. Additionally, as we age, our faces move and change, but the permanent filler does not, which can leave a very unnatural appearance years later. I would encourage you to stick with natural, biologic fillers such as hyaluronic acids, collagen and fat. Also, I would urge you to select a highly skilled specialist doctor for your procedures. By pulling the vector forward in the lower third of the face, I am able to flatten out the nasolabial folds, which means that it does not require nearly as much filling material as it otherwise would. While there are always face lift procedures to address this, you don't want to be pulled tight, it is not about pulling, it is about restoring volume. Especially in men, you have to be very careful with facial surgical procedures, as they can have a feminizing effect.

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I really really want to try Artefill for the folds around my mouth. (smile lines) Can someone please recommend a great doc for this procedure in NYC????? THANKS!!!

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Before you seek out Artefill injections, i would urge you to do some research into this agent first. You will find a number of people on this site who have experienced serious problems with permanent fillers such as Artefill. In the medical literature, there are reports of people having delayed granulomas as long as 12 or 13 years after receiving the injections. The permanent fillers currently available are all synthetic. In other words, they are non-biologic and the human immune system can see them as foreign bodies, which can create a reaction where the body attempts to rid itself of this foreign substance. I encourage my patients to use only biologic, innert substances, which are temporary. These agents are made of substances that occur naturally in the human body and are much less likely to cause a serious reaction. Remember, permanent fillers can cause permanent problems!

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I was asked, where in Mexico did I get ArteFill? Actually, I had it done locally in Sonoma. Incidentally, some of the Practicioners here have questioned the long term safety of this product. As I understand it, ArteFill or a very similar analogue has been used successfully in Europe for over 10 years. I can understand why the Practicioners are fearful of a filler that doesn't need repeated injections...

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i live here in Vegas and am interested in using artefill for my nasalfold lines. Is is considered to be safe and does it shift to otherparts of my body as time goes by? some people claim it does while others said no. Is there anyone out there that has used this particular artefill procedure that can help shed some light on this for me. Anything you can help me with is appreciated. Thank you

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I would encourage you to read a prior post of mine here on Real Self to a woman who had experienced exactly what you are concerned about, migration of the product. Artefill is a synthetic agent, made of polymethlymethacrylate (PMMA) beads in a bovine (cow) collagen suspension. PMMA is also known as Plexiglas. The collagen is absorbed by the body but the PMMA remains. I have seen many serious reactions to this agent. Whenever you inject something synthetic in the body, you can cause a foreign body reaction where the immune system reacts against the foreign invaider, in this case Artefill, and attempts to wall it off and reject it. The result of this are painful, red lumps, which in some cases can be treated with injectable steriods, but in other cases must be surgically removed. Please do some research on Artefill before you allow someone to inject this permanent substance into your face. Remember, permanent fillers can cause permanent problems. Instead, I would urge you to consider a biologic, or naturally occuring type of injectable filler, such as hyaluronic acid, (Restylane, Juvederm, Captique, etc.) They are very safe and while non-permanent, if injected by a good and well-qualified doctor, they will last a year or more. Why risk serious complications in your face?

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ArteFill is indeed a synthetic substance, but it has been carefully chosen not to cause a foreign body reaction. For the same reason, silicone which many women use to enhance breast size does not cause a foreign body reaction.

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While Artefill may have been carefully chosen to try to avoid foreign body reactions, according to this writer, it's predecessor, Artecoll, which was made of the identical formulation, PMMA in a bovine collagen suspension, indeed caused many foreign body reactions. The only difference between Artecoll and the newer Artefill as far as composition is concerned is the PMMA bead size which is slightly smaller and more uniform than Artecoll. It would be naive to think that simply from this you will avoid reactions. The truth is that Artefill has not been around long enough and has not been studied enough to say that it cannot cause these reactions. And for this writer to say that silicone does not cause foreign body reactions is simply not true! There is endless medical documentation of silicone foreign body reactions. This is the reason it is illegal in the US except for use in certain eye conditions. Again and as always, I urge consumers and patients to do their homework and research. Never accept someones word. Why take chances of serious reactions with your face?

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