Artefill lumps: can CO2 laser help?

I had Artefill injected into my tear troughs (Intra-orbital rim hollows) 15 months ago. It was a traumatic experience. After all of the initial swelling subsided I was left with telangiectasia matting which gave me the appearance of two permanent black and blue eyes. I had this lasered which improved the color.

Over time now I have become asymetrical. One side looks great but the other is left with a lump. Due to all the discussion of the permanency of the product and my continual aging (I am 34 now) I am concerned that this lump will become more apparent.

I do not want to have the lump surgically excised but would consider fractional CO2 if it were to improve or smooth out the texture. Please let me know your thoughts.

2 answers to “Artefill lumps: can CO2 laser help?”

A: CO2 laser resurfacing not the way to go

Richard P. Rand, MD

Unfortunately, I doubt lasering of any kind would help. The ArteFill would have best not been used at all, let alone around your eyes. The temptation to use something more permanent and avoid repeated injections has led many patients down a slippery road towards problems like you are having. The problem with... more

A: Laser resurfacing not ideal for Artefill problems

Arnold W. Klein, MD

I am terribly sorry to hear of your bad experience with Artefill. I have long warned against the use of this product for the very reasons that you describe.  I am not optimistic that C02 Laser resurfacing would help in your case as the Artefill is placed beneath the skin and the laser would not address... more

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Comments

jenfromzen
4 posts
24 May 2009

I am not familiar in particular with Artefill as a PMMA filler, but I am experienced with a permanent PMMA filler and I would not knock down all uses of permanent filler. They are worth the money of not needing repeat injections if you are filling a very large area that would be impossible to fill any other way or an area that is UNDERNEATH MUSCLE. WHEN PLACED UNDER MUSCLE YOU DO NOT GET ANY LUMPS OR BUMPS VISIBLE UNDER THE SKIN. I have seen awesome results used in the jaw of the face and the buttocks. I had it in my nasolabial folds and maybe I'm lucky so far and do not have any uneven lumps and bumps. It may depend on doctor's experience. In some facial areas the amount used has to be very small, you have to not think you can get it filled in once visit, this helps to prevent overfill. You have to expect to do it in 3 or more visits. But anyway, under the muscle is the best use of it. I had it in temples also. Just anywhere it can be injected deep and not right at skin surface. But even so having done it on my hips, I do have lumps and bumps a bit, but this is an area hidden to most people due to wearing clothes. It is not on my face and there was no other viable way to fill the hips. There is no such thing as a hip implant. I did not have enough fat to do fat transfer to fill it. So I didn't have a choice so I do have some bumps I'd like to remove, but it is not that I could have chosen a better filler option. I do think there is a need and a value to good pmma fillers, maybe the ones not used in the US, but the ones from Mexico and Brazil. I am told mine is permanent, not semi-permanent. I could not afford to repeat the amount of money it cost to fill my hips so it had better be permanent. To pay for US pmma and spend that much for it to last only 3 to 5 years is great I guess if a)you are rich and b) you don't mind being stuck with those giant needles again and again and again!

Artefill before & after photos

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