Artefill is hardening in my face. Is there any way to remove this stuff? (Photo)

Question

I had Artefill injected above my upper lip, on the bridge of my nose and a few other places on my face about 2 years ago. It has Hardened in all of the sites. The Dr tried injecting Kenalog which did not help at all and may have made it worse. Is there any way to remove this stuff? I'd rather have the wrinkles.

Ryan Mitchell, DO, FAOCO · Answer

Hello,  I am sorry to hear that you are having problems with the Artefill that was injected into your face.  I have personally been injecting Artefill for almost four years and I have not yet experienced in my patients the problem that you are having.  I am also VERY careful as to what off-label injection sites I inject into and I have only placed this product in the lips once but in a very small amount.  Because the Artefill (now called Bellafill) is a permanent dermal filler, the only way to remove it is via surgical excision.  There are no injectable medications that I am aware of that will dissolve the PMMA (polymethymethacrylate) particles.  In fact, Bellafill is contraindicated for use in lip augmentation for the reason you are experiencing.  Bellafill is FDA approved for volume restoration of the nasolabial folds only.  It is a great product and I have had much success with it when using it in the nasolabial folds and mid face.  It is very tempting to use it in other facial areas i.e. lips) but the risk of developing significant clumping or hardening of the product seems to outweigh the advantage or benefit of more esthetically pleasing lips.  I recommend that you firmly massage the areas that are bothering you in order to try to "break the product up".  Massage 2-3 per day.  It may be a little sore because I think you should massage relatively firmly.  You may place one finger in you r mouth and the other on the outside and try to "squish" the product.  This maneuver may help over time.  Go back to your injecting surgeon and ask him or her what the next treatment modality might be to correct the situation.  Like I said, I have only used this product in the lips once and I used a tiny amount.  I think I will not use it again in the lips.  We have other alternatives that are safer.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

We are specialists in the removal of Artefill from the face and body. Inflammatory mediators can wreak havoc on permanent fillers, causing swelling and pain. Early removal is key. 
  Best, Dr. KaramanoukianLos Angeles

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

I suggest 5fu injections and starting fraxel/venus legacy treatments.  There is nothing that will reverse this completley but I found these help.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Jared Mallalieu, DO · Answer

I would try 5-fluorouracil injections. Unfortunately this product can not be dissolved like hyaluronic acid type fillers. The good news is that only 20% of the Artefill (now called Bellafill) is PMMA (the microspheres which are "permanent"). Hopefully as the collagen fades you will see some improvement. Good luck, Dr. M

Jan Zemplenyi, MD · Answer

Artefill has been renamed to Bellafill. It is works by stimulation of your own collagen. If you have discrete nodules they can be improved with injection(s) of dilute steroid (combination of Kenalog and 5-fluorouracil.)

Artefill is hardening in my face. Is there any way to remove this stuff? (Photo)

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Answer: Artefill is hardening in my face. Is there any way to remove this stuff?

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Artefill is hardening in my face. Is there any way to remove this stuff? (Photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: Artefill hardening

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Answer: Artefill is hardening in my face. Is there any way to remove this stuff?

Answer: Artefill is hardening in my face. Is there any way to remove this stuff?

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