Radiesse or artefill for smile lines?

Radiesse and Artefill can both be used to improve smile lines.  Radiesse would give you a fairly immediate improvement but the effect would last less than a year.  Artefill would require several treatment sessions to gradually improve the area and the results would be long term.  

Both radiesse and artefill do good in the NL grooves. Radiesse lasts about 1 yr and costs about $650/ syringe. Most patients need 2 syringes which are larger syringes. Artefill lasts about 4-5 yrs and costs $1000/syringe and usually needs 4 syringes injected over a 3 month period. Sincerely, David Hansen,MD

It is important to understand that the aging process is dynamic, and that the concept of a "permanent" filler will not stop the normal process that occurs with time. Radiesse and Artefill both have the advantage of greater longevity than a filler like Juvederm or Restylane.  However, Artefill contains polymethylmethacrylate, a substance otherwise known as "super glue", while Radiesse contains calcium hydroxylapatite, found naturally in our bone structure.  There are reasons that Artefill, previously know in Europe and Canada as Artecoll took so long to achieve FDA approval in this country.  In certain circumstances, Artefill can provide great benefit, but the results, longevity, and composition of Radiesse make it an easy choice when considering longer lasting fillers.

Artefill has gotten a bad rap that is unwarranted. Radiesse will only give you a few months longer than Juvederm. I waited to jump on board with Artefill and now I'm a believer.  You must go to a very experienced injector for Artefill.  Most of the issues were with Artecol or with poor technique. Sterility needs to be adhered to. Cannulas are also very helpful. 

Most injectors lean away from permanent fillers. While complications are rare with the newer formulation of Artefill, they still occur, and can be catastrophic due to the permanent nature of the filler. In addition, we just don't know what the product will look like in 20 years.  If you're looking for more long term results, a combination approach may be safer. Combining energy based devices (lasers, radio frequency, ultrasound, etc) with fillers (radiesse, hyaluronic acid) and toxins can improve your overall skin quality and your smile lines for a longer period of time. Depending on the severity of smile lines, combining fillers with a face lift is another option that is more permanent.