Artefill FAQs

Dr. Hilinski is "Double Board Certified" in Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery.

Featured Case
Rhinoplasty Case Example

The current Featured Rhinoplasty Case Example was chosen because of the many complexities involved with her surgery. This is an otherwise healthy young lady who desired reshaping of her nose due to several areas of concern. She had no prior surgery on her nose.
click here to continue

Q - What is Artefill?
Artefill is an injectable filler that may be used during an office-based procedure to treat unwanted wrinkles and creases or to volumetrically enhance the contour of the face with immediate results. Artefill is the only FDA-approved non-resorbable (permanent) injectable filler available for use in treating unwanted facial wrinkles and creases. This filler is comprised of two components: polymethylmethacrylate microspheres (PMMA) and bovine collagen. The active component that serves to augment or fill out wrinkles and creases is the PMMA microspheres, which are microscopic beads that are concentrated into the gel. Once injected into a certain area, the beads begin to blend into the surrounding soft tissue. The body will then heal around the beads, forming a biological matrix that helps to permanently plump out and augment that particular area. The bovine collagen simply acts as a carrier to help in delivering the Artefill to the desired area. The nasolabial folds, or smile lines, is one of the most common areas treated. As we age, these folds begin to deepen and appear more and more obvious. Artefill was intended to help plump and soften these deep folds to provide a more youthful, rested look.

Q - What is Artefill made of ?
Artefill is made up of two components: polymethylmethacrylate microspheres (PMMA) and bovine collagen. PMMA is the active component that serves to augment or fill out wrinkles and creases, while the bovine collagen simply acts as a carrier to help in delivering the Artefill to the desired area.

Q - Who is a good candidate for Artefill treatment?
Individuals who are looking to treat unwanted wrinkles and creases or to volumetrically enhance the contour of the face may be good candidates for Artefill. For years, patients have used a multitude of temporary fillers with excellent results. Artefill is the latest in the long line of available fillers but has an advantage over other fillers in that it does not reabsorb. Therefore, Artefill may be a better option in some patients who desire immediate and enduring results for deep facial lines and creases. The most common areas treated include the nasolabial folds, or smile lines, which deepen and appear more and more obvious with age. Artefill was designed to help plump and soften these deep folds in order to restore a more youthful, rested look. Off label, Artefill can be used much like other injectable fillers to provide additional soft tissue volume and contour. For instance, Artefill may be injected into the cheek or lower face to fill out areas that are otherwise hollowed or flat. By adding contour and volume, these areas appear less aged and tired. In fact, some patients opt to have Artefill facial contouring rather than undergo alternative procedures such as a cheek implant. Patients with an allergy to collagen are not considered candidates for Artefill as bovine collagen is used as a carrier for the Artefill beads. For this reason, skin testing is required for all patients to ensure the absence of a collagen sensitivity.

Q - Where is the Artefill procedure performed?
Artefill is an office-based procedure.

Q - What type of anesthesia is used for the Artefill injection?
A local nerve block injection is done prior to the procedure for added comfort with the Artefill placement. The Artefill product also contains an agent that acts to numb the area even further.

Q - How is the Artefill procedure performed?
Artefill treatment begins with a nerve block to numb the areas where the filler will be placed and to maximize comfort for the patient. The Artefill is then placed by use of tunneling injection technique. This involves multiple parallel injections that mimic the path of a tunnel under the skin. Unlike more temporary injectable fillers, such as Restylane and Juvederm that are placed in the superficial dermis of the skin, Artefill is placed deeper in the skin near the junction of the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. This deeper placement is required since the Artefill is more dense than other temporary fillers and because it provides more volume enhancement (filling) per amount injected. In addition, since Artefill is non-resorbable, it is critical to avoid placement of the filler near the layer where it may be easily seen through the skin surface. It is also important to avoid overcorrection with Artefill. Once the Artefill is in place, patients are usually given an ice compress to place over the treatment area to minimize the chances of swelling and bruising.

Q - How long does the Artefill procedure take to perform?
Artefill treatment usually takes fifteen to thirty minutes to complete, including completion of a nerve block.

Q - What is the recovery like after the Artefill injection?
Patients will experience mild swelling during the first twenty-four hours after treatment. Bruising is less common. If patients note an area that is not necessarily as smooth as the remaining areas, gentle circular massage may help to further blend the Artefill into the surrounding tissue. Most patients are scheduled for a follow-up recheck within two to four weeks after treatment, at which time they are assessed for any necessary touch-up treatments.

Q - When will I be able to return to work after the Artefill treatment?
Patients are usually able to return to work and other normal activities within several hours after the Artefill treatment.

Q - When will I be able to exercise after my Artefill procedure?
Most exercise may be resumed within twenty-four hours after the Artefill treatment.

Q - Are there risks or complications with Artefill?
Artefill treatment is generally a safe procedure. However, despite conservative and proper injection technique, some patients may note an uneven area that may persist despite massage. In most cases this can be successfully addressed by additional contouring of the surrounding area. In rare cases, some patients may develop a focal area of inflammation around the filler, termed a granuloma. If this occurs, a series of steroid injections may help to calm the inflammation and restore normal contour.

Q - Does insurance cover the Artefill procedure?
Artefill treatments performed for cosmetic purposes are usually not covered by insurance, though patients will need to check with their own insurer.

Read more about San Diego Artefill procedures.

Dr. Hilinski's office in San Diego, CA is conveniently located near the following: