In recent years, people have been seeking out non-surgical cosmetic procedure options. People are looking for shorter recovery periods than from a facelift, brow lift, or other facial plastic surgery. The most popular non-invasive procedure, of course, is BOTOX® injections, which last year accounted for a third of all cosmetic procedures performed in the United States. However, the most rapidly-growing non-surgical cosmetic procedure last year was hyaluronic acid injections, such as Restylane, which grew by a striking 59%.
People like the effectiveness of the treatment, reporting a high level of satisfaction overall, but lament the short lifespan of the results, which tend to last only six months, on average. Unlike Botox, which reconditions the muscles so that application frequency can be reduced over time, hyaluronic acid compounds must be injected regularly to maintain their effect, which is inconvenient and expensive over time.
However, just last year the FDA approved what promises to be a new “permanent” injectable filler. Its brand name is ArteFill, and its composition is unique. It consists of 80% Bovine collagen (with some lidocaine) and 20 % polymethylmethacrylate microspheres. Whereas the collagen is absorbed by the body like most injectable fillers, the microspheres cannot be absorbed and remain in place as a permanent matrix for indigenous tissue. Ideally, this means that, once injected, the results will last and last and last.
How long will they last? Well, nobody really knows because the product has not been in use for long enough to gauge its persistence, but the indications are that the results may be the longest-lasting of any injectable filler. If you’re interested in learning more about ArteFill, hyaluronic acid fillers, or any other nonsurgical cosmetic procedures, consult the website of the Ariana Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center, one of the pioneers in using this brand-new product, located in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Leave a Reply