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Cosmetic Surgery Reference Articles
New Products
Artecoll
Artecoll is a product that has been used widely
in Europe for several years. Since 1989, approximately 150,000 people worldwide have
had Artecoll injections for fine wrinkles and lines about the mouth, as well as augmenting
the lips and erasing lines between the eyes.
Artecoll is unique in that it is a permanent filler material that does not require
ongoing repeated injections. The basis of Artecoll's success is that it is made up
of homogeneous polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) microspheres. PMMA is found in dental
prostheses and has been used to replace missing bone and fixate synthetic joints.
Its permanence sustains the effect of the injections.
The well-known substance collagen is used as the medium in which Artecoll is injected.
An Artecoll injection consists, therefore, of 75% collagen and 25% of the PMMA microspheres.
After the injection a person's body absorbs the collagen carrier during a period
of one to three months. Following this, the Artecoll serves to act as a stimulus
for production of one's own collagen. The absorption rate of collagen from the original
injection is the same as the rate of new collagen formation.
After completion of the remodeling process, which is 3-6 months, the augmentation
area consists of about 75% of one's own collagen and 25% of the PMMA microspheres.
Artecoll does contain an anesthetic, lidocaine hydrochloride, which allows for a
less painful injection.
As with any collagen product, the remote chance of inflammation (which is self-limiting)
occurs in one in every 10,000 injections.
Artecoll has not been approved yet by the FDA at this time but is scheduled for approval
in the summer of 2003.
For further information please contact Dr. Kahn via email at drkahn@yourpersonalbest.com,
or phone us at 1-800-564-6645 (Bay Area) or 1-415-567-6673.
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