A new breakthrough for the aging face is now available. You have used wrinkle creams that promise to take away lines- renova, prevage, or another cream. You have seen an improvement. Perhaps you had injections- Restylane, Collagen or another filler and been pleased with the results. A few months later the fillers lose their effect and they do not last as long. Where once one tube of filler improved your lines, now you need two. Unfortunately after a few years; Restylane, Hylaform or the newer fillers such as Juvaderm will do less because the tissue is looser. If only there was a safe non-surgical alternative. Now there is.

Cosmetic facial injections started in the early 1980s with the introduction of bovine collagen. Cow skin was specially treated to make an FDA approved cosmetic filler which could raise facial areas for about 6 months. An allergy test was performed on the arm to make sure that, the patient did not develop an allergic reaction.

Eventually, 2 allergies tests became recommended, two weeks apart. Collagen in the form of Zyderm and Zyplast was the only filler for almost 20 years. Then about 4 years ago a new group of fillers were introduced. These fillers were made of hyularonic acid. Quickly the most popular became Restylane. After Restylane, Hylaform, Captigue and Juvederm were introduced.

Healthy skin has an abundance of two important substances, collagen, and hyularonic acid that keep it looking smooth. Collagen provides structural support and hyaluronic acid a natural sugar found in all living cells attracts and binds water, collagen and hylraonic acid diminish with time and the skin loses structure and volume and wrinkles appear.

Restylane, Juvederm, Hylaform and Captique are hyaluronic acid fillers.Let us look at each one which replace your own.

All of these Hyularonic fillers can improve your appearance. Most common areas injected are the fold between the nose and the lip, the nasolabial fold and the line between the lip and chin- marionette lines. Depending on your age and skin condition 1,2 or more tubes are injected to lift up areas to smooth the contour and improve your appearance. Side effects are uncommon and temporary-bruising or a few days of swelling. Rarely, a localized reaction can cause a bump. Because the body chews up these fillers bumping resolves. Ideally, these fillers last about 6 months. As you age 6 months becomes 5 and then 4 months or less. What we need is a longer acting cost effective filler.

Restalyne is a natural cosmetic filler restores volume and fullness to the skin to correct moderate to severe facial folds, such as the lines from the nose to the corners of the mouth. Restylane is made from non-animal based hyaluronic acid. Hyularonic acid is a natural substance that already exists in the human body and is used to provide volume and fullness to the skin. Restylane is crystal clear. Unlike rooster- derived hyaluronic acid-based products. Restylane is free from animal products. This limits the risk of animal based disease or allergic reactions. Restylane has been used since 1996. After treatment, there may be redness or swelling which lasts less than 7 days. Sunbathing and cold outdoor activities should be avoided until redness disappears. Restlyane has been used in over 4 million treatments worldwide.

Hyulaform is a highly purified from of hylauronic acid. Hylaform has been used for almost 10 years. Hylan can be used to fill smile lines, small lines above the lip, frown lines between the eyes and minimize creases that turn down the corners of the mouth. Side effects are mild and swelling and redness are less than Restylane. Hylaform is packaged at 0.75cc, a smaller tube than Restylane and last 4-6 months.

Captique is another non animal stabilized hyaluronic acid. It tends to cause less swelling and bruising than Restylane. Captique was approved in 2004. Captique is a softer filler which can be used to treat different areas such as crowsfeet and vertical lip lines. The treatment typically lasts 4-6 months Captique costs up to 1,000 per treated area.

Juvederm is the latest hyaluronic acid filler from Allergan who also manufactures Hylaform, Captique,Cosmoderm, and Collagen (Zyderm) Almost 90% in a study, preferred Juvederm to other fillers. Juvederm is the first FDA approved hyduronic acid filler that is proven safe and effective for persons of color. Juvederm is available as Juvederm Ultra and Juvederm Ultra Plus. Juvederm Ultra Plus is more robust for adding volume and correcting deeper folds and wrinkles.

Juvederm employs a unique manufacturing process to provide the highest concentration of cross-linked hyaluronic acid. This creates a smooth consistency that flows easily. Other hyaluronic acid fillers are made of granular gels. Juvaderm lasts about 6 months.

Juvederm
Hylaform
Captigne

And along came Radiesse

Radiesse is a FDA approved filler, that lasts longer. It corrects smile lines and wrinkles around the mouth. It is made of unique calcium based microspheres (small beads) suspended in a natural gel. Tiny calcium microspheres from saffold to support and stimulate the growth of your own collagen. Over time the microspheres break down. Radiesse tubes are larger than hyaluronic acid fillers and fill the area equivalent to 1:5 to almost 2 tubes of hyaluronic acid fillers.

Results vary but results are longer lasting than Restylane, Hylan, and Juvederm.

It is excellent for the nose to lip area, and the area below the lip (marionette lines). About 9 months or longer corrections are achievable but over time the time length of correction may shorten to less, 8,7, or even occasionally only 6 months with subsequent treatments as the skin becomes looser and less able to maintain its correction.

Is there a safe long term filler? YES. FINALLY there is ARTEFILL.

Artefill is the first only FDA- approved long term injectable wrinkle filler. Artefill offers immediate results with a in-office procedure. Results improve over the course of several months, and it requires 1 or 2 treatments ONLY.

Artefill contains 20% tiny round and smooth particles (PMMA) and 80% purified cow collagen gel with lidocaine, an anesthetic. It is a dual-acting filler. It visibly corrects the wrinkle. Then the microspheres provide the PERMANENT support your skin needs for long lasting wrinkle correction. Artefill does not require frequent repeat injections. The unique microspheres are not absorbed by the body. The microspheres provide permanent support your skin needs for long lasting correction. Where the results or temporary fillers end, the long lasting benefits of Artefill continues.

Artes Medical, the manufacturer of Artefill conducted 2 studies to demonstrate to the FDA the safety and effectiveness of Artefill. Artefill was as safe as collagen injections. There were no severe side effects in the ARTEFILL group while the control group with collagen has 10 severe side effects. Artefill maintained its effect while the collagen lost its effect.
Is Artefill safe?

Yes. Artefill is approved by the FDA as safe and effective. A skin test is required to make sure you are not allergic to the bovine collagen or anesthetic in Artefill. As with any injectable wrinkle filler, you can expect mild swelling and reddening at the treatment site. These side effects are usually gone within 24 hours. Occasionally there is mild brusing that disappears in 3 to 7 days.

Most people get results with 1 or 2 treatments. The follow-up is 4 to 6 weeks. With Artefill progressive enhancement you can tailor your treatment program to meet your individual needs. This personalized approach helps to ensure that you get the look you desire.

Is Artefill expensive?

Artefill is more expensive than other fillers but after one year, ARTEFILL costs less in MONEY and TIME. You are done, no more fillers for the folds between the nost and mouth or marionette lines something even surgery can not offer. Typically Restylane may require 2 tubes or more every 6 months which can cost 2,400 year or more;ARTEFILL which lasts at least 5 years cost typically 2,100 for the folds (marionette lines would cost about another 1,000).

After 1 year ARTEFILL is cheaper. No more visits and no more injections.

Can any doctor inject ARTEFILL? No ARTES has restricted the number of dermatologists and plastic surgeons to experienced injectors. They must undergo a multi-step training program to qualify. In the NY area in Feb, 2007 only 35 doctors qualify.

2,100 is expensive?

Other offices will be charging as much as $3,600 for the same treatment, a fraction of the cost of a facelift.

Contact the office of Dr. Morris Westfried, a board certified dermatologist. Dr. Westfried is a national known expert. He is a graduate of Yale Medical School, who was chief of Skin Cancer at NY Medical College. He is a fellow of the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery. He is featured in Castle and Connolly's Hot to Pick the Best Doctors in NY Edition and has been featured in national publications- Wall Street Journal,NY Times, Essence, Self, Ebony, and Womens Wears Daily. He has appeared nationally and locally on radio stations and has consulted for Prof. Alan Desorwitz of Harvard Law School in Nevada v Murphy, Photomedex Laser ,RA medical lasers, Dusa Pharmaceuticals, Current Technology and Dartmouth Pharmarceuticals.

Schedule your intial consultation by email or phone.
Email to drwest2670@aol.com your name,address, and phone number
or call 212 532-4037 Le Cachet Skin Care Spa 39 East 30th NYC or for Brooklyn 718-837-9004. Remember you owe yourself a youthful image, a look that will last for years.