ArteFill is a dermal filler that will be injected under the skin and doesn’t involve surgery. This procedure is often chosen because it is a non invasive treatment, but there are also other similar treatments that don’t involve the use of a scalpel. These treatments will have similar effects, leaving the face with a fresh appearance and an improved contour.
Hyaluronic Acid Dermal Fillers
The first alternative option to ArteFill may be the hyaluronic acid based dermal fillers, which are considered more effective and less risky than the ArteFill treatment. The hyaluronic acid is a compound that bonds with the water molecules under the skin and will fill the creases and paths, also giving a more defined contour.
Just like ArteFill, the hyaluronic dermal fillers may also be used to add volume to certain areas such as the lips. Popular dermal fillers that are based on hyaluronic acid include:
- Juvederm®
- Prevelle Silk
- Restylane
- Perlane
These are very similar, but will differ in the size of the injectible particles. The largest particles of hyaluronic acid are found in the Perlane treatment. The treatment with the largest sized particles is the one that will require the most downtime and may also cause more dramatic side effects (i.e. redness, swelling and larger puncture wounds). However, regardless of the size of the injectible particles, the downtime will be minimal. On average, the dermal fillers based on hyaluronic acid will last for 6 to 12 months.
Collagen Dermal Fillers
ArteFill is a collagen based dermal filler. In addition to ArteFill, there are other dermal fillers that may use porcine collagen, bovine collagen or synthetically created human collagen. Zyderm is an example of dermal filler using bovine collagen.
Cosmoderm employs synthetically made human collagen. The synthetically created human collagen and the porcine collagen based treatments are considered more effective and more durable, so are more frequently used than the bovine fillers. However, compared to the hyaluronic acid dermal fillers, the collagen based fillers are less durable and have more disadvantages. Collagen fillers may be less expensive than hyaluronic acid fillers. On average, the durability of a collagen based dermal filler treatment is between 3 and 6 months.
BOTOX®
BOTOX® is also an injectible treatment, just like ArteFill, but the way BOTOX® acts is different. The treatment involves the use of botulinum toxin, which will have an effect on the facial muscles and will make them numb for a few months, reducing the dynamic wrinkling. Typically, BOTOX® is used in conjunction with another cosmetic treatment that will also fill the wrinkles or improve the texture of the skin.
Liquid Facelift
A liquid facelift is a non invasive alternative to a traditional face lift and may have similar results as the ArteFill dermal filler injections. However, the effects of the liquid face lift may be more durable. The cost of the liquid face lift treatment is much higher than the cost of a few ArteFill injections.
