Fillers

An injection that banishes wrinkles for life, it sounds too good to be true. But there are some experts who believe that the new so-called ‘permanent filler’ can do just that. "It's not good stuff," said Dr Richard Ellenbogen, a Los Angeles cosmetic plastic surgeon, who says he won't offer the new filler. "It's very tricky to use," he said. "It causes granulomas, those unsightly bumps, in the lips and nasolabial folds."Though there are doctors who differ on these fillers.

There are some physicians look on ArteFill as one more valued tool to banish wrinkles. "If it is placed properly, there are no granulomas," said Dr.Marian Northington, an assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

She noted that other fillers entail risks for bumpy skin scars, too.She and Ellenbogen offered up differing views on ArteFill after the injection became the hot topic at the recent annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology, in San Diego.

Banishing wrinkles with so-called "soft tissue fillers" such as Restylane or collagen can be a high-maintenance, expensive proposition. Even the longest lasting fillers typically dissipate after six months to a year or so, warranting another trip to the cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist.

Doctors attending the AAD were clearly divided when it came to ArteFill. Some said they'd use it liberally, while others said they won't touch the stuff because the risk of bad results isn't worth it.

Log on: www.Plastic Surgery Institute Of California.com