Are you ready to restore your natural beauty?

ArteSense™ is a same-day treatment that can smooth wrinkles, correct irregularities of the nose, enhance and restore the fullness of your lips, and correct scars caused by acne and other conditions.  Results from ArteSense™ treatment are considered permanent;  unlike some other procedures, there’s no need for ongoing “maintenance” treatments.

Dr. Kevin Smith has admistered over 1,800 syringes of Artecoll™ , ArteSense™ and Artefill™ since 2001, and has taught across Canada, in the United States, and overseas on best practices for the successful use of Artecoll™ /ArteSense™ and Artefill™.

Click on the headings below to learn more about ArteSense™.

1. What is ArteSense™?
2. What is the difference between ArteSense™ and BOTOX^®?
3. How much does ArteSense™ cost?
4. How does ArteSense™ work?
5. What does ArteSense™ treatment feel like?
6. Am I "vain"?
7. How long does the ArteSense™ implant last?
8. Is ArteSense™ safe?
9. Who should not have ArteSense™ treatments?
10. Can I still get a face-lift or other surgery after having ArteSense™ treatment?
11. Can ArteSense™ be used during pregnancy?
12. Pre-treatment instructions
13. Post-treatment instructions

1.  What is ArteSense™?

ArteSense™ is an injectable implant used for the long-lasting correction of wrinkles and other skin depressions. ArteSense™ is composed of ultra fine particles of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) which are suspended in a collagen solution. The PMMA in ArteSense™ and Artefill™ is made to the same FDA specifications.

PMMA has been used by doctors for over 60 years in such common procedures as dental prostheses, eye lenses, bone repair, orthopedics and in pacemakers. PMMA is used because it is very safe and does not cause allergic reactions.

ArteSense™ and Artecoll™ have been used with more than 400,000 medical and aesthetic patients over the last 10 years. ArteSense™ was originally marketed in Europe and Canada under the trade name Artecoll™.

“Unlike collagen and hyaluronic acid, ArteSense™ maintains its cosmetic results for years.” 

Artecoll™has been improved several times over the past ten years, and the name has been changed to ArteSense™ to recognize this evolution. An essentially identical product has been marketed in the United States under the trade name Artefill™since January 2007.

Dr. Kevin Smith has used over 1,800 syringes with Artecoll™ and ArteSense™ and has taught across Canada, in the United States, and overseas on best practices for the successful use of Artecoll™/ArteSense™ and Artefill™.

Treatment is often done in several sessions 3-4 months apart, spreading the cost over a longer period of time and giving you fine control over your final result.  Results are considered permanent; there's no need to continually repeat treatment as with some other procedures. This can reduce your long-term costs. 

With ArteSense™, there's more you can do:

• Fill folds and wrinkles on the face, primarily around the nose and mouth (including depressed corners of the mouth) and fill in lines and creases on the forehead
• Enhance and restore the fulness of your lips
• Correct irregularities of the nose
• Correct scars caused by acne and other conditions

2.  What is the difference between ArteSense™ and BOTOX^®?

BOTOX^® relaxes the muscles responsible for creating many facial lines and unwanted facial expressions.  Fillers like ArteSense™, Perlane™, Restylane™, Juvéderm™ and other products fill creases, lips, cheekbones, and also defects like acne scars.  

Sometimes BOTOX^® is used in combination with ArteSense™ when treating certain areas where permanent deep lines have resulted from overactivity of the muscles, for example some frown lines on the lower forehead or wrinkles around the lips.

3.  How much does ArteSense™ cost?

In Canada, ArteSense™ is not expensive; however there is a cost involved. Many cosmetic treatments were once considered a luxury item only for those who had a high disposable income. ArteSense™ is very affordable even for those with modest incomes, but some people need to budget for it just as they would for buying clothing and having their hair styled.

ArteSense™costs $675 per syringe.

You might typically use a total of one or two syringes of ArteSense™ (one to start with and perhaps another in 3 or 4 months) to enhance your lips, or to soften and fill in your nasolabial folds or forehead lines.

The improvement is gradual, allowing you to control the rate and degree of correction.  The cost is spread out over a long period of time, so ArteSense™ treatment should be easy on you, and easy on your budget.

Because the improvement is not sudden, people are likely to notice that you are looking better, but they will probably not know why your appearance is improving as time goes on (unless you share your secret with them!)

4.  How does ArteSense™ work?

After ArteSense™ is injected, the collagen in which the PMMA particles are suspended is absorbed by your body over a period of about 4 weeks. During this time, there may appear to be some loss of the correction in the treated skin folds, wrinkles and scars.

The ultra fine particles of PMMA in ArteSense™ stimulate your skin to produce its own natural collagen, which is laid down around the PMMA particles during the 3 or 4 months after ArteSense™ is injected. The long-term correction volume is usually around 50% of the injected volume. 

This produces the final permanent and natural correction which you desire. While the effect is permanent, it will take a few months before the full effect of treatment is apparent, and usually several treatments are required to obtain the results you desire.

5.  What does ArteSense™ treatment feel like?

Dr. Smith has pioneered the use of ice to prevent discomfort when doing ArteSense™ treatments, and has taught this technique to other physicians at meetings across Canada and in the United States. Patients are very pleased that Dr. Smith can take good care of them without having to administer local anesthetic.

ArteSense™ treatment is simple, easy and virtually pain-free.

During your ArteSense™treatment, Dr. Smith will make a series of tiny injections under your skin's surface.  ArteSense™fills the gaps, raising your skin to its natural height.  Some minor smoothing may be done immediately after the injection. The procedure is done for you by Dr. Smith personally, in his office.

During the 3 or 4 months after your ArteSense™ treatment, your body will lay down its own natural collagen around the ArteSense™ particles, producing the long-lasting correction you desire.

You may have another ArteSense™ treatment in the same area after 2-4 months if you desire additional correction. 

 

6.  Am I "vain"?

Many people considering ArteSense™ treatment for wrinkles, lip augmentation or scarring experience fears and doubts. A common concern is that they are being vain. My experience has been that just about all patients who have ArteSense™, Perlane™, Restylane™, laser hair removal, Botox^® treatment, and other procedures to maintain their appearance and comfort are no more vain than anyone else. What does distinguish these individuals is a desire to get the most out of life, and to look as good as they feel.

Taking good care of your physical appearance is not a fault. After all, would you leave your house with broken gutters or peeling paint? Why do less for your body? I think you should feel proud of yourself for having the will and the ability to change something that you find unacceptable. I emphasize that you should only have ArteSense™ and other treatments if it is for you. It is a big mistake to do these things if it is just for somebody else.

The same self-confidence that makes our patients successful in their chosen fields, precise in their consultation questions, well groomed and dressed, and often careful in their diet, exercise, and other aspects of health maintenance leads many of our patients to seek help for their wrinkles and frown lines.

These individuals are normal healthy people, and the same degree of self-interest that prompts them to exercise, be selective in what they eat and drink, and protect themselves from sun damage leads them to explore the benefits of ArteSense™. Our patients simply want to look their best.

7.  How long does the ArteSense™ implant last?

Unlike collagen (which lasts 3-6 months) or hyaluronic acid (which lasts 6-12 months), the benefits of ArteSense™ treatment should be visible for at least five years or longer, depending on the location of the treatment and the nature of your skin. The implant will remain for the rest of your life.

ArteSense™ does not stop time. With sun damage and because of the natural aging process new wrinkles may appear close to the site of the original implant, or existing wrinkles may gradually become deeper as time goes on. These wrinkles and skin folds can be treated with ArteSense™ in the future if you desire.

In some areas (for example, the forehead and upper lip) BOTOX^® treatments are often used to reduce unwanted muscle movement and in this way complement the effect of the ArteSense™ treatment in those areas.

“The benefits of ArteSense™ treatment should be visible for at least 5 years or longer.”

8.  Is ArteSense™ safe?

Yes, ArteSense™ is extremely safe. More than one hundred thousand men and women in all age groups around the world have been successfully treated with ArteSense™ since 1989. Studies show that the vast majority of them were so happy with their results they would be willing to have the treatment again. 

There have been no reports of rejection of the PMMA microspheres. PMMA has been used since the early 1930’s in dental prostheses, and since 1947, when the first hip prosthesis was introduced. Many scientific articles on bone repair have mentioned the chemical inertness and biocompatibility of PMMA.

Less than one person in a thousand has an allergic reaction to ArteSense™. The collagen molecules have been specially processed to minimize the risk of allergic reaction.  Skin tests are not required, and treatment can be done on the same day as your consultation.

Rarely, if the injection is made close to the surface of the skin, the implant may appear as a light colored area. If this color difference persists, the ArteSense™ can be removed.

In less than one case in a thousand, there can be excessive production of collagen and connective tissue in the treated area. If this happens, the area affected can be injected with the anti-inflammatory medication Kenalog, or may be removed by excision.

Possible side effects include swelling, redness, slight bruising and moderate discomfort for a few days after injection. Sometimes there can be slight itching at the implantation site for several days.

9.  Who should not have ArteSense™ treatments?

• People who are allergic to collagen or bovine products
• People who are genuinely allergic to lidocaine (this is very rare)
• People who have severe rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or dermatomyositis
• People who tend to make enlarged scars (keloids)
• People who have thin, loose skin in the area to be treated
• People who have unrealistic expectations (as with any treatment, you need to have an accurate understanding of the likely benefits and risks of ArteSense™ treatment.)

10.  Can I still get a face-lift or other surgery after having ArteSense™ treatment?

Yes, a face-lift can be performed after an ArteSense™ implantation. The skin on the face is thick enough to prevent the implants from becoming visible after a face-lift. ArteSense™ should not be used in thin, loose skin.

It is possible that an implant in thin skin will be visible after a face-lift. ArteSense™ treatments can sometimes reduce or eliminate the need for a face-lift or other surgery, or can delay the need for repeated surgery.

Treatment with BOTOX^® and lasers can also be done before or after ArteSense™ treatment.

11.  Can ArteSense™ be used during pregnancy?

There is no technical or medical reason why ArteSense™ could not be used during pregnancy, but because one’s appearance often changes considerably during pregnancy it is generally better to wait until after the baby is born before using products like ArteSense™ which are intended to produce long-lasting improvement.

12.  Pre-treatment instructions

It’s good to pamper yourself on treatment day! If you have a nice big breakfast or lunch and an extra glass of water before you come in for treatment, you will be more comfortable.

Many patients like to take a couple of plain Tylenol before treatment (similar to what you might do before having a flu shot) to prevent discomfort. As a practical matter, bruising is seldom a major problem after ArteSense™ treatment.

The chance of bruising can be reduced by minimizing your consumption of ASA, alcohol and Vitamin E for 3 days before treatment.

Please wear no makeup or makeup that is easy to remove, so that Dr. Smith can clearly see the area to be treated. You can bring makeup with you, and you may apply your makeup immediately after treatment.

13.  Post-treatment instructions

After ArteSense™ treatment, there is occasionally some pain, swelling, itching or redness at the site of injection — similar to what you might experience after any injection. It is uncommon for people to have any problems after ArteSense™ treatment.

You may take a couple of plain Tylenol several times a day to reduce swelling and discomfort. Cold compresses or ice packs can also be used to reduce any swelling, itching or discomfort.

Redness may last for 1 or 2 days, occasionally longer in some patients. Until the initial swelling and redness have resolved, do not expose the treated area to intense heat (e.g. hot packs or sunbathing), or to intense cold. 

In order to allow the implant to stabilize, try to avoid excessive movement of your facial muscles in the treated areas for the next few days, and in particular during the first 12 hours after your ArteSense™ treatment.

The implant may feel somewhat firm at first; however, it will soften over time as your body produces its own natural collagen and connective tissue. As time goes on, you may be able to feel the ArteSense™ implant under your skin because you know where to find it, but the only thing other people should be aware of is the long-lasting improvement in your appearance.