Say Goodbye to Scars
By Liz Bruckner Released in Canada in 1998, the filler Artecoll is becoming a staple in surgical skin-care offices nationwide. According to dermatologist Dr. Alain Dansereau, who has used Artecoll in his Montreal practice since it became available, its popularity is due to long-term correction without any downtime. “Since introducing this treatment to my patients, I’ve seen the change it can make in people’s lives,” says Dansereau. “Patients who walk in hiding their faces walk out smiling with a whole new sense of self-assuredness.” And the esteem-boosting treatment is gaining popularity. Since Artecoll’s introduction, it has become increasingly in-demand, with both men and women, as one of the most effective methods for treating acne scars. Why? Because it provides scar sufferers with quick, relatively painless long-lasting results, says Dansereau.
What it is, how it works
Used for years in bone repair and dental restoration because of its ability to mesh with the body and induce collagen production, Artecoll is made up of three main ingredients: inert microspheres, calf collagen and a small dose of anesthetic (responsible for making the procedure
less painful than other treatment options). After an initial allergy test is performed, the procedure is split into two or three visits. On the first, an Artecoll syringe is carefully inserted at the scar site to
fill the defect. It immediately begins bonding to the skin’s connective tissue and stimulates the production of the patient’s own collagen around the injected microspheres. The body will usually produce a 60 to 70 percent correction after two to three months. On the second visit, a touch-up is done to optimize the initial correction, and scars are further stretched and smoothed to look their best.
When combined with nonaggressive yellow laser treatment (VBeam) or IPL photomodulation—a service Dansereau provides in combination with Artecoll—the collagen growth is sped up and further improved, allowing for better results and little to no downtime.
Take Note
• If you don’t experience your desired results right away, don’t worry—it can take up to three months for Artecoll to take full effect. During this time, new skin growth is given a boost and an invisible lining starts to form around the scar until the tissue has set, evening out any less-than-smooth areas.
• While this treatment will work on most acne scars to a certain degree, depressed, pliable scars that flatten out when stretched are the best candidates. Speak to your doctor before attempting to treat chicken pox scars—they are very difficult to correct.
• Each syringe of Artecoll averages $750. The number of syringes necessary is determined on your first consultation when an allergy test is done.
• You may experience slight redness, itching or pain that usually subsides after a few days. Bruising can also occur but should disappear within the first week.
• Although the chance is minute, some people may experience a group of small lumps or nodules below the skin at the injection site. If this happens, most of
the lumps will disappear spontaneously but, if problems persist, see your doctor who can level them with an injection of cortisone.
• If you have an autoimmune disease, are on cortisone or Accutane, or are allergic to animal collagen, speak to your doctor about other treatment options.
Editorial Source:
• Dr. Alain Dansereau, Clinique Dermato-Esthétique,
450-470-1177, www.drdansereau.com
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