The newest more permanent injectable filler, ArteFill, for facial lines and folds is taking a throwback from history. Its use requires a pre-injection skin test due to its bovine (cow) collagen content. This is what the original collagen injections, Zyderm and Zyplast, required when they were the only injectable filler available from 1981 to 2000.
Unlike the original collagen injections, ArteFill is not solely collagen but contains a significant percentage of plastic beads which occupies about 20% of what is actually injected. The rest is the collagen which must have a higher ratio than the beads so that the beads will flow smoothly out of a very small needle. While the beads are permanent, the carrier collagen is not.
The purpose of the skin test is to make sure that you are not allergic to bovine collagen. From prior collagen injection experience, we know that about 5 – 6% of the population will get an allergic raection to it is. Better to know that in a small area in your forearm first before putting much more of the material into your face.
The skin test is done like a TB test on the inside of your forearm. The test takes 4 weeks before you can be injected with ArteFill. The test is positive of any amount of redness or swelling develops during this 4 week waiting period. If there is any doubt about whether a positive recation is seen, then a second skin test is done and another 4 week waiting period is needed.
While some patients may find the need for a skin test annoying, it is an absolute necessity if one is to get the benefits of the longer-lasting injectable filler ArteFill.
Dr Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana