THE TREATMENT OF WRINKLES USING ARTECOLL AND THE CO2-LASER

In general, all biological materials are resorbed in places where they do not belong. Therefore, artificial substances have to be implanted under deep skin folds and skin defects in order to achieve a permanent skin augmentation. Artecoll, a suspension of polymethylmetacrylate (P MMA)-microspheres in collagen solution, has been proven, for more than 5 years, to underlay wrinkles effectively without noticeable side-eff ects. Small wrinkles around the eyes, the mouth and cheeks, however, h ave to be treated by dermabrasion, chemical peel or vaporization by CO 2-laser. Using all three methods, the effectiveness depends on the dep th of skin traumatisation. Resurfacing using the CO2-laser has the adv antage of absolute precision, no bleeding, less swelling and faster he aling - but still high costs.