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.