Indiana Plastic Surgery Blog

The Anteis Injection System, an automated soft-tissue filler injection pen, was released in 2010 and is now being used for cosmetic injections by physicians in Europe.  The device was developed by Anteis S.A., a Swiss-based company that also manufactures and distributes the Injection System.

According to Anteis, the injection pen allows physicians to achieve more precise and consistent results with gel-based dermal filler injections because it electronically controls and regulates the volume of the filler as it is injected, as well as the injection speed as the filler is introduced into the dermis.  As a result, the Anteis Injection System also decreases physician muscle fatigue, making it physically easier to use than standard syringes.

In addition, the device is said to offer physicians improved handling, greater freedom of movement and increased opportunity to focus on ideal product placement rather than injection technique.

Physicians who use the Injection System have also reported improved patient outcomes marked by less pain during treatment, decreased social downtime and fewer and less severe side effects, such as bruising, swelling and redness after treatment.

According to Anteis, the Injection System is effective for all types of cosmetic injectable treatments, including:

• Wrinkle treatments
• Facial volume restoration and augmentation
• Treatment of skin depressions, such as cellulite

Although the Anteis Injection System is a promising innovation in cosmetic dermatology, it has not been appropriately tested or approved by the FDA and is not yet available in the U.S.

Additionally, the injection device was designed to work with Anteis-brand injectable fillers made of hyaluronic acid gel that are also not available in the U.S.  The Injection System has not been tested with other brands of hyaluronic acid fillers, such as Juvederm and Restylane, nor has it been tested with wrinkle-relaxing injectables, such as Botox.

If you’re considering non-surgical facial rejuvenation with injectable fillers, seek a skilled injector with superior injection technique and experience using a wide variety of injectable fillers.

Despite the obvious benefits of a dermal filler, the first question patients usually ask is “How much does it hurt?”

If it’s your first treatment, you might be surprised to learn that today, a number of injectable procedures can be done with little or no discomfort, thanks to local anesthetics that numb one or more areas of the face beforehand.

Lidocaine is the one most frequently used by plastic surgeons, and there’s no doubt it makes an injectable procedure easier for the patient.

Your dentist probably uses Lidocaine as a simple way to numb your mouth prior to performing dental work. Likewise cosmetic surgeons use it as local anesthetic for injections. Lidocaine blocks the pain signal sent by the nerve endings on the skin in response to injections of the dermal filler solution. Patients quickly feel the anesthetic taking effect, and numbness kicks in.

The benefits of Lidocaine for cosmetic injections

• Greatly reduces pain during injections into sensitive facial tissue
• Helps minimize swelling after injection, allowing better sculpting of treated areas
• Allows you to relax better during the procedure
• May eliminate the need for general anesthesia during more extensive procedures

Several of the new dermal fillers even come pre-mixed with Lidocaine, which is good news for those who want the procedures, but not the pain.

A survey conducted by researchers from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) has given us some insight about patients who choose wrinkle treatments. Researchers sent questionnaires last March to 687 patients who had received Botox and/or dermal filler treatment. 

The following statistics illustrate the opinions of the ‘typical’ patient. Who is the ‘typical’ patient?  According to surveyors, she’s “a married, working mother between 41-55 years of age with a household income of under $100,000.”

70 percent of the respondents claimed that Botox and dermal fillers play an important role in their cosmetic routine and about the same number of patients said they had combined the two.

When asked what their motivation was for pursuing Botox treatment, 34 percent said their appearance looked “stressed” or “angry”. Others said that a friend, family member, or their physician had recommended it, or they were preparing for a social event. 66 percent said they received Botox treatment 2-3 times per year. 72 percent of the respondents chose Botox to treat glabellar lines – the vertical lines that appear between your eyebrows.  

When asked about their motivation to use hyaluronic acid fillers, the majority (63 percent) of patients reported a desire to remove facial wrinkles and folds – mostly the nasolabial folds that travel from the nose to each side of the mouth.

A full summary of the results is available (in MS Word) here.

Indiana Plastic Surgery is pleased to announce a great special on Juvederm Injectable facial filler. Receive $100 rebate from Allergan, the makers of Juvederm, when you purchase a second syringe.

*2nd syringe must be administered at time of appointment.  Offer good through Feb 28, 2009.

To schedule your appointment please contact Indiana Plastic Surgery today through the website or call (219) 513-2100.

Indiana Plastic Surgery is now offering Juvederm™ brand non-invasive facial filler in Munster, IN. Juvederm™ is a smooth gel filler consisting of hyaluronic acid, a natural complex sugar substance that increases skin elasticity and provides a smooth supple appearance. It is inserted under the skin to instantly smooth lines on the sides of the nose and mouth. Juvederm™ is the next generation injectable gel dermal filler. The smooth consistency gel helps to instantly restore the skin’s volume and shape and smooth away wrinkles and folds like smile lines around your mouth.

Dr. David Robinson, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, can help you make an informed decision on using Juvederm.

Below are before and after images of patients who have have had Juvederm Injectable Filler.