A new facial filler that provides long-lasting results may be the answer for those who want to permanently erase signs of aging. 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has completed their evaluation of Artefill, which would be the first permanent facial wrinkle filler approved in the United States. The FDA is expected to make their final decision in the next few months.

Artefill is made of tiny spheres of polymethyl methacrylate used in Plexiglas and is blended with purified bovine collagen. The material is injected under the skin with a syringe to fill in lines around the eyes and mouth. Preliminary studies of the filler have shown the product stimulates collagen growth in the body, filling in wrinkles.

“Artefill is a unique kind of tissue engineering feat, I think, in some ways because in many ways Artefill is only 20 percent of the solution, and the way the body’s own tissue reacts to this filler is the other 80 percent,” said Dr. Steven Cohen, a plastic surgeon in San Diego.

While Artefill has been available for some time in Europe, it is understandable why the FDA has taken the time and effort necessary to fully study the effects of the filler since the results are permanent.

“When you start talking about anything permanent, you start talking about something that could also be a permanent problem,” Dr. Cohen said. However, Cohen believes that more products like Artefill will be created in the future. “This, perhaps, represents the beginning of a more scientific approach to simply filling a space but developing products that cause the body to react in such a manner that produce the desired effect.”

Like with all other facial wrinkle fillers, patients may experience some slight side effects such as redness and bruising in the injected areas. Furthermore, some patients may develop lumps on the face, which can be treated with steroids drugs.