I am one of many unfortunate victims of an injectible filler called Artecoll. I have been left with lumps (plexiglass beads) in my lips and face that are permanent and will never go away. Artecoll has not been sold in Canada since mid-2009 and is considered a recall by Health Canada. The product has had a handful of names, the current one being Artesense, but it is the same product, a combination of bovine collagen and plexiglass beads.

Late granulomatous reactions, i.e. raised, red and inflamed areas (granulomas), resulting in permanent lumps in the injection sites. THIS LATE ONSET REACTION OCCURS APPROX. 2+ YRS AFTER INJECTIONS, AND HEALTH CANADA APPROVED THE PRODUCT WITH INADEQUATE TWO-YEAR FOLLOW-UP STUDY! The FDA (the US) took six years longer to approve Artecoll, and did a FIVE year follow-up, with conditions that it only be used as an implant, such as in the nasolabial folds, and STATED THAT INJECTION FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE WAS ILLEGAL. Even so, women lined up around the block to have it put into their lips or wherever, and doctors since then, including nonspecialists, have been happily profiting. Unfortunately, anyone injected, whether they have a negative reaction short-term, or 2+ yrs later, they (you?) will ALL have plexiglass beads in their faces for life. Those who react negatively, whether soon or delayed, will be left to suffer disfigurement, lumps and potential scarring for the rest of their lives.

The manufacturer of this lovely product, now called Artesense, is called Rofil and is located in the Netherlands (hm?). The owner of the company was charged in the past with injecting people illegally (google Artecoll lawsuit lemperle), has now disassociated himself from the company and is just a stockholder.

If you know of anyone whose face has been ruined by Artecoll, Artefill, Arteplast, Artesense (and whatever next name they come up with for the same dangerous product), then please post here and also PM me, whether they were injected in the US or in Canada.

Ask for a filler that isn't permanent. If you did your research, you'll find the best plastic surgeons will NOT use Artesense.

There are more respected fillers which break down in time, without significant risk of a lumpy, disfigured face for life.

Hello,
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Hello,

Thanks for sharing your experience.  I have also been struggling with granulomas on my face that appeared several years later.  I have been trying to treat them for the past 4 yrs + and although they have subsided somewhat I am left with some scarring and visible granulomas on my cheek ( the product must have travelled from my naso labial to my cheek!) and nasolabial and forehead.

I got ALOT of Artecoll done about 10 yrs ago and the doctor also mixed it with Dermalive.  I am told that should not have happened by the head doctor at the same clinic I received the Artecoll and that this was a lethal ****tail! The clinic treated me for 3 yrs with injections and finally they refred me to another doctor who was the 'specialist in Quebec for these types of reactions.  I have been treating the granulomas for the past year with Kenalog injections and although it has improved, I am also left with a hole -crater type scar on my cheek where the Kenalog was also used.  I wanted to get this fixed by small surgery that the same Doctor  who injected me with Kenalog had proposed.  He kept changing his opinion on wether we should or should not touch it.  Today, this Doctor has told me that he feels the risks are too high and the I should be happy with the results I presently have since this is going to be as good as it gets.  He has also informed me that the granulomas may or may not grow causing further disfiguration in the future.

I am quite chagrined by this latest diagnosis and wonder if I should consider a lawsuit for misuse of the prodcucts by the clinic where I had these done and perhaps malpractice.  I live in the province of Quebec and I am not sure how to go about this and if it is even worthwhile. 

I feel something should be done since it has caused me a great deal of concern, grief and has affected my self confidence over the years.  I did not anticipate that I would look worse when getting these injections, I sincerely felt that I would look and feel much better! 

Thought I would share my story on the thread so people could be informed and warned of potential risks. Ask alot of questions to your Doctor about the new products and potential side effects.  I think I was misinformed and never lead to believe that these fillers could or would cause me this much grief!

lumpyface4ever

I am one of many unfortunate victims of an injectible filler called Artecoll. I have been left with lumps (plexiglass beads) in my lips and face that are permanent and will never go away. Artecoll has not been sold in Canada since mid-2009 and is considered a recall by Health Canada. The product has had a handful of names, the current one being Artesense, but it is the same product, a combination of bovine collagen and plexiglass beads.

Late granulomatous reactions, i.e. raised, red and inflamed areas (granulomas), resulting in permanent lumps in the injection sites. THIS LATE ONSET REACTION OCCURS APPROX. 2+ YRS AFTER INJECTIONS, AND HEALTH CANADA APPROVED THE PRODUCT WITH INADEQUATE TWO-YEAR FOLLOW-UP STUDY! The FDA (the US) took six years longer to approve Artecoll, and did a FIVE year follow-up, with conditions that it only be used as an implant, such as in the nasolabial folds, and STATED THAT INJECTION FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE WAS ILLEGAL. Even so, women lined up around the block to have it put into their lips or wherever, and doctors since then, including nonspecialists, have been happily profiting. Unfortunately, anyone injected, whether they have a negative reaction short-term, or 2+ yrs later, they (you?) will ALL have plexiglass beads in their faces for life. Those who react negatively, whether soon or delayed, will be left to suffer disfigurement, lumps and potential scarring for the rest of their lives.

The manufacturer of this lovely product, now called Artesense, is called Rofil and is located in the Netherlands (hm?). The owner of the company was charged in the past with injecting people illegally (google Artecoll lawsuit lemperle), has now disassociated himself from the company and is just a stockholder.

If you know of anyone whose face has been ruined by Artecoll, Artefill, Arteplast, Artesense (and whatever next name they come up with for the same dangerous product), then please post here and also PM me, whether they were injected in the US or in Canada.

Ask for a filler that isn't permanent. If you did your research, you'll find the best plastic surgeons will NOT use Artesense.

There are more respected fillers which break down in time, without significant risk of a lumpy, disfigured face for life.

Hello again!

I received your private message but somehow unable to send you a pvt message.

Please note my email is kreuzberg72@hotmail.com. You may send me a message and I will respond back to you!