Type of Surgery

Captique - A New Type of Dermal Filler

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Last updated: 10/02/2009

Facial wrinkles are one of the most obvious signs of aging. For social, emotional, and fiscal reasons, people want to appear younger, if possible. Captique is dermal filler that can be quickly and relatively painlessly injected under the skin to fill in facial lines and wrinkles. Captique offers some advantages over other dermal fillers and may be the filler of choice in select patients.
 
Temporary versus permanent
 
Dermal fillers are divided into two categories - the temporary ones, which are absorbable for the body and offer short term benefits and the so-called permanent fillers. Permanent fillers, such as silicone oil, are not reabsorbed by the body and surgeons have reported complications with most permanent fillers (Artefill may be an exception). Nearly 40% of plastic surgeons in a survey saw between one and three patients within a year who had complications with permanent fillers. Temporary substances, on the other hand, can be absorbed by the body over time. While they do not last as long as permanent fillers, temporary dermal fillers, like Captique, are associated with fewer and less severe side effects.
 
 
What happens in a Captique filler procedure?
 
Captique filler injections are performed in the same way as other dermal filler procedures. Local anesthetic creams and ice are used to reduce sensation in the area to be injected and sometimes the Captique itself is mixed with lidocaine, a local anesthetic, to reduce discomfort. The treatment takes around 40 minutes and the affects are immediate. On average, temporary fillers last between six months and one year and Captique will last from six to nine months in optimal conditions.
 
What is Captique like compared to other dermal fillers?
 
Captique is one of the hyalouronic acid dermal fillers, but unlike Hylaform, Juvederm and others, it is derived from bacteria. This means that bacteria have been genetically altered to produce and excrete large amounts of hyaluronic acid. Because of this process, Captique is hypoallergenic and has a mid-range lifespan. Fillers like Juvederm and Restylane often last only 3 to 6 months and have a shorter active lifespan than Captique. Captique is indicated to correct wrinkling that is moderate to severe and does not require pretreatment skin testing. This hypoallergenic or nonallergic property lends itself to use in patients with high likelihood of allergic reaction. Just like other dermal fillers, though, complications can arise even with temporary substances when the injecting is done outside a doctor's office setting, or by someone other than the physician.
 
Combination with other products and procedures
 
Captique's consistency and compatibility with people and products has led to it being used in conjunction with other dermal fillers, such Juvederm. It is also used in conjunction with botulinum toxin type A or BOTOX. When the muscles that are causing deep furrows and wrinkles are relaxed through botulinum toxin paralysis and is combined with the filling properties of Captique, the result is often a dramatically younger appearing face, even if for only half a year.

Last Updated: 10/02/2009

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