Collagen Injections
Collagen Injections Related Terms:
Botox® Cosmetic, Collagen, Collagen, Cosmetic Surgery, Face Procedures, Hylaform, Injectable Fillers, Juvederm, Mesotherapy Skin, Plastic Surgery, Restylane, Skin Procedures, Wrinkle Treatment
As we grow older our face becomes more and more affected by sun, gravity and use of expression muscles (chewing, smiling, etc). Deep tissues lose the ability to maintain a young look and expression marks appear on our faces. Collagen injections can help you fill the defects and regain younger appearance. It can be used to fill expression folds, sunken cheeks, scars and lips. This procedure is not sufficient in treating deeper defects, such as multiple grooves around the mouse of heavy smokers. It can be held as an isolated treatment, or in combination with laser, facelift and botox treatments.
Collagen is a natural protein which provides support to various body parts, such as skin, joints, bones and tendons. The injected formula is manufactured from a purified collagen taken from pigs. The purification process creates material which is similar to human collagen. The FDA approved it in 1981, for injections at different sites such as face, neck, back and chest. It comes with different viscosity levels, according to the specific sites and the difference between patients. The preparation already consists of analgesics; therefore there is no need for sedation. Highly sensitive patients can be treated with superficial spays to minimize the pain.
Before the treatment you must test that you are not allergic to collagen (it takes 3-4 weeks between the test and the injection). During the treatment collagen is being injected using a small needle along the desired site. During the injections you may feel a burning sensation for a few minutes. Some of the formulas consists of salt water, which gradually absorbs. Therefore, the site may look swollen at first. After the treatment has finished, there may be small hemorrhages or some redness which usually disappears after 24 hours. With a few patients, especially those with bright skin color, the redness may last for a week.
Every procedure has its risks, depending on patient`s anatomy, the healing processes and various physiologic responses. The most common complication is an allergy to collagen. Other complications include infections, peeling of the skin, wounds and scaring. Those are relatively rare.
There is no need to bandage the site, and there are no limitations regarding food, drinking, make-up or sun exposure.
You must remember that the effect of the injection is only temporary. Due to their biological nature the injected materials are disassembled by your body. The duration of the effect depends on genetics, age, skin quality, life style and the area being filled.