Collagen Injections

Collagen is the main protein found in connective tissue. It supports the skin, bone, cartilage and blood vessels. Collagen composes up to 80 percent of the skin. Its role is to maintain the skin's integrity, but collagen breaks down with advancing age. The breakdown of collagen during the aging process can lead to wrinkles, lines and folds. Collagen injections replenish the skin's natural collagen. Several types of Collagen fillers are on the market. For example, collagen fillers containing human collagen include CosmoDerm and Cosmoplast. Cow (bovine) collagen fillers include Zyderm and Zyplast. ArteFill is a hybrid gel filler consisting of millions of synthetic microspheres (polymethylmethacrylate or PMMA) suspended in purified bovine (cow) collagen.

Zyderm and Zyplast do require a skin test prior to the first treatment because of the risk of allergic reaction in some people. Collagen injections are typically performed in the doctor's office. They are most often performed without anesthesia, although the collagen filler itself contains lidocaine, which is a local anesthetic. Collagen is injected with a tiny needle into the skin depressions. Several injections may be needed, depending on the length and depth of the wrinkle. The procedure takes less than an hour.

The points of injection are "scored" by the doctor with a pencil. Your doctor may select numerous injection points for each location slated for treatment. Antiseptic is also applied. Your doctor will then decide on the correct amount of collagen to be used. The collagen filler is injected into the marked points beneath the skin. Complications from collagen fillers are typically minimal. Some possible complications include uneven texture of the skin, an allergic reaction, infection, abscess and scarring.

While collagen is a good option, it is always a good idea to investigate alternative treatments. Other minimally invasive procedures include Botox, which may be complementary to collagen, or Restylane, which may be a better substitute for collagen. For more severe conditions, surgical procedures may be more appropriate, such as a facelift, forehead lift (brow lift) and blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery). Your doctor may recommend additional treatments for you to consider in conjunction with collagen, such as a chemical peel, laser skin resurfacing, or microdermabrasion.