Collagen

Collagen Injections

Collagen injections may help erase frown lines, "crow's feet" and nasolabial folds or smile lines. Collagen injections have been around for a while, but have decreased in popularity with the introduction of soft tissue fillers such as Restylane, which can last longer.

What Are Collagen Injections, and How Do They Work?

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.

Types of Collagen

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.

Ideal Candidates for Collagen Injections

Optimal candidates for collagen injections are typically between the ages of 35 and 60 with frown lines, "crow's feet" and nasolabial folds or smile lines.

People who should not receive collagen injections include those who are pregnant or nursing, people with allergies to cow products or lidocaine, or those with certain medical conditions such as autoimmune diseases.

The Collagen Injection Procedure

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.

Recovery After Collagen Injections

You may experience some minimal discomfort from the collagen injection. There may be some swelling and bruising, which typically subsides within 48 hours. The treated area may look red for the first 24 hours, and this may last up to a week.

You can go home shortly after the procedure. The results are immediate and become fully evident within one week. In some cases, the treated area may appear to be overfilled initially. However, this will dissipate soon after to produce a more natural-looking appearance. Results may be unpredictable, lasting from two to three months.

Complications and Risks of Collagen Injections

Complications from collagen fillers are typically minimal. Some possible complications include uneven texture of the skin, an allergic reaction, infection, abscess and scarring.

Alternative and Additional Treatments

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, which may be a better substitute for collagen. For more severe conditions, surgical procedures may be more appropriate, such as a Facelift, Brow Lift (forehead lift) and Eyelid Surgery (blepharoplasty).

Our doctor may recommend additional treatments for you to consider in conjunction with Collagen.

Consult with our Doctor about Collagen

If you are considering Collagen injection, you can consult with our doctor about your goals and expectations from the treatment.

Aesthetic Center Bangkok Hospital Phuket, we can help you, change your looks, change your image and change your life.

Related Keywords: collagen, of collagen, collagen type, lip collagen injections, collagen supplementation, collagen skin, collagen for skin, collagen and skin, collagen is, collagen injections, collagen c, with collagen, collagen i, type 1 collagen, collagen and elastin, marine collagen, collagen ii, collagen pro, collagen injection, collagen injection lips, collagen injection prices, collagen injection cost