COLLAGEN

What is collagen?

Collagen is a protein that forms the majority of the dermis, the layer which lies just beneath the just beneath the epidermis, your outer layer of skin.

Collagen forms a network of fibers that provides a framework for the growth of cells and blood vessels. As the primary component of the dermis, collagen acts as the support structure for your skin.

When your skin is young, the collagen framework is intact, keeping your skin elastic. Over time, the collagen framework weakens and your skin loses elasticity. Older skin is less resilient, so the facial lines that appear with a smile or frown do not disappear when you stop smiling or frowning.

How can collagen fillers and/or implants help me?

Collagen replacement replenishes the skin's natural collagen support layer, smoothing facial lines and most types of scars. The filler pushes the depressed wrinkle outward and makes it less visible. This is effective because the body commonly accepts them as its own. Collagen injections produce an immediately visible difference in the appearance of your skin.

What are my options for a collagen injection?

There are a few different types of collagen available. These vary in price and procedure. Dr. Cheski will discuss these options with you and together you can determine which injectable is the best for you.

• Bovine collagen
• Extracted from cow skin, then purified, sterilized, and processed into liquid form.
• Autologen
• Collagen from your own skin, harvested during a previous operation and processed into liquid form.
• Isolagen
• Collagen from your own skin, cloned in a laboratory and processed into liquid form.
• Dermalogen
• Collagen from human cadaver skin which has been sterilized, purified, and processed into liquid form.

What are the risks of having a collagen injection?

Any collagen that is of bovine origin may cause allergic reactions in some patients. It is required that all patients receiving bovine collagen injections undergo a collagen test six weeks prior to injection.

Risks not necessarily related to allergies include:

• Infection
• Abscesses
• Open sores
• Skin peeling
• Scarring
• Lumpiness

Any of these may persist over the treated area, however reports of these problems are very rare.

What results can I expect from a Collagen injection?

Having a collagen injection is a proven, non-surgical treatment simple enough to be completed during your lunch hour.

Dr. Cheski will review with you your medical history, the risks and benefits of treatment and the specific areas you want treated. Collagen injections may not be appropriate for certain lines and scars, or in the presence of certain medical conditions. For most people, it is a safe, convenient and immediate way to treat lines and wrinkles.

Just like natural collagen, injectable collagen loses its form and wears down. Ongoing treatments are required to maintain the improvements achieved with collagen replacement therapy.

^top