The majority of surgical procedures, including chemical peels and laser resurfacing, aim to remove the outer layers of the skin, encouraging the growth of new collagen, which eventually fills in wrinkles. Filling in the wrinkles with an injectable substance like fat or collagen is the opposite strategy. This fills in the imperfections giving the skin a smoother appearance.
Bovine collagen is the filler that is used the most. Before using it, a skin test is required because there is a possibility of allergic reactions. In addition to synthetic fillers, bioengineered collagen products that are non-allergic and do not require a skin test are now available. A transplant of your collagen or even fat removed during a mini-liposuction procedure prior to injection is another option.
The collagen product will typically be injected directly beneath the skin’s surface using a local anesthetic. The treated areas may experience some swelling or bruising.
The collagen infusion reestablishes the skin’s regular collagen and your skin will look more youthful as it finishes up.
Injectable collagen, like your own natural collagen, will eventually begin to degrade and require replacement. The treatment may need to be repeated several times a year. However, if the fat was injected into other fat-rich areas of the face, it tends to last much longer and may cause permanent results.
A new product is being developed that is intended to produce new collagen as needed, according to a Harvard Medical School report. It is called “Isolagen” and involves cloning collagen-producing fibroblasts from a sample of your skin. The long-term effects of this new procedure are still unknown.
Anyone who has ever watched movies or television knows what happens when these procedures are done too much. Excessive collagen injections led to the lips of a number of famous actresses looking like Bozo the Clown. Be open with your doctor about the outcomes you hope to achieve and ensure that he or she is knowledgeable about this procedure.
If done correctly, the results should be undetectable and natural-looking, giving you a new weapon against facial wrinkles.
This article is only for your information. It does not claim to provide medical guidance. If you’re interested in any of these procedures, talk to a trained doctor.
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