Collagen
Collagen is a key element that keeps our skin looking young and smooth. Every time you smile or frown, squint or pucker up, you put stress on the underlying collagen in the skin, which results in the development of facial lines. Collagen is depleted naturally as you age, leaving many yearning for the plump and youthful skin they remember. Collagen Replacement Therapy offers immediate and dramatic results for those unhappy with the early signs of aging. It is a non-surgical method to smooth out facial lines and wrinkles, plump up lips, and fill in scars. The results produced are immediately noticeable and leave you with refreshed and more youthful looking skin.

What Is Collagen?
Collagen is a natural protein found throughout the body that supplies structure to skin, muscle, tendon, and bone. Collagen fibers are woven like threads to form a supportive foundation and enhance the contours of outer layers of skin. The collagen in certain animals closely resembles natural human collagen, and thus has many medical applications, including surgical sutures and heart valves. Injectable collagen is purified bovine dermal collagen, which is developed into Zyderm and Zyplast. Since the early Seventies, more than one million people globally have benefited from Collagen Replacement Therapy.

Who are candidates?
Injectable collagen is not intended for people who have excessive facial skin or who need major resurfacing of their skin. It can, however, be used as an adjunct to these procedures or to fill in depressions that cannot be eliminated by face-lifts or other cosmetic treatments. During your consultation, a collagen skin test will be administered. If your skin does not display sensitivity after 30 days, then the replacement therapy can commence. Of the men and women tested, 98% show no reaction to the skin test. People who have a history of certain allergies, various auto immune diseases or are pregnant cannot be considered candidates.

What is involved in collagen treatments?
First, a consultation is set up to determine if Collagen Replacement Therapy is an option to achieve your favored results. Sensitivity to the material is determined by examination of your medical history and a skin test. When all factors are deemed acceptable your treatment will be performed. Periodic Collagen Replacement Treatments may be required to maintain your desired look.

How long does collagen last?
Collagen Replacement Therapy is temporary, with results from the first treatment normally lasting from 2 to 5 months. Eventually the collagen material is absorbed into the body and metabolized. Successive treatments are recommended to maintain optimal results.

How will I look and feel immediately after treatment?
Most patients resume normal activities following treatment. The treated area may be subject to temporary puffiness, which diminishes over a few days, and slight redness that subsides almost immediately. The area surrounding the mouth may feel slightly tender for a day or two. Within a few days, the material softens, blends and gradually is incorporated into your own skin and takes on the natural look and feel of healthy skin tissue. Depending on the area where collagen is injected, lips look fuller, lines are filled in, and overall the face looks more youthful.

What are the benefits of collagen injections?
You will notice a reduction of frown or laugh lines, deep smile lines, lip lines, and worry lines. Crow's feet and facial scars will be greatly minimized. Experience the thrill of fuller upper and lower lips.