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In this Article

• What are Collagen Injections?
• Why Do Lines Appear?
• Why Aren't Creams Containing Collagen Enough To Smooth Out Lines?
• How Do Collagen Injections Work?
• Other Injectable Fillers
• What Can I Expect?
• How Many Injections Will I Need?
• How Do I Find Out If Injections Are Right For Me?
• Collagen and Injectable Fillers Index
• Find a local Dermatologist in your town

How Do Collagen Injections Work?

Collagen injections replenishes the skin's natural collagen. The natural beauty of your skin is enhanced as the contour of the support structure is restored.

Zyderm and Zyplast are bovine derived collagen products that replace the collagen your skin loses over time. Zyderm and Zyplast collagen are placed just beneath the skin, in the dermis where the body readily accepts it as its own.

CosmoDerm and CosmoPlast are bioengineered human collagen products that are used for similar indications as Zyderm and Zyplast but have the advantage of not requiring a skin test prior to the first treatment.

Collagen should be injected into your skin only by a trained health care professional. By supplementing your skin's own collagen, collagen replacement therapy helps smooth facial lines as well as most types of scars.

Other Injectable Fillers

• Artecoll is a synthetic filler material. Because it's synthetic, you are at higher risk of having an allergic reaction to it than if you got an injection of collagen or fat, but it lasts much longer than those options.
• Autologen is an injection of your own collagen, extracted from another place on your body. There's no risk of allergic reaction, however, the results are only temporary. This may be good for people who aren't ready to commit to a permanent result.
• Dermalogen is collagen extracted from deceased human donors. It's also called injectable Human Tissue Matrix. This is also a temporary fix, but your body should not reject it.
• Fascia injections use a specific type of connective tissue harvested either from your own body or from a deceased human donor. It can be implanted surgically or injected. The main drawback is that within a year of injection, your body will reabsorb the fascia.
• Fat from your own thighs or abdomen can be also be injected. There's no risk of allergic reaction and you may achieve permanent results. This can also be implanted surgically.
• HylaForm is a material created from natural body substances. There's no risk of infection, but you will need repeated treatments to maintain the result as it's only a temporary fix.
• Restylane is a clear gel. It contains hyaluronic acid, which naturally occurs in humans, so there's little chance for an allergic reaction. It's biodegradable, so your body will absorb it within about six months of the injection.