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What causes wrinkles?
The way your skin looks is directly related to the way your skin is supported. collagen is actually part of the natural support structure of your skin. Wrinkles form when this natural collagen layer thins during the course of aging. Other factors that weaken the collagen fibers include exposure to the environment, disease, injury, heredity and lifestyle.
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What are Dermal Fillers?
Sunlight, natural aging and lifestyle factors can diminish the collagen layer that supports the skin. And where this collagen layer diminishes, unwelcome lines and wrinkles may appear. These unwelcome lines and wrinkles are often injected with fillers under the surface of the skin to fill them in, temporarily restoring a smoother more youthful appearance, by replacing the damaged collagen. These produces injected into the dermis of the skin are called "dermal fillers".
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What is collagen?
collagen is a natural protein that provides structural support. It is found through out the body in skin, muscle, tendons, and bone. Fibers of collagen are woven together like threads in fabric to form a frame-work into which new cells can grow. In the skin, collagen provides texture, resiliency, and shape.
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What Dermal fillers are currently approved by the FDA?
Zyderm and Zyplast collagen have been approved by the FDA and used safely, as a dermal filler for the treatment of fine lines and wrinkles over the past twenty five years. Recently, CosmoDerm and CosmoPlast, produced and manufactured by the same company, have also been approved by the FDA for use as a dermal filler.
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What is the difference between Zyderm & Zyplast, CosmoDerm
& CosmoPlast?
The collagen in human skin is very similar to the collagen found in certain animals. As a result animal collagen has many medical applications. Zyderm and Zyplast collagen are made of highly purified bovine collagen.
CosmoDerm and CosmPlast are made from human collagen, which has been purified from human dermal skin grown under controlled laboratory conditions.
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How is collagen different than Botox® Cosmetic?
Botox Cosmetic is a protein that is injected into muscles to relax them, smoothing lines and wrinkles caused by repeated facial movements. In contrast, collagen is injected below a wrinkle, scar or depression in order to “fill” it from the inside out, smoothing the surface of the skin. Many physicians use both Botox and collagen together to restore a smoother, more youthful appearance.
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Is skin testing required before I can receive collagen?
Based on a clinical study conducted by Allergan a pre-treatment skin test is not required.
Before treatment with Zyderm or Zyplast collagen, a skin test, injecting a small amount of collagen into your forearm, below the skins surface, will be required. The test site must than be observed for four weeks for any signs of sensitivity. Treatment can begin after the four week test observation period if you are not sensitive to the skin test.
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Who can receive collagen?
Collagen Replacement Therapy® with FDA approved CosmoDerm or CosmoPlast
can now be safely administered to everyone not allergic to lidocaine,
with out pre-treatment skin testing, who is seeking to add definition
to the lip boarder or smooth telltale lines and wrinkles.
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Who can inject collagen?
collagen can be injected by a licensed physician or a collagen Specialist, who is a qualified health care professional, such a registered nurse or physicians assistant, educated in all aspects of Collagen Replacement Therapy® and expertly trained to proficiently inject collagen under the direct supervision of a licensed physician.
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What can I expect after a treatment with collagen?
Most patients feel comfortable in resuming their normal activities following treatment. You are free to eat, drink, or wear makeup with sun block protection shortly after treatment. There may be some temporary swelling and redness in the treated area which should resolve in a day or two.
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Are collagen injections painful?
Collagen is injected using a specially designed fine needle. A topical anesthetic is often applied to the area prior to treatment. Zyderm, Zyplast, CosmoDerm, and CosmoPlast contain a small amount of lidocaine that helps to numb the area temporarily, and most people report that the injections are relatively painless.
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How can I find a physician that offers Collagen Replacement
Therapy®?
You can find a physician on www.lookingyourbest.ca by clicking on FIND
A DOCTOR at the top right of the homepage and then entering your postal
code for a listing within a 25 mile radius. You can obtain additional
information about the physician, such as phone number and biography, by
clicking on the physician photo.
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What are the risks related to collagen?
When administrated by a qualified injector, complications are infrequent and usually minor. Risks not necessarily related to allergies (Zyderm & Zyplast) include infection, skin peeling, and lumpiness which may persist over the treated area. Reports of these problems are very rare.
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What areas can be treated with collagen?
The most common areas treated are the naso-labial folds (sides of the nose), frown lines, depressed scars, fine lines around the mouth, and most frequently to add a fuller more sensuous look to the lips.
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Can I have more than one area treated at the same time?
Yes, more than one area can safely be injected at the same time.
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Can I return to work following a collagen treatment?
The swelling and redness that may appear immediately after treatment are only slightly noticeable, they usually subside within a half hour, and most patients are able to return to work immediately following treatment without embarrassment.
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How frequently will I have to have my collagen treatment repeated?
Collagen’s longevity depends on the patient’s lifestyle and physical characteristics
as well as the area treated. In general, the treatment results with collagen
are immediate and last from 3-6 months. Touche up treatments are advised
to maintain maximum corrections. Your injection specialist can help you
determine how long you can go between treatments. But keep in mind the
amount of collagen used to restore full correction will be considerably
less than that used in the initial treatment. You may be surprised at
the pleasing results that can be gained by maintaining your Collagen Replacement
Therapy®.
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Do collagen treatments take the place of surgical procedures?
Collagen Replacement Therapy®
treatments are not meant for people requiring facial surgery but are used
very successfully in conjunction with surgery to enhance surgical results.
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How will my skin look if I do not maintain my collagen treatments?
Treatment results are immediate and typically last 3-6months, the collagen is gradually absorbed by the body and your face returns to its original contours.
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