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Collagen Injections

By: Patricia Woloch


This article was authored by a non-health professional.


Posted Thursday, January 03, 2008



To get a clear picture of how collagen helps our skin, we need an idea of how the skin is put together.

Collagen is a protein found throughout the body and is the most abundant protein found in mammals. It's a strong, fibrous substance and is a major component of bones, teeth, ligaments, and cartilage. From the skin's point of view, it's crucial for a youthful look. To get a clear picture of how it helps our skin, we need an idea of how the skin is put together.

Skin structure

Our skin is supported and kept smooth from below. It has three layers.

  1. On the surface is the epidermis, which continually replaces itself. Skin cells work their way upwards during their lifetime and after they reach the epidermis, they slough off. New cells rise up to replace them. Pigment cells in the epidermis set the skin color and protect against the sun's UV rays. Damage to the epidermis does not hurt and does not extend to the rest of the body.
  2. In the middle is the dermis, with many tiny structures: nerve endings, sweat glands, hair follicles, oil glands, and blood vessels. Damage to this layer will be felt because of the presence of nerve endings, and because of the blood vessels, a tiny infection here could enter the circulatory system and spread to other parts of the body. The dermis is where collagen does its work for skin support. It forms a matrix with elastin, a substance which makes skin flexible and able to bounce back after it is pulled or stretched. This matrix keeps the skin surface smooth and firm.
  3. The subcutaneous layer stores fat and contains many nerve endings and blood vessels.

Wrinkle formation

In a young person, the collagen and elastin matrix is intact, and the skin stays smooth and elastic. As we age, it gradually weakens and our skin loses its youthful tone. Using a lotion that contains collagen or elastin does no good because no lotion ingredients can penetrate to the dermis. Lotions help against water loss but do nothing for the skin's support.

Sun damage weakens the collagen matrix, adding to what aging does. And wrinkles have other causes too: repeated facial expressions, poor skin care, and the continual pull of gravity. But regardless of what exactly has caused most of your wrinkles, having a firm collagen matrix in the dermal layer is central to having smooth skin.

How collagen injections work

They replenish the natural collagen. In the immediate area where they are injected, they place a reinforcement in the matrix, immediately smoothing the skin's appearance. They work well on fine lines, deeper wrinkles, and shallow scars. They are especially effective around the mouth, on the laugh lines and nasolabial creases.

Allergy testing no longer needed

Until recently, an allergy test was needed before a collagen injection. Older forms of injectable collagen were derived from cattle - bovine collagen. No such testing is necessary now as current forms of injectable collagen are bioengineered human collagen, which means the body will not reject them.

Collagen Injections - The procedure

Your cosmetic surgeon will advise you as to which supplements and medicines to avoid before your treatment. A local anesthetic is mixed with the collagen to minimize discomfort and most people report no need for any pain medication afterwards. The injections take just a few minutes and results last up to six months. Slowly the body reabsorbs the injected collagen, but injections can be repeated.

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The first step would be to consult with an experienced cosmetic surgeon to see if you would be a good candidate, and to discuss which exact injection locations would be best for you. There are also many other types of injectable filler available, and perhaps one of those would be a better option. We are all individuals when it comes to facial rejuvenation.

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