Collagen

Collagen Injections

(Artefill, Cosmoplast/Cosmoderm, Zyderm/ Zyplast, etc.)

Class: Soft tissue fillers

Collagen's cosmetic uses: Collagen injections are commonly used for lip augmentation. They can also be used to treat crow's feet, wrinkles and laugh lines, and to add volume to sunken areas of the face. Some facial plastic surgeons are using collagen fillers for liquid nose jobs. The first collagen-based injectable was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1981. In recent years, hyaluronic-acid based soft tissue fillers have usurped collagen's popularity.

Mode of action: Collagen is the protein that gives skin its firmness and elasticity. Our natural collagen supply decreases with age, but collagen injections may help restore and replenish this supply and fill facial folds. Some newer fillers, like Radiesse, stimulate your body's natural collagen production.

Results: Results vary with the different types of collagen injections. Artefill is permanent. The effects of Cosmoderm, Cosmoplast, Zyderm and Zyplast last for two to four months. Some results are visible almost immediately and full effects can be seen within one week.

Collagen Caution: Do not panic if you look "overfilled" right after your collagen injections. This is common and short-lived. Your results will gradually look more natural.

Collagen Injection Side Effects: Allergy alert! Cow-based collagen products (Zyderm and Zyplast) require allergy testing. Artefill, a hybrid gel filler consisting of millions of synthetic microspheres (polymethylmethacrylate, or PMMA) suspended in purified cow collagen, is also on this list. There is no allergy test required for Cosmoderm or Cosmoplast, which are human-based collagen injections.

Other possible complications include:

  • Uneven skin texture
  • Infection
  • Lumps, bumps
  • Scarring
  • Skin death (necrosis)

Collagen Injection Cost: About $300 to $1,000 per syringe, depending on the type of collagen filler you choose and the size and depth of the treated area(s).

Injection Pain (1-5 scale, with 5 being the most pain): 3

Your facial plastic surgeon will numb the area first, minimizing any injection pain. Artefill is formulated with lidocaine.

Other Collagen-based options: Autologen is collagen from your own skin that is harvested and processed into liquid form. Dermalogen is taken from human cadaver skin, sterilized, purified and processed into liquid form.