Collagen
Collagen injectable fillers have been used for cosmetic soft tissue augmentation for decades. Collagen injectables can be made from bovine, porcine or human collagen and include the following popular brands:
Bovine-derived collagen:
- Zyderm
- Zyplast
Human-derived collagen:
- Cosmoderm
- Cosmoplast
- Cymetra
Porcine-derived collagen:
- Evolence (removed from market Nov. 2009)
- Fibrel
Are you a candidate for collagen injections?
Collagen injections are typically recommended for adult patients aged 18-65 years interested in facial rejuvenation. Collagen fillers are indicated for many of the same conditions as hyaluronic acid fillers, including:
- Wrinkles and facial folds
- Poorly defined or thin lips
- Scars and acne scars
During consultation, Dr. Ljung will review your medical history and assess your overall health before recommending collagen injections as a treatment option for you. If you are seeking treatment with collagen injections derived from bovine or porcine sources, you will also need to undergo a skin test to determine whether you are allergic to collagen before injections are performed.
How collagen injections work
Collagen is a naturally occurring protein that keeps your skin supple and elastic. When collagen injections are delivered beneath the skin’s surface, it temporarily replenishes your natural supply of collagen, plumping the skin and replacing lost volume.
Collagen injection results usually last three to five months before they dissipate, and additional injections must be performed to maintain results. There is no downtime after collagen injections, so normal activities may be continued immediately following treatment, however it is best to wait at least 24 hours before covering collagen injection sites with makeup.
Collagen injection side effects
Allergic reaction is one of the most common collagen injection side effects, so a skin test should be performed before your injectable filler treatment to ensure you are not allergic to collagen. Human-derived collagen fillers do not require a skin test, however porcine- and bovine-derived collagen fillers do.
Collagen typically causes less post-injection redness, swelling and bruising than hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvederm and Restylane, but these temporary side effects usually only last a few days.
Additionally, because collagen is colorless, these injectables do not run the risk of creating a Tyndall Effect, or bluish skin tint, as hyaluronic acid fillers do if they are injected too close to the surface of the skin.
Potential collagen side effects also include formation of lumps and bumps, and less commonly, infection, necrosis or ulceration, and it is important to note than unlike hyaluronic acid fillers, collagen injections cannot be dissolved with hyaluronidase or any other product.
Collagen lip injections
Although hyaluronic acid fillers have largely replaced collagen lip injections due to their reversibility and the fact that they are hypoallergenic, collagen is still sometimes used for lip augmentation.
If you decide to seek collagen lip injections, it is important to note that while bovine- and human-derived collagen injectables are safe for lip enhancement, porcine-derived collagen injectables are not and should never be used to augment the lips.
