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The effects of
aging, sun exposure, facial muscle movements,
smoking and the effects of gravity all contribute
to the loss of a youthful face. Fine lines,
wrinkles, crows feet and smile lines all "mask"
the once youthful appearance of the face.
The aging process can't be completely avoided,
but it can be reduced and concealed for a
period of time. Soft-tissue fillers such as
collagen injections can fill in the lines
and creases temporarily to restore a smoother,
younger looking face. |
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The Consultation
You will need to have two
skin tests in a 1-month period (2-weeks apart), to determine
if you are eligible for treatment with collagen. Some
patients may have an allergic reaction to collagen injections,
even with two normal skin tests. When an allergic reaction
occurs, it consists of red, ugly, tender lumps which
can ulcerate and cause permanent scars. Most of the
time the lumps will slowly disappear over a period of
months. Allergic reactions occur in approximately 2
out of 100 people who receive collagen injections.
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The Treatment
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Post-Treatment
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Small amounts of the collagen are injected directly
into areas where the body's own collagen has been
weakened, thus raising the depressions to the
level of the surrounding skin. In this way, lines
and scars can be minimized, texture is improved,
and the skin has a softer and more even tone.
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Collagen injection results may not be readily
apparent due to swelling or bruising of the recipient
sites. You will be advised to avoid sun contact
until the swelling and bruising are gone. You
should wear a sun block or makeup with sun block
in it following your procedure to help maintain
its longevity.
Collagen is gradually absorbed, and its effects
last only about two to three months, sometimes
less.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
What is collagen?
Collagen is a natural protein
that nature uses as a building block. It is found throughout
the body -- in the skin, muscle, tendons and bones --
providing texture, resilience and shape.
Collagen in human skin is very similar to collagen found
in certain animals. Animal collagen has been used in
sutures for over a century. Heart valves used during
surgery are made of collagen.
Injectable collagen was first used to treat patients
in 1976. The collagen has been purified so thoroughly
that it can be used to replace lost skin tissue and
to fill in depressions and wrinkles.
For which uses is Collagen
Replacement Therapy recommended?
Collagen Corporation began
marketing its Zyderm I Collagen in 1981 for correction
of facial contour deformities, including scars and wrinkles.
The product line was extended in 1983 to include Zyderm
II Collagen and again in 1985 with Zyplast Collagen.
Is injectable collagen recommended
for lip treatments?
Injectable Collagen is used
around the edge of the lips for smoothing vertical lines
above the upper lip, often referred to as "smoker's
lines." Collagen is also used to replenish the
natural border of the lip which gradually wears away
with age. Collagen treatments directly into the lip
are not a recommended use for injectable collagen.
How safe is Collagen Replacement
Therapy?
Collagen Replacement Therapy
has been clinically proven safe for treatment of facial
wrinkles, scars and contour deformities. However, it,
like all medical procedures, carries risk. Before injectable
collagen came on the market in 1981, clinical trials
over two years involving more than 5,000 patients were
conducted. Since then, more than 750,000 people in 28
countries have been treated with collagen injections,
including more than 500,000 in North America.
Injectable collagen has been extensively
researched by physicians and scientists, with more than
200 scientific papers published concerning product safety,
technique, usage and effectiveness.
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Collagen injection
