Chestertown Cosmetic

Though increasingly being replaced by synthesised fillers, Collagen injections have been a favoured alternative for men and women wanting to avoid Botox treatment or even more intrusive surgery. So "let's take a look!

Collagen is a specialised protein that's manufactured by your body. You make around 25 different types for different purposes. It is fibrous in nature and acts to support tissues like skin, bone, muscles, vital organs and cartilage. It actually makes up around a quarter of the protein in your body and you would literally fall to bits without it!

Your skin has an outermost layer of dead cells called the epidermis which protects you from the outside environment and from unrestrained water loss. Below this is the dermis or living skin and it's where the majority of the action is. It contains blood vessels, hair follicles, nerves and sweat glands. Its main component though, is collagen protein. Collagen provides a fibrous network which acts as a support structure for your skin.

In young skin the collagen framework is resilient and elastic. Over time though, this structure and its elasticity weakens. Each facial expression you make "frowning, smiling, squinting, laughing, pursing lips and so on puts stress on your skin's collagen. Eventually the effect is cumulative and wrinkles, folds and sagging slowly develop. That is a good reason to grin more frequently than frown don't you think? Whichever you do most will eventually show by way of the wrinkle distribution on your face.

So what can we do about it? There are a multitude of "facelift without surgery" products on the market containing collagen and claiming to replenish your skin. Treat these claims with caution.

If applied to your skin as a component in moisturiser or other cream, collagen will have negligible effect. The collagen molecule is much too to be absorbed. It will never reach your dermis applied in this way.

Some collagen products are designed to be swallowed like vitamin capsules. The chance of ingested collagen surviving your digestive process intact and travelling through your bloodstream to the desired location is fairly remote. Again, treat such claims with suspicion.

Good diet accompanied by a healthy life-style will definitely make your skin look better in a matter of a couple of weeks but swallowing collagen capsules alone barely constitutes good nutrition.

Which leaves us with.injection.

Whereas a Botox injection acts by disabling nerves and thus paralysing muscles, collagen injections attempt to replace collagen lost in the aging process.

Collagen injections get though the skin barrier and insert collagen right where it is required. Correctly applied they can reduce frown lines, wrinkles, crow's feet and naso-labial folds.

Injectable collagen can come from a number of sources.

Bovine (cow) derived collagen eg Zyderm and Zyplast requires a prior skin test to guarantee you will not have an allergenic response once injected.

Bioengineered human collagen such as CosmoDerm and CosmoPlast has the advantage of not requiring a skin test before application

There are a considerable number of other injectable fillers either synthesised, sourced from your own body (for instance fat) or obtained from deceased human donors. Each has its own benefits and limitations. It is well worth performing a little research before choosing which best suits you.

Please, please consult trained and licensed professionals before undertaking this or any other invasive procedure. Your face is no place to have a disastrous result. It's rare but it's not a chance you need to take. The most commonly seen risks include infection and lumpiness from poorly applied filler. Lumps may require surgical removal with the chance of scar tissue remaining.

You will minimise these hazards by having injections given by an experienced doctor. She will use a tiny needle to inject the collagen or other filler where it is needed. Often multiple injections are required to treat a difficult area but the process generally takes under an hour.

You might experience bruising and swelling but this will commonly subside within 48 hours. You could have irritation for around a week but this often subsides much more quickly. The results are instantly noticeable but will be completely developed within a week as your skin settles down.

Depending on the kind of filler used and your body's reaction to it, results will last around 2 to 3 months at which time you can have more applied. Generally, manmade fillers will last a greater time than natural ones but also have a more significant rate of allergenic response.

The price of treatment will vary dependent on sort of filler used and the amount needed to produce the effect you are seeking but you can usually expect to pay in the vicinity of $500 per session.