If you've ever wondered what gives jello its flexibile, resilient texture, you might be surprised to learn that it's partly collagen, the same protein that gives resilience to your skin. According to Collagen.org, this important structural protein comprises more than 80 percent of human skin. Factors like aging and sun damage deplete the skin's collagen supply, leading to loss of skin elasticity and wrinkles. There are various treatments designed to replenish the body's collagen for a more youthful appearance.
Injections
One common approach to collagen treatment is to inject it into the skin as a dermal filler. According to plasticsurgery.org, the doctor may use collagen culled from an animal or human source, or a combination of the two. These injections are administered at the site of wrinkles. Some people also seek out collagen injections to plump thinning lips, which also may occur with age. The injections themselves take only minutes, sometimes seconds, with minimal recovery time.
Effects and Duration
The effects of collagen injections are not permanent; according to plasticsurgery.org, they usually will begin to fade after about three months, at which time you can opt to have another treatment. After you have had collagen injections and the normal initial swelling goes down, you can generally expect to see a smoothing of deep wrinkles and a plumping of facial hollows. It usually takes about 24 hours for the swelling to go down. The results usually appear natural and undetectable.
Risks
Although serious adverse effects are uncommon with collagen injections, there is sometimes risk of allergic reaction, especially in the case of animal-derived collagen. Your doctor may address this by giving you an allergy test beforehand. If you are prone to cold sores, there is a risk of outbreak when injections are given in or near the lips. While some swelling and bruising is normal initially, you should call your doctor if you see prolonged swelling, lumps or scarring.
History
According to skintypesolutions.com, the first injectable bovine collagen filler, Zyderm I, was developed in 1977 and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1981. By 1985, the FDA had also cleared two similar bovine collagen fillers, Zyderm II and Zyplast. Human-derived collagen fillers did not become available until 2003, when the FDA approved CosmoDerm I, CosmoDerm II and CosmoPlast. These fillers, harvested from human donors, were developed as alternatives to bovine fillers for those prone to allergic reactions.
A Permanent Solution?
In addition, there is now one FDA-approved bovine collagen filler, ArteFill, which advertises permanent results. According to FDA.gov, ArteFill is designed to fill lines around the nose and mouth, called nasolabial folds. Most patients will need more than one treatment to attain the desired results; the FDA cites 2.28 treatments as average. ArteFill is not appropriate for use on lips, and like other bovine fillers, it is not recommended for those with significant allergic sensitivity.
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