| Dr. Benjamin Hsu is Board certified in both Internal Medicine and Dermatology. Here the Doctor has answered some of the common questions Bizymoms visitors have about Collagen treatment.
Q. How does the Collagen treatment work?
Collagen injections are used to "fill" the creases, folds, and wrinkles, mainly around the mouth. The injections make the lines softer and smoother. Zyderm and Zyplast are derived from a bovine source and were the first brands used. Later, CosmoDerm and CosmoPlast became available and are derived from human fibroblasts.
Q. How long does the collagen treatment procedure take?
The procedure takes about 10 to 20 minutes, depending on how much is injected.
Q. What are the side effects of using the collagen treatment
Complications include an allergic reaction to the collagen, lumpiness, temporary bruising, and very rarely injection of collagen into a small blood vessel.
Q. How long does the effects of the collagen treatment last
The improvement lasts about 3 to 6 months.
Q. How effective is the collagen treatment?
Patients see the improvement right away and there is very little "downtime."
Q. What can the collagen treatment be used for?
Over the years, we have been using more of the newer fillers such as hyaluronic acid (e.g. Restylane, Perlane) and calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse). These products are injected deeper into the skin and have a longer duration, about 5 - 12 months. We use these fillers when there is a need for more volume enhancement. A common practice is to use a product like Perlane or Radiesse for deep folds and also a collagen product for very fine lines around the lips.
Q. What will be the cost of the treatment?
Depending on the type and amount of filler used, average costs can be $400 - $800 per treatment session. |
