Collagen FAQs

Collagen treatments are a popular cosmetic method for smoothing out facial lines and wrinkles and augmenting the lips. Learn more about collagen treatments by reading the answers to these frequently asked questions.

What is collagen treatment?

Collagen treatment is used to combat the signs of aging by smoothing facial lines and wrinkles. Natural collagen, a protein found in the skin, cartilage, bone, and tendons, breaks down and dissipates over time, causing the skin to wrinkle and sag. Collagen injections can fill in wrinkles and fine lines, and can be used to augment the lips and other areas of the face for more dramatic cosmetic changes.

Am I a candidate for collagen treatment?

Your cosmetic physician will help you determine if you are a candidate for collagen treatment during your initial consultation. Generally, good collagen treatment candidates are physically and mentally healthy and have realistic goals for cosmetic enhancement with collagen.

Those who are not ideal candidates include:

• Pregnant women
• Patients with allergies to certain components of collagen
• Patients suffering from a disease of the autoimmune system

** Patients with allergies to lidocaine may not be able to receive topical anesthetic at the injection sites

Typically, a detailed evaluation and an allergy test (for collagen treatments using animal proteins) will be given during your consultation in order to determine your candidacy.

How does collagen compare to Restylane® and other fillers?

While collagen is a dermal filler based on either naturally occurring animal or human collagen, Restylane® and other fillers such as Perlane®, Captique™, and Juvederm® are made of a biodegradable hyaluronic acid. Because hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance and does not require an allergy test, it is sometimes used as an alternative to bovine- collagen products. Restylane® and other dermal fillers such as Fascian®, Sculptra®, and Dermalive®/Dermadeep® are effective options for rejuvenating the face by eliminating facial lines and wrinkles.

What is the average price of collagen treatment?

The typical price for a bovine collagen injection is about $250 per injection. Advanced, human-based collagen products such as Isolagen average $1,500 per injection. Collagen treatment prices vary according to how many injections are performed, as well as the area of the country in which the patient is seeking treatment. Also, collagen injection cost may be different if the patient is having other cosmetic procedures performed in combination with collagen treatment.

Are collagen injections painful?

Generally, pain associated with collagen injections is minimal. Treatments on the lips or around the nose can cause some discomfort. Some types of collagen fillers contain lidocaine, which can help to numb the treatment area. Also, for patients particularly sensitive to pain, a topical anesthetic can be used to numb the injection site as part of the collagen treatment process.

What types of collagen fillers are available?

The two basic types of collagen fillers are:

• Bovine – purified collagen from cow skin; Zyderm® and Zyplast® are common brands available
• Human – natural collagen from human skin. Some sub-types of human collagen are:
  • Autologen – liquefied collagen taken from your own skin during a previous operation
  • Isolagen – liquefied collagen that has been cloned from a skin sample taken from you
  • Dermalogen – liquefied and sterilized collagen from a deceased human tissue donor.

Human-based collagen fillers such as Cosmoderm™ and Cosmoplast™ are among many popular, FDA-approved fillers. Since these are composed of naturally occurring collagen that is supplied by the human body, there is no need for an allergy test prior to treatment.

How long will the results of collagen treatment last?

Collagen treatments can last from six weeks to six months or more, depending upon the type of collagen treatment you receive. Bovine collagen injections use animal-based collagen, and cosmetic results tend to have a shorter duration than those of human-based collagen fillers. However, human-based collagen treatments tend to cost more. The type of collagen treatment you have will ultimately be decided by you and your physician after your initial consultation and an allergy test, if a test is necessary. Bear in mind that the results of collagen treatments are not permanent, and follow-up treatments will be necessary to maintain their aesthetic benefit.

Are collagen injections safe?

Collagen injections are an FDA-approved cosmetic treatment, They have been used safely and effectively for aesthetic enhancement since the 1980s. To ensure your safety, your physician should provide you with detailed information during the initial consultation, examine your medical history carefully, and perform allergy tests, if necessary, to minimize any complications associated with collagen treatment.

Consult a Physician in Your Area

For more information on collagen treatments and other injectable dermal fillers, you can contact a dermatologist in your area through Docshop. DocShop.com is a powerful patient education resource, devoted to providing you with information on a variety of cosmetic procedures and treatments, as well as contact information for physicians near you.