What is Collagen Implant Therapy?

The collagen used in implant therapy is a natural substance that replaces the collagen of your skin. Derived from purified bovine (cow) collagen, the substance is placed beneath the skin and immediate results can be observed. It is important to know that one treatment may not fully correct every line on your face.

Collagen Implant treatment can produce these dramatic results!

Source: This photo is from a Collagen Canada Ltd. brochure from the makers of    ZYDERM-ZYPLAST collagen implant products.  Available at Calgary Vein & Laser

What is Collagen?

Your skin is divided into two layers. The uppermost layer is called the epidermis and acts as a protective barrier. The second layer is the dermis. The dermis is primarily made up of a protein called collagen. The collagen that is present in the dermis acts as a support structure for the skin. Over time, the support structure can weaken and the skin will lose its elasticity The effect of this collagen wear down is the eventual appearance of facial lines.

Who is a candidate for this therapy?

At the time of consultation, the physician will discuss your medical history and the risks and benefits of treatment. The specific areas that are requested for treatment will be assessed as to whether or not these lines are candidates for collagen implant therapy. Prior to any collagen implant therapy you will be requested to have a skin test to screen for possible allergic reaction.

What lines are best treated?

There are different types of collagen, and each collagen is indicated for specific types of facial lines. Facial lines that can be treated with collagen consist of the glabellar lines (frown lines between the eyes), crows feet (the lines at the side of the eyes), the nasolabial fold (the line from the nose that follows to the sides of the chin), bleeding lip lines, as well as lip enhancement.

How long will collagen last?

Just like your natural collagen, injectable collagen begins to lose its form and will eventually wear down. How quickly collagen wears down will depend on age, skin condition, the amount of sun damage, and the amount of collagen that was utilized for therapy. In the majority of patients, collagen will last approximately six months. At this time, clients can have continued maintenance treatments.

What should I expect after treatment?

Immediately after treatment of collagen, the patient can expect a slight blotchiness and mild swelling in the areas of injection. Initial implantation therapy often requires over correction. Needle prick sites as well as some minor bruising may be apparent. Most typically within three hours to three days, any evidence of the procedure has disappeared. Collagen implantation causes very minimal discomfort. Within the collagen implant itself there is a small amount of local anaesthesia which decreases the discomfort of the injection.

How much does collagen cost?

The cost of this procedure is dependent on the type of collagen and quantity required to reduce the facial line. This information is provided to the client at the time of consultation.

Are there adverse effects?

The main adverse effect to collagen is allergy. For this reason all patients are tested on two separate occasions for possible allergy to collagen. The forearms are used for allergy testing. Slight bruising and blotchiness is common and very temporary. There have also been reports of vascular injections but this is a rare complication.