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In the process of aging, the face begins to show the effects of gravity, sun exposure, and years of facial muscle movement, such as smiling, chewing and squinting. The underlying tissues that keep your skin looking youthful begin to break down, often leaving laugh lines, smile lines, sunken cheeks, and facial creases over the areas where muscle movement occurs such as around the sides of the mouth. Smoking also causes vertical wrinkles around the lips that can be corrected with injectables. Soft-tissue fillers such as collagen can help fill in these lines and creases, temporarily restoring a smoother, more youthful-looking appearance. When injected beneath the skin, collagen can help fill deep facial wrinkles and fill in creases and furrows. Lip augmentation is another excellent use of fillers.
Collagen
Collagen is a naturally occurring protein that provides support to various parts of the human body including the skin, joints, and ligaments. Injectable collagen is derived from purified bovine (cow) collagen. The purification process creates a product similar to human collagen. Injectable collagen received approval from the Food and Drug Administration in 1981. Collagen is injected using a fine needle, and inserted at several points along the edge of the treatment site.
An allergy patch test is required prior to collagen injection. After the test is performed, the test site will need to be watched carefully for four weeks. Any sign of redness, itching, or swelling at the test site should be reported. Collagen injection is not suitable for children, pregnant women, or anyone with a history of autoimmune disease.
Collagen Injection Initial Evaluation
At the initial consultation, your health history will be reviewed and the procedure you are interested in will be explained in great detail. Any alternative procedures will be discussed.
During the examination, the lip thickness and shape, wrinkling, fatty deposits and facial proportions will be evaluated. You will have the opportunity to point out particular characteristics of your anatomy that you would like to improve or change.
After an extensive discussion, you and Dr. Lawton will arrive at the plan that will best achieve your goals. It is our commitment that you leave this initial visit with a clear understanding of your surgical options, so you may make an informed decision. We are happy to answer any questions you may think of later by telephone, email, or at another private consultation. There is never an additional charge for these subsequent visits.
Procedure
The injection of collagen is performed in the clinic. The procedure takes about 10 to 15 minutes. You will need an appointment for a test spot approximately one month prior to collagen injection to make sure you do not have an allergy to the product.
Recovery
You may resume your normal activities and return to work immediately after collagen injection. Following treatment, you may notice some minor discomfort, stinging or throbbing in the treated area. Occasionally, some bruising or swelling will occur, and will last from a few days up to a few weeks. Any redness that appears in the treated site usually disappears within 24 hours. The extent of these symptoms depends upon the size and location of the treated area. In some individuals, particularly fair-skinned patients, this redness may persist for a week or more. No bandaging is needed and you are free to eat, drink, and wear makeup with sun block protection shortly after treatment. However, it is best to stay out of the sun until the redness and bruising subsides.
Results
The longevity of the results vary depending on your lifestyle, physical characteristics, and the area treated. Generally, the injected material is likely to be absorbed faster in areas that are more affected by muscle movement, such as around the mouth. Most patients find that maximal fullness lasts approximately 3 months. Therefore, repeated injections may be necessary.
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