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Collagen injections replenish the skin's natural collagen. The natural beauty of your skin is enhanced as the contour of the support structure is restored. Zyderm and Zyplast are collagen products gotten from cows that replace the collagen your skin loses over time. Zyderm and Zyplast collagen are placed just beneath the skin, in the dermis where the body readily accepts it as its own. CosmoDerm and CosmoPlast are bioengineered human collagen products that are used for similar indications as Zyderm and Zyplast but have the advantage of not requiring a skin test prior to the first treatment. Collagen should be injected into your skin only by a trained health care professional.

You and your doctor will discuss your medical history and the areas you want treated with injectable fillers. Injections are not appropriate for certain lines and scars or when certain medical conditions are present. It is very important to discuss and understand what filler injections can do for you. If you and your doctor decide injections are appropriate, your doctor may start with a skin test in your forearm to determine if you are sensitive to the substance being used. You must watch the area very carefully over a four-week period. Most men and women tested show no reaction to the skin test and can have injections.

That depends on which product you use. Just like natural collagen, collagen replacements begin to lose form and will eventually wear down. Treatment may require collagen injections two to four times a year to maintain the smoothing effects. Hylaform and Restylane are also eventually reabsorbed by the body requiring repeated treatment. Synthetic materials, such as Artecoll, last longer but carry a higher risk of allergic reaction. Fat, depending on how it is used, can sometimes achieve permanent results.

Before getting a collagen injection, you should expect to receive a small injection of local anesthesia to numb the area being treated. There is a possibility of slight bruising, and you may experience puffiness, redness, and tenderness around the treated site. It's important to discuss with your doctor exactly what you can expect from each treatment. Together, you can prioritize which facial areas you wish to be treated and discuss how many treatments you may need and the estimated cost. It's important to know that one treatment may not remove every line on your face. Depending on the substance injected, you may need continued treatments to maintain the smoothing effect.

Collagen creams work only on the skin surface. A moisturizer with or without collagen cannot penetrate the skin and is not designed to be absorbed. No moisturizer can undo the cumulative effect of collagen loss. Creams primarily slow the rate of water loss from the skin and help keep the skin supple. WebMD Medical Reference

In young skin, the collagen framework is intact and the skin remains moisturized and elastic. It's resilient to the many facial expressions we adopt as well as everyday environmental exposure. But, over time, the support structure weakens and the skin loses its elasticity. The skin begins to lose its tone as the collagen support wears down. Every time you smile, frown or squint, you put stress on the collagen in your skin. The effect of these facial expressions is cumulative and facial lines begin to appear.