Technical filling wrinkles now very challenged by hyaluronic acid, collagen injections remains attractive, especially for treating skin thin and fragile.
Collagen
Principle of collagen
Appeal to the aesthetic medicine to treat the appearance of wrinkles is very often a much less radical alternative than plastic surgery.
Collagen is a protein found naturally in the skin and is responsible in particular for its holding, its cohesion and elasticity. Presents also in the cartilage, ligaments or tendons in, it disappears with age, as the elasticity of our skin. This disappearance therefore produces sagging of the skin and breaks the skin: wrinkles. So just replace the collagen lost with a version "new" and this, by injection. This treatment is intended primarily for superficial wrinkles, fine lines and small scars.
It has long been used collagen purified from bovine dermal collagen. Since 2003, he was replaced by an equivalent product, close to human collagen, natural and biodegradable. There are several types of products depending on their concentration and cross linking. Plus they are cross linked, and their resistance is durable.
Collagen injections
Collagen injections are a medical procedure and should only be performed by a cosmetic surgeon.
A local aesthetic will be given especially for the most sensitive areas such as peri-oral or lips. The procedure is not painful though.
It injects collagen using a very thin needle in the path of the wrinkle to plump up the furrows or delete the fracture of the dermis. It can also administer a series of small drops of product injected under the wrinkle.
The session lasts 20 to 30 minutes. It is recommended to perform two operations to 2 or 3 weeks apart. The results are immediate and excellent, provided that the injection technique is well controlled by the physician.
The sun should be avoided for 4 weeks minimum.
Collagen
Namely
- The session costs 150 to 300 depending on the dose injected.
- The product is very versatile and forgiving because, at worst, it disappears in a few months.
- The duration of the implant is about 6 months but may reach 9 months to 1 year.
- The injections produce few side reactions. Mild redness and swelling are rare and may persist for several hours to two days after surgery.
- With new collagen, it is no longer necessary to perform a skin test first. There is in principle no risk of allergy or rejection.
- Collagen is a little worse than some hyaluronic acids, but it is easier to use and does not "grit". In addition, the cross linked collagen is one of the best products in terms of the work on the hem of the lip.
- The product may leave a small trace provisional clear skin is quite dull.
- The holding of the product usually improves with repeated injections.
- Injections of collagen are strongly discouraged for pregnant or lactating.
The autologous collagen
In this case, it uses the patient's own collagen. After local anaesthesia, the fat of the subject is taken, at the saddlebags for example. It is then crushed and then centrifuged to isolate the collagen is then injected into wrinkles.
With this method, the risk of rejection is almost zero, but the collection and handling are difficult and demand the intervention of impeccable aseptic conditions.
Collagen creams
Attention; they do not cause the disappearance of wrinkles! It is indeed a molecule too large to be able to cross the barrier of the epidermis and reach the dermis. In contrast, in cream, it is a very good moisturizer, which is not greasy skin.
