Purpose: To plump up lines and sunken areas, add fullness to the areas such as nasolabial folds, lips and scars.
Procedure: Length 15 minutes to 1 hour.
Anesthesia: Local or none.
Where: Outpatient.
Recovery: Temporary stinging or burning sensation.
Risks: Infection and allergic reaction. Both fat and collagen injections can cause irregularities in the skin's contour.
Collagen is a natural protein substance found in the human body. It helps to form our connective tissue and gives our skin it's strength. It also acts to bind water, keeping the skin hydrated.
As we age the number of collagen fibers decrease causing the skin to loose its elasticity. Wrinkles form and the skin begins to sag.
The underlying tissues that keep our skin looking youthful and plump begin to break down: i.e., cheeks may become sunken, smile lines and other wrinkles form around the mouth, and crows feet appear around the eyes.
Filler materials such as collagen and fat, which unlike collagen is harvested from your own body, can be injected to fill these lines and give a smoother, more youthful-looking appearance. When injected beneath the skin, these fillers plump up lines and wrinkles and add fullness to sunken areas of the face.
There are other filler materials used today to reduce creases, lines and wrinkles and to plump up facial features including the cheeks and lips. For more information on these topics refer to the procedure section for lip augmentation and liposculpture, which discusses such fillers as Alloderm and Gortex, among others.
Prior to treatment the doctor will ask about your medical history and allergies. The injections take only minutes or longer in the doctor's office and are done under local anesthetic. Collagen injections can be done alone or in conjunction with laser resurfacing, a facelift or other procedure(s). Risks, though not common, include allergic reaction, infection, and skin irregularity. Collagen and fat injections are not permanent and should be repeated.
Dr. Man's office is located directly across from Boca Raton Community Hospital at 851 Meadows Road, Suite 222, Boca Raton, Florida 33486, phone number 1-800-232-5508.
