Collagen Injections

Collagen refers to a group of naturally occurring proteins that connect and hold the tissues together. Found in the connective tissues, muscle tissues, teeth, skin and other body areas, more than 25 types of collagen are identified. Altogether, it accounts to one-fourth of total amount of proteins in the human body. With increased age, the percentage content of collagen reduces considerable leading to various signs and symptoms of aging.

Considering the effects of collagen degradation, collagen filler is used to supplement the lack of this protein in certain parts of the body. And collagen injections are formulated for employing in number of dermal filler treatment methods. Very often, they are used to smoothen the skin and enhance looks by filling up synthetic collagen underneath the skin layer. In addition, delivering collagen injections for incontinence is becoming a popular therapeutic option both in men and women. Under this, collagen is injected in the urethral portion to prevent uncontrolled urine leakage.

How Collagen Injections Work?

In brief, cosmetic use of collagen injections include treatment of aging lines, crow's feet, creases, wrinkles, scar tissues and burn sites. Also, collagen lip injections are performed for creating fuller lips, a procedure called lip augmentation. In any of the case, before injecting collagen, a topical ointment is applied over the injection site. Then, using a fine needle, the surgeon delivers collagen below the skin layer, which then pushes the skin making it look smooth and firm. The time required for injecting collagen is 15 - 30 minutes, depending upon the size of the treatment area.

There is no recovery time as such, since most candidates resume their normal activities within a few minutes after application. The effects of collagen usually last for 3 to 4 months. Nevertheless, in some people, they last for as short as 2 months or as long as six months. While speaking about collagen injections cost, the average charge for a single injection is USD 400. This cost may fluctuate from one region to another, ranging from USD 250 to 500. Normally, patients end up spending more than USD 700 to get collagen injection treatment.

Are there Side Effects of Collagen Injections?

After the collagen application, a candidate should refrain from using skin care or cosmetic products for at least 24 hours or as prescribed by the surgeon. The surgeon may keep the candidate under supervision for at least one hour to examine any unusual side effects. But, as expected, collagen injections are associated with mild to severe side effects. Hence, before and after procedure information should be gathered from an experienced cosmetic surgeon.

Immediately after the injection has been delivered, most candidates complained of mild discomfort and pain. These signs usually subside within a few hours or if necessary, pain relieving medications are prescribed. In case of allergic reactions to collagen supplements, the treated area may become red for a prolonged period. Thus, it is imperative to perform skin rash test in a patch before getting collagen treatment. Other reported collagen injections side effects include temporary redness, throbbing, peeling, swelling, burning sensation, infection and scarring in the injection site.

On the concluding note, collagen injections are a temporary measure to look pretty or solve incontinence problems. The body cells reabsorb the injected collagen, which thus requires follow-up collagen injections from time to time to maintain the same look.