What is Collagen and its 7 Benefits: Chicago Plastic Surgery
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COLLAGEN

Collagen is designed to smooth out facial lines on the surface of the face. It helps to restore the support structure of the face, thus enhancing the contours of the upper layer of skin. It can be used to enhance the shape of the lips, reduce the appearance of the scars, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
There are many injectable substances used today such as:

What are the benefits?

  • Dermalogen
  • Fascian
  • Artical
  • Hyaluronic Acid (Restylane, Hylaform)
  • AlloDerm (Cymetra)
  • Hydroxyapatite (Radiesse, formerly known as Radiance)
  • Fat Transfer

What are the different types of Fillers?

Hyaluronic Acid exists naturally in all living organisms and is a natural component of connective tissues, including the skin. Hyaluronic Acid adds volume to minimize wrinkles and lines. As the substance naturally occurs in humans and all animals, allergic reactions are rare.

Restylane is the most common filler utilizing Hyaluronic Acid. Restylane is soft tissue that adds volume with immediate results lasting up to one year.

Calcium hydroxylapatite composed of microscopic calcium particles suspended in gel, is normally present in your bones and teeth. Because it is a normal constituent of bone, it should not elicit a chronic inflammatory or immune response. This semi-permanent soft tissue filler helps restore volume to areas with deep wrinkles. It is softer than Collagen and easy to inject.

RadiesseR (formerly known as Radiance) is one of the latest injectable substances to treat wrinkles and give fuller lips. Radiesse requires no allergy testing and can last two to five years.

What is the down time?

For lip injections, Dr. Speron gives a dental block so the procedure is very comfortable. After treatment, keep an icepack on the area for 15 minutes to reduce possible swelling. You may take arnica (under the tongue) every two hours for the first day or two to minimize any bruising. Swelling is usually the worst for the first 4 to 6 hours. People generally feel comfortable going out in public after 1 to 2 days depending on where and how much filler they received.

** There is a tremendous "Buzz" around the hyaluronic acid derivatives like Restylane and Hylaform. This material can last 6-9 months.

**However, something even more promising is now starting to be routinely used for injections - Radiesse (formerly known as Radiance). Made by Bioform, this injectable substance is made of Hydroxyapatite (something normally present in your bone and teeth). Because calcium hydroxylapatite is a normal constituent of bone, it should not elicit a chronic inflammatory or immune response. It is actually softer than collagen and very easy to inject. There is no allergy testing required. It is supposed to last 2-5 years.

It has been used in Europe and Canada for some time and is FDA approved for other uses, but not yet for facial rejuvenation. Remember, Botox was used since 1989 for facial rejuvenation without being FDA approved. Botox was only FDA approved in early 2002. FDA approval for Radiance is expected in the summer of 2003. Dr. Speron has been using it since January of 2003 and is very impressed with it. Patients think it lasts at least 12 months.

Generally, what are the possible Side Effects?

As with any injection some common side effects are temporary redness and swelling at the injection site. These typically resolve within two to three days. Most people can resume their normal activities within a few hours after the treatment.
Other symptoms can include

  • Temporary stinging, throbbing, or burning sensation
  • Allergic reaction including rash, hives, swelling, or flu-like symptoms - rare with the newer substances
  • Contour irregularities
  • Infection

Topical numbing cream may be used to reduce any discomfort. For lip injections, Dr. Speron gives a dental block so the procedure is very comfortable.

After treatment, keep an icepack on the area for 15 minutes to reduce possible swelling. You may take arnica (under the tongue) every two hours for the first day or two to minimize any bruising occurs.

What are the side effects with hyaluronic acid fillers?

Today, there are no known side effects for most hyaluronic acid products including pills, serums, creams and liquids. However, there are some side effects associated with knee and facial injections.

Some of the less common side effects for facial injections of hyaluronic acid include: blue color or flushing or redness of skin, cough, difficulty in swallowing, dizziness or feeling faint, fever, redness or pain at place of injection, skin rash, hives, and/or itching, stuffy nose, swelling of eyelids, face, or lips, as well as tightness in chest, troubled breathing, and/or wheezing.

Facial injections of hyaluronic acid gel to combat aging do not pose an allergy risk for patients. However, hyaluronic acid gel does not contain lidocaine, an anesthetic, so injections can be painful. In addition, there is usually temporary inflammation that produces swelling and redness following injection with hyaluronic acid gel - especially in the lip area.

What Do Our Patients Say?

Critical-Questions

By Dr. SAM SPERON

When I first published The 7 Critical Questions to Ask Before Letting Any Surgeon Touch You, I had no idea that it would be so popularly received. Since its publication, this brief guide has helped thousands like you to more safely navigate the world of cosmetic surgery. The 7 Questions have been updated and a bonus section, Applying the 7 Questions, has just been added. Be my guest to read, learn and share.