About Collagen
Are You a Candidate for Collagen?
About the Procedure
Your Recovery
Possible Complications

 

About Collagen

As one grows older, the effects of gravity, sun exposure, and the general everyday stresses of life begin to affect the overall appearance of one’s face resulting laugh lines, smile lines, crow's feet or facial creases over the areas where facial muscle movement occurs.

Injectable fillers such as collagen can help fill in these lines and creases, and temporarily restore a smoother, more youthful appearance. When injected beneath the skin, collagen can plump up creased and sunken areas of the face.
Collagen is a naturally occurring protein that provides support to various parts of the human body: the skin, the joints, the bones and the ligaments. Collagen is used primarily to fill wrinkles, lines and scars on the face and sometimes the neck, back and chest.

It is important to realize that collagen is not permanent. It can, however, slow it down and “set the clock back” for those desiring a temporary, more youthful appearance.

 

Are You a Candidate for Collagen?

At initial consultation, Dr. Javaheri will evaluate the skin, the muscles and the underlying bone structure of your face, and discuss your goals for the procedure.
If you are pregnant, suffer from an autoimmune disease, are allergic to beef or bovine products, or are allergic to lidocaine (the anesthetic agent contained in the syringe with the collagen material), collagen injections are in most cases are not recommended.

Dr. Javaheri will ask you about your general medical history, specifically pertaining to any medical conditions that could cause problems during or after your surgery, such as drug allergies, active skin infections or non-healed sores from injury.

About the Procedure

Approximately a month prior to your procedure, Dr. Javaheri will administer a test to determine whether you are allergic to collagen.

After it has been determined that you are not allergic, the collagen will be injected using a fine needle at specific points along the edge of the treatment site. The procedure usually does not require the use of a local anesthetic though you may feel some slight stinging or burning as the collagen is injected.

The procedure is usually administered at one of Dr. Javaheri’s office locations. However, if you are being hospitalized for a facelift, neck lift, brow lift, or any other procedure, your injections may be administered in the hospital as well. Dr. Javaheri will determine at the time of your consultation if this will be appropriate for you.

Different types of collagen are available for the various locations of the face, or types of wrinkles.

Your Recovery

Immediately following the procedure, you may feel some minor discomfort, stinging or throbbing in the injected area. Occasionally some bruising or swelling may occur, though usually minor. If any redness appears in the injected site, it will usually disappear within a day. For some individuals, particularly fair-skinned patients, this redness may persist for over a week. Tiny scabs may also form over the needle-stick areas though they generally heal very quickly.

Recovery is almost immediate and you will be able to resume all your normal activities including eating, drinking, and wearing makeup, though you must also wear sunblock.

The duration of the collagen injections varies significantly from patient to patient. Though some patients have reported results lasting almost a year, the majority of patients find that some of the injected fullness disappears within three to six months after their last procedure. Therefore, repeated injections may be necessary. Dr. Javaheri will advise you on how to maintain your results with repeat treatments.

Possible Complications

Individuals vary greatly in their anatomy, their physical reactions, and their healing abilities, and the outcome is never completely predictable. As with any surgical procedure, the risk of infection is always a possibility.

 

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