Collagen

Collagen Injections are very useful for treating fine lines around the mouth and also for correcting boxcar scars on the face.

Conditions treated: Lines, folds, wrinkles etc.

Length of treatment: 30-minute office visit

Price: $160 and up

Covered by insurance: No

Pain factor: Mild

What is Collagen

Collagen is the main structural protein of the skin. It is the most abundant protein in the skin as it constitutes approximatively 70% of its dry weight.

Collagen fibers, along with elastic fibers are surrounded by ground substance (Hyaluronic acid, Chondroitin Sulfate, etc). Collagen gives the skin its strength and elastic fibers impart elasticity to the skin.

Skin Aging

As the skin ages, the collagen fibers become thinner and the elastic fibers become fragmented. Sun induced aging, especially in fair skinned people, is more severe and dangerous than chronologic aging due to the danger of skin cancer.

To prevent sun induced aging, a broad spectrum sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher is recommended to be applied every morning all year around, especially in very light skinned people. To avoid Vitamin D deficiency, Synthetic Vitamin D is available in drug stores.

How to rebuild Collagen

To rebuild collagen, multiple treatments are available. They can be used separately or in combination.

1. Bovine Collagen injections: Zyderm I and II and Zyplast are seldom used now, due to the need for intradermal testing and the possibility of reactions even when the tests are negative.
2. Human Collagen injections: Cosmoderm I and II and Cosmoplast. They have almost completely replaced the Zyderm injections. They do not require intradermal testing.
   • Cosmoderm I and II can be used to treat superficial wrinkles and some shallow acne scars. Duration varies from a few weeks to a few months. Pain factor: Mild. Price: $150 to $200.
   • Cosmoplast is a cross linked collagen and it can be injected deeper into the skin, to treat deeper wrinkles such as melolabial folds and marionette lines. Pain factor: Mild. Price: $300 to $400.
3. Recently, we have started using a Porcine Collagen: Evolence. It can be injected into the skin at various levels and it works very well in deep wrinkles (Melolabiaal folds and Marionette lines) and other areas. Pain factor: Mild to moderate . Price: $500.00 to $600.00.
4. Stimulators of collagen production:
   • The main Collagen stimulator is Sculptra (Polylactic acid).
   • According to recent research, all fillers (Restylane, Juvederm, Radiesse, etc) have been shown to stimulate collagen production by the fibroblasts.
   • Also multiple devices such as Intense Pulsed Light machines machines, Resurfacing Lasers as well as Chemical peels, are known to stimulate collagen production.

To select the treatment most appropriate to each person, individual preferences, the degree of aging and several other factors have to be taken into consideration.

All the treatments mentioned above are offered at Lakeview Dermatology by Drs. Eugene and Steven Mandrea, Board Certified Dermatologists.

To discuss your condition with a Board Certified Dermatologist call (773) 281.9200. Prices on website subject to change and may not reflect actual prices after consultation.

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