1. What is collagen?
2. How Does Collagen Replacement Therapy work?
3. What can I expect with Collagen Replacement Therapy?
4. How many treatments will I need?
5. How do I find out if Collagen Replacement Therapy is right for me?
6. What about human based collagen?
The skin is your body's largest organ. It is also the most visible. The skin consists of two layers, the epidermis, or outermost layer; and the dermis, or inner layer. The dermis is primarily made up of a network of protein fibers called collagen. This network builds a frame that supports the growth of cells and blood vessels. Because it is the primary component of the dermis, collagen acts as the support structure for the skin.
2. How does Collagen Replacement Therapy work?
Collagen Replacement Therapy replenishes the skin's natural collagen. The natural appearance of your skin may be enhanced as the contour of the support structure is restored. Zyderm and Zyplast Collagen are natural substances that replace the collagen that your skin loses over time. Derived from purified bovine (cow) collagen, Zyderm and Zyplast Collagen are placed just beneath the skin where the body commonly accepts them as their own. By supplementing your skin's own collagen, Collagen Replacement Therapy helps smooth facial lines as well as most types of scars.
3. What can I expect with Collagen Replacement Therapy?
It is important to discuss with your physician exactly what you can expect with each treatment. Together, you can prioritize which areas are most important to you, and discuss how many treatments you may need and the estimated cost. It is important to know that one treatment may not fully correct every line on your face. Full correction requires continued treatments.
4. How many treatments will I need?
Just like your natural collagen, injectable collagen begins to lose its form and will eventually wear down. Full correction occurs and is maintained only with a series of treatments. Depending on age, skin condition, and amount of sun damage, your treatment program will be tailored to incorporate your individual needs.
5. How do I find out if Collagen Replacement Therapy is right for me?
Start by asking your physician about a skin test. It is a simple test in your forearm to determine if you are allergic to Zyderm or Zyplast Collagen Implants. You must watch the area very carefully over a four week period. Approximately 97% of men and women tested show no reaction to the skin test and can be treated.
Before taking the skin test, you and your physician will discuss your medical history, the risks and benefits of treatment, and the specific areas you want treated. Collagen Replacement Therapy is not appropriate for certain lines and scars or in the presence of certain medical conditions. It is very important to discuss and understand what Collagen Replacement Therapy can do for you.
6. What about human based collagen?
MDMG now has human based collagen (Cosmoderm and Cosmoplast) which does not require a skin test and can be used in people with an allergic reaction to bovine collagen. The cost of this new product is slightly higher than with Zyderm or Zyplast (bovine based collagens). Clinical experience suggests that using the human collagen may produce the same good results but they persist longer. Comparison studies are underway.
For additional information, please call our Patient Care Coordinator, at (650) 325-1511, or send email to mdmg@mdmg.com.
This pamphlet reproduced with permission of The Collagen Corporation
For information on an alternate therapy to Collagen, see Restylane Wrinkle Correction Therapy (PDT)
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