The skin is made up of several components: collagen, hyaluronic acid and elastin. Fillers are flexible substances that can be injected beneath the surface of the skin where they improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by increasing the skinīs volume. They are often used to help plump lips, fill hollow cheeks, improve scars and elevate deep folds.
Collagen acts as the support structure for the skin. Over time, this support structure weakens and the skin loses elasticity. Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), purified collagen from cattle (bovine collagen) and humans is most often used to treat very fine wrinkles around the mouth, or classic "smoker" lines, and to add volume to thin lips.
Collagen products help add structure back to the skin and the results often last three to four months. "Collagen products are very forgiving and work well for replacing volume," stated Dr. Butterwick. Bovine collagen, the first form of collagen, has been in use for more than 25 years. Nearly five years ago, human-bioengineered collagen, or collagen derived from human cells, was approved by the FDA. The advantage of human collagen is that it does not pose an allergy risk, while bovine collagen does and requires a skin test before use. Both types of collagen are formulated with an anesthetic to prevent any discomfort to the patient.