What are the Benefits of Collagen Injections?
There are many reasons why a person would want to undergo collagen injections. The conditions that collagen injections can improve upon include:
- Filling in deep facial wrinkles and creases
- Plumping up creased and sunken areas
- Adding fullness to the cheeks and other facial areas
- Creating a better balance to one’s facial appearance
Receiving collagen injections can help one look younger and possibly gain a boost in their self-confidence.
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Where do I begin?
Those considering collagen injections should first find a qualified cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist to perform the procedure. CosmeticSurgery.com has created an easy and effective way for patients to find a cosmetic surgeon online. For more information please
CLICK HERE.
After selecting a cosmetic surgeon, or dermatologist, it is important to meet with the doctor for a consultation visit. This visit gives the doctor a chance to evaluate the current state of the patient’s face and discuss options that will help the patient achieve the desired look. Consultation visits give patients the opportunity to ask questions. These visits also allow the doctors to inform the patient of the benefits, precautions, treatment response, adverse reactions, method of administration and other important information. A skin test may also be administered during the consultation.
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How are Collagen Injections performed?
Before receiving collagen injections, a skin test is needed to determine if one is allergic to the substance. This is usually done a month before the first set of injections. Within the next few weeks, the patient should watch the test site for any signs of redness, itching, swelling or other occurrences. If this occurs, patients should tell their doctor.
The actual collagen injections are typically quick, around 30 minutes to an hour, possibly longer, depending upon the amount of area to be treated. The practitioner injects the collagen at several points along the edge of the treatment site and just below the surface of the skin. These areas are overfilled with collagen to allow for absorption following treatment, which will also help reduce total visits required. This may make the face appear puffy or swollen for a few days.
People who undergo collagen injections can return to their normal daily activities soon after treatment. Stinging or throbbing in the injected areas can be expected, but this is only temporary. To help smooth the recovery process, be sure to follow your doctor’s post-op instructions.
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How much pain is associated with Collagen Injections?
Collagen injections are a minimally invasive procedure with little pain. Tiny needles are used to administer the collagen so patients may only feel tiny pricks to their skin. Also, an anesthetic agent is usually mixed in with the collagen. For those sensitive to pain, a topical cream anesthetic or a freon spray to numb the injected area may be used.
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Are there any risks to Collagen Injections?
Allergic reactions to the collagen are the biggest risks. However, the skin test is designed to prevent this from occurring. There also are non-allergy risks involved including infection, abscesses, open sores, skin peeling, scarring and lumpiness, which may occur in the treated area.
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How long will these results last?
The results of collagen injections are not permanent. The body will eventually reabsorb the collagen, so follow-up appointments are necessary. Cosmetic surgery procedures, such as a facelift, will provide a longer lasting result than non-invasive procedures like collagen injections. Collagen injections are a solution to those who want a quick, easy procedure, with a minimal amount of pain and downtime.
Results of collagen injections usually vary from patient to patient. Most patients experience half of the fullness disappearing within three to six months after treatment. In order to maintain results, further treatments are necessary. Those that do not continue with their treatment will notice their appearance reverting to a pre-treatment state.
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How much do Collagen Injections typically cost?
In 2003, the national average surgeon/physician fee for collagen injections was $373, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Surgeon fees within various regions may vary depending on whether the practice is an urban, suburban or rural area. This fee only covers the surgeon/physician costs, and do not include other factors like anesthesia and other miscellaneous costs associated with collagen injections. A comprehensive cost figure may be obtained while consulting with the surgeon. Make sure the total figure includes any and all costs associated with the treatment. Plus, these figures are based on a single treatment.
Unfortunately, most medical insurance providers do not cover cosmetic surgery procedures. However, most surgeons do offer multiple financing options. CosmeticSurgery.com offers information on various ways patients can fit collagen injections into their budget. For more information please
CLICK HERE.
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Ten Questions Collagen Injection Patients Should Ask Their Surgeon:
To better educate the patient about collagen injections, as well as assisting in formulating realistic expectations, it is recommended that the patient look at before and after photographs, speak with previous patients, (you are always welcome to ask your doctor for referrals to previous patients and where to contact them) and get answers to the following questions:
- Are the desired results I described realistic?
- How long will these injections take?
- Are collagen injections the most appropriate procedure for my case?
- What type of collagen do you use for the procedure?
- If using bovine collagen, where does the bovine collagen come from?
- What is your level of experience in performing collagen injections?
- How much do collagen injections cost and what other elements factor into that cost?
- What percentage of patients experience complications with the collagen injections?
- What should I expect, post-operatively, in terms of discomfort and healing?
- How soon can I have the skin test to determine my eligibility for collagen injections?
In addition to the previously mentioned questions, it is important that patients relay to their surgeon information regarding any allergies and serious medical conditions they may have. Furthermore, patients should inform the surgeon of any medications they are taking.
This site provides information about plastic/cosmetic surgery and is designed to help users make decisions regarding their own treatment options. But medical information is not the same as medical advice--the application of medical treatment to a person's specific circumstances. Although we go to great lengths to make sure our information is accurate and useful, we recommend you consult a qualified medical practitioner if you want professional assurance that our information, and your interpretation of it, is appropriate to your particular situation.
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