Q. What is collagen?
A. The skin is your body’s largest organ. It’s also the most visible. And, as you may know, it consists of two layers. The upper most layer, called the epidermis, serves to control the loss of water from cells and tissue. Without this protective barrier, the body would quickly dehydrate.
Just below the epidermis lies the second layer, the dermis. The dermis, although it contains blood vessels, nerves, and hair follicles, is primarily made up of a protein called "collagen". This protein forms a network of fibers that provides a framework for 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.
Q. Why do lines appear?
A. In young skin, the collagen framework is intact and the skin remains moisturized and elastic. It’s resilient to the many facial expressions we adopt as well as everyday wear and tear. But, over time, the support structure weakens and the skin loses its elasticity. The skin begins to lose its tone as the collagen support wears down. Every time you smile, frown or squint, you put stress on the collagen in your skin. The effect of these facial expressions is cumulative and facial lines begin to appear.
Q. Aren’t creams containing collagen enough to smooth out lines?
A. Collagen creams work only on the skin surface. A moisturizer with or without collagen cannot penetrate the skin and is not designed to be absorbed. No moisturizer can undo the cumulative effect of collagen loss. Creams primarily slow the rate of water loss from the skin and help keep the skin supple.
Q. How was collagen replacement therapy developed?
A. The history of collagen dates back decades to when animal collagen was used in surgical sutures. Continued research led to the wide use of collagen in a number of applications including heart valves and as an agent to help stop bleeding during surgery. Later, a group of biochemists and physicians at Stanford University experimented with alternative materials for skin grafts. Their research pioneered the concept of purifying animal collagen so it could be used to replace lost tissue.
Years of research by the Collagen Corporation led to the development of Zyderm™ and Zyplast™ collagen implants which are used today by trained physicians. Collagen replacement therapy is a non-surgical treatment in which Zyderm™ and Zyplast™ collagen are placed into the skin on a maintenance schedule. This provides an immediate visible difference in your face.
Q. How does collagen replacement therapy work?
A. Collagen replacement therapy replenishes the skin’s natural collagen. The natural beauty of your skin is enhanced as the contour of the support structure is restored. Zyderm™ and Zyplast™ collagen are natural substances that replace the collagen your skin loses over time. Derived from purified bovine (cow) collagen, Zyderm™ and Zyplast™ collagen are placed just beneath the skin where the body readily accepts it as its own.
Collagen is injected into your skin only by a trained healthcare professional. By supplementing your skin’s own collagen, collagen replacement therapy helps smooth facial lines as well as most types of scars.
Q. What can I expect with collagen replacement therapy?
A. It’s important to discuss with your physician exactly what you can expect from 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’s important to know that one treatment may not remove every line on your face. And, full correction requires continued treatments.
Q. How many treatments will I need?
A. Just like natural collagen, collagen replacement therapy begins to lose its form and will eventually wear down. Full correction occurs and is maintained only with a series of treatments.
A treatment series may require collagen replacement therapy approximately two times per year to maintain the smoothing effects. Depending on your age, skin condition, amount of sun damage and genetics, your treatment program will be specifically tailored to incorporate your individual needs.
Q. How do I find out if collagen replacement therapy is right for me?
A. Start out by having a skin test in your forearm to determine if you are sensitive to Zyderm™ or Zyplast™ collagen. You must watch the area very carefully over a four-week period. Ninety-seven percent of men and women who tested show no reaction to the skin test and can be treated. But, before taking the skin test, you and your physician will discuss your medical history and the areas you want treated. Collagen is not appropriate for certain lines and scars or given certain medical conditions. It is very important to discuss and understand what collagen replacement therapy can do for you.
