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For twenty years, Zyderm and Zyplast collagen
therapy has been used to quickly and safely improve facial lines,
wrinkles, or depressed scars in one clinic visit. Collagen replacement
therapy can also be used for lip augmentation.
How do collagen injections
work?
Collagen is the primary natural component of the deeper layer of
the skin known as the “dermis”. Over time, natural collagen
is lost, causing wrinkles and folds to become more prominent. This
is particularly noticeable around the mouth. Regular collagen injections
replace lost natural collagen, thereby elevating wrinkles. Depressed
scars, such as those resulting from acne, can be improved in a similar
manner.
Zyderm and Zyplast are the original and most proven
forms of collagen available. These products represent highly purified
“bovine” collagen derived from an isolated, carefully
monitored herd of cattle.
What are the advantages
of collagen replacement therapy?
Improvement is immediate, and correction is achieved in just one
treatment session. Patients can generally return to their normal
social and occupational activities the day after treatment. The
pain of injections is minimal, and can be alleviated with local
anesthesia. Also, the process is completely reversible, so your
appearance will gradually return to its pre-treatment state with
discontinuation of therapy.
What are the limitations
of Zyderm and Zyplast?
Treatments must be repeated every 3-6 months to maintain the desired
correction. Just like natural collagen, injectable collagen eventually
breaks down, so ongoing treatments are necessary to maintain the
results you desire.
Approximately 1% of the population is allergic to
Zyderm/Zyplast, so a test dose is performed on forearm skin 2 -
4 weeks prior to actual treatment of the face.
Are alternatives to
Zyderm and Zyplast available?
There are currently newer products on the market synthesized in
the laboratory (Cosmoderm and Cosmoplast). These products do not
require allergy testing, but are significantly more expensive than
the older Zyderm and Zyplast. To our knowledge, the duration of
the newer and older products is identical. At the present time,
we are still using Zyderm and Zyplast to keep collagen replacement
therapy as cost effective as possible.
Since the FDA approved Restylane in early 2004, most
of our patients have switched to this softer, more natural, longer
lasting product. However, we do still offer collagen for those patients
who prefer it based on previous experience.
What is the cost
of collagen replacement therapy?
Please refer to our current cosmetic price list. Note that the larger
syringes are more cost effective. Treatment is considered cosmetic,
and is not covered by insurance.
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