Cosmetic Surgery

Facial Rejuvenation

Eyelids and Forehead

Nose Reshaping

Breast Enhancement

Lip Augmentation

Chin and Cheek Implants

Cosmetic Ear Surgery

Laser Treatments and Resurfacing

Skin Care and Chemical Peels

Injectable Fillers

Body Liposculpture

Arm Lifts

Tummy Tucks

Laser Hair Removal

Botox

Injectables

COLLAGEN INJECTIONS

Let’s face it, wrinkles and grooves are inevitable as we get older. Some begin to show up in our thirties, others become more apparent in our fifties and sixties. There are many strategies for dealing with these bothersome crevices. One way is to “fill in” the offending wrinkle, fold, or groove with injectable collagen - the natural building block material of the skin.

Over the years a multitude of injectable filler substances have been developed for treating wrinkles. Some of these have been processed from animal tissue, some from human tissue, and still others have been synthetic materials. Although there has been a great deal of research done in this area, the ideal injectable filler material has not been discovered yet. Until such a material is developed, the best filler remains, in Dr. Hendrick’s opinion, the processed collagen known as Zyplast and Zyderm.

Zyplast and Zyderm has been around longer than most other injectable fillers and have withstood the test of time, even as other fillers have come and gone. Although use of the material does require a skin test and a six week waiting period to minimize the risk of an allergic reaction, the material is easily injected with little to no discomfort and results are immediate.

Virtually any fold or wrinkle can benefit from Collagen injections. The most popular areas to treat are deepened cheek folds, the “drool lines” near the corners of the mouth, vertical wrinkles around the lips, the lips themselves (see “Lip Augmentation”), forehead wrinkles, and acne scars.

FAQ

Is Collagen safe?
Yes, but no implant material is 100% free of risk. As long as a patient has a negative skin test, the risks of an allergic or other adverse reaction to the implant is very low.

Are there other injectable materials besides collagen?
Yes. There have been dozens of injectable materials developed; all in the interest of finding the ultimate long lasting implant material. Most have been tested in foreign markets and for various reasons have failed to pass FDA approval for use in this country (and usually for good reason). Those that have received FDA approval have been associated with more painful application and no additional filler benefit.

How long will the collagen injection benefit last?
Everyone will break down the collagen at slightly different rates. Most patients see a benefit from the injections for about three months. In that sense, collagen injections are “maintenance therapy.”

Do the injections hurt?
Zyplast and Zyderm collagen comes suspended in local anesthetic, so discomfort from the injections is minimal. For the truly squeamish, application of ice packs to the areas to be injected can be done to minimize any discomfort. Very few patients feel this is necessary.

“The staff the day of surgery were all outstanding. Just wish I would of done it sooner!”

--S.C., Rhinoplasty