The visible signs of skin aging include fine lines and wrinkles. The skin ages due to time and environmental stresses like sun or pollution. Young skin retains its firmness and elasticity through natural elements found in the skin such as collagen and hyrolonic acid. Over time, these natural elements are reduced in quantity.

Dermal fillers replace the lost, natural components of firm, healthy skin. Collagen replacement improves lines and wrinkles by filling the natural depressions in skin with new collagen. Restylane replaces diminished levels of hyrolonic acid, which the skin uses to moisturize and plump the deep levels of skin to improve fine lines and wrinkles. Collagen and Restylane are FDA approved. Both collagen and Restylane are injected directly into the surface of the skin, providing a less invasive solution to improve skin texture, firmness, and youthful appearance.

Collagen therapy was developed in the early 1970's for therapeutic use. Zyderm® and Zyplast® collagens are highly purified bovine (cow) derived collagen. This purified form of collagen is very similar to natural, human collagen. Wrinkles are the by-product of the loss of skin's natural collagen stores. By injecting collagen into these areas, wrinkles, lines, and scars are raised up to the level of the surrounding skin. Collagen is effective in treating fine to large wrinkles and lines, but not effective in treating problems related to excess skin. Collagen used in conjunction with surgical treatments or laser resurfacing may enhance your results. Our physicians can guide you in your best treatment options depending on your desired results.

Restylane® is injected similarly to collagen at specific sites to correct wrinkles. Restylane®, however, is a refined hyrolonic acid product. Hyrolonic acid is the skin's natural mechanism for attracting and holding moisture. As time passes, the natural quantity of hyrolonic acid in the skin is diminished. Restylane replaces hyrolonic acid and attracts additional moisture that plumps and firms the skin. Restylane is not an animal derivative, and therefore risks of allergy or transmission are reduced.

Therapy with dermal fillers includes little down time. Slight puffiness and bruising may be present at the injection site but can be diminished with Vitamedica Healing Supplements® or with a cold pack. Injectables are not painful and a local anesthetic is used to numb the injection site. A very small number of patients might be allergic to collagen, and a test is needed before therapy to determine this. Upon results of an allergy test, your therapy can begin. With the use of dermal fillers, like with any medical therapy, other potential complications do exist. Talk to our physicians about your level of risk.