Alternatives To Collagen
December 19, 2008
Collagen has so long been the front runner in giving people worldwide, a beautiful and youthful appearance. Collagen came in the late 1800’s and was considered safe as it came from cows and was treated to make it inert so that it could be safely injected into humans.
This worked quite successfully but certain drawbacks were noticed thereafter. Since collagen was an animal protein, there was the risk of an immune response. Anyone who wanted to go in for the procedure had to be skin tested and then kept waiting for weeks to make sure they did not react to the treated protein. In addition, collagen was expensive and only lasted up to several months.
However, it has now got competition in the form of several new fillers that have invaded the market. Among them is Restylane. It was introduced in 2003 and this hyaluronic acid gel is based on the same hyaluronic acid in the human body, thus reducing the risk of side effects. It also did not require a skin test for allergies. Restylane helps restore volume in the skin, hence making the skin look plumper.
It is injected into the fine lines or deep folds of the face, as well as the lips and normally lasts between six months to one year. The next one to enter the market is Perlane, in May 2007. Perlane is similar to Restylane, but slightly thicker. It is injected into the deeper layers of the skin. It can also be used for treating mild to moderate lines around the mouth. Pregnant or nursing women should avoid the use of Perlane and the treatment lasts approximately eight months to one year.
Another is Juvaderm in its two appearances; Juvaderm Ultra and Juvaderm Ultra Plus along with Elevess. Juvaderm Ultra is used on very fine lines, while the Ultra Plus which is denser and thicker in consistency, is used for the deeper lines and folds of the face. The duration for both is about eight months to one year. Elevess is a relative newcomer but it comes in a higher concentration, which adds to its durability. It also contains lidocaine, a local anesthetic. Elevess is injected in the mid to deep layers of the skin, such as those around the nose and cheeks. Patients with severe allergies should not use Elevess.
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