Why do lines appear?
In young skin, the collagen framework is intact and the skin remains moisturized and
elastic. It's resilient to the many facial expressions we adept as well as everyday wear
and tear. But over time the support structure weakens and 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 cumulative
and facial lines begin to appear.
What is collagen?
Collagen is a natural protein that provides structural support. It is found throughout the body in skin, muscle, tendon,
and bone. Fibers of collagen are woven together, like threads in fabric, to form a framework into which new cells can grow.
Collagen provides the texture, resiliency, and shape of your skin.
Why don't creams that contain collagen work enough to smooth out lines?
Collagen creams work only on the skin's surface. A moisturizer 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.
How does Collagen or Hyaluronic Acid Therapy Work?
Collagen Replacement Therapy replenishes the skin's natural collagen. Cosmoderm is a natural
substances that replace the collagen skin looses over time. Derived from purified bowine
(cow and also human) collagen, Cosmoplast Collagen are placed just beneath the skin where
the body commonly accepts them as its own. Zyderm and Zyplast are natural substances that
replace the collagen skin
losses over time. Derived from purified bovine (cow and also human) collagen, Zyderm
and Zyplast Collagen are placed just beneath the skin where the body commonly accepts
them as its own.
Collagen is available only though trained health care professionals. By supplementing your skin's own collagen, Collagen
Replacement Therapy helps smooth facial lines as well as most types of scars.
What can I expect from Collagen or Hyaluronic Acid?
From this proven, non-surgical treatment, you may obtain immediate results. You can have
Collagen or Hyaluronic Acid Replacement Therapy during a lunch hour. It's that easy.
Dr. Moy or one of his associates will be happy to discuss exactly what you can expect from
each treatment. Together, we can help you 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 fully correct every line on your face. Full correction requires
continued treatments.
How many treatments will I need?
Just like your natural collagen, injectable collagen or hyaluronic acid begins to lose its
form and will eventually wear down. Full correction occurs and is maintained only with a
series of treatments.
Depending on age, skin condition and amount of sun damage, your treatment will be tailored
to incorporate your individual needs.
Should use Collagen or Hyaluronic Acid?
Start by setting up a consultation with Dr. Moy or one of his associates. Collagen or
Hyaluronic Acid Replacement Therapy is not appropriate for certain lines and scars or in
the presence of certain medical conditions. It is very important to discuss and understand
what skin Replacement Therapy can do for you.
Before taking the skin test, Dr. Moy or one of his associates will discuss your medical history,
the risks and benefits of treatment, and the specific areas you want to treat. Collagen
Replacement Therapy is not appropriate for certain lines and scars or in the presence of certain
medical conditions. It is very important to discuss and understand what Collagen Replacement
Therapy can do for you.
After you and Dr. Moy decide on a treatment that is right for you, you can begin your Collagen
Replacement Therapy Program.
What is involved in injectable collagen treatment?
There are three steps: a consultation, the treatment series, and periodic touch-ups.
Do the injections hurt?
You may find that the injections are somewhat uncomfortable. Both CosmoDerm and CosmoPlast collagen implants contain
a small amount of lidocaine that helps numb the area temporarily, and most people report that the injections are relatively
painless.
What are CosmoDerm & CosmoPlast
CosmoDerm and CosmoPlast, made of highly purified human-based collagen, can be injected into your skin to fill certain
lines and facial furrows. Based on the results of a clinical study conducted by Inamed Corporation, a pre-treatment skin test
to determine if you might have an allergic response, is not required.
CosmoDerm and CosmoPlast collagen implants are injected into the collagen layer just below the surface of the skin,
and are used to fill in unwanted lines and wrinkles and restore the border of the lip. Treatment results are immediate and
may last anywhere from three to six months, depending on the area being treated and the amount of collagen used to achieve
optimal correction. Without ongoing treatments, the injected collagen is gradually absorbed by the body and your face returns
to its original appearance of the skin surface.
Your doctor will work with you to develop a treatment program to meet your individual needs.
What is the difference between this and other collagen products on the market?
Current dermal collagen therapies require a pre-treatment skin test followed by a 28-day waiting period to determine
if you will experience an allergic response to treatment. Based on the results of clinical study conducted by Inamed Corporation,
CosmoDerm and CosmoPlast do not require a pre-treatment skin test. Consequently, your physician can offer you the convenience
of immediate Collagen Replacement Therapy. without the need for a pre-treatment skin test.
If these products are derived from human tissue, are they safe?
Yes. The dermal fibroblasts are tested for a variety of contaminants according to current FDA guidelines. As each
individual lot of tissue is grown, it is tested extensively to ensure quality and safety. Finally, as the collagen is isolated
from the tissue, it is subjected to additional steps to remove any potential or harmful viruses. The end result of this stringent
testing is a safe product free from detectable viruses or contaminants. In addition to this rigorous testing, it is important
to recognize that CosmoDerm and CosmoPlast are derived from the same cell source that has safely produced the human-based
tissue products used for years in the treatment of burns and other skin wounds.
How does CosmoDerm collagen differ from CosmoPlast collagen?
CosmoDerm collagen was formulated especially for people with small or shallow wrinkles or scars. It can be particularly
effective in smoothing delicate frown and smile lines, as well as the fine creases that develop at the comers of the eyes
and above and below the lips. It can also help correct certain kinds of shallow scars.
CosmoPlast collagen was designed to treat depressions requiring a stronger treatment material. It is used for more
pronounced wrinkles and scars (such as deeper scars, lines, and furrows) and for areas upon which more stress is exerted (such
as the corners of the mouth).
CosmoDerm and CosmoPlast collagen implants may be used alone or in conjunction with one another. Your physician will
discuss with you the potential benefits of each and suggest an appropriate course of treatment.
Which skin depressions cannot be helped by either material?
Depressions with sharp edges and narrow "ice pick" acne scars do not usually respond to these treatments.
Can anyone be treated with CosrnoDerm or CosmoPlast collagen implants?
No. Your doctor will ask about your medical history to determine if you are an appropriate candidate for collagen
treatment.
How will my skin look and feel immediately after treatment?
Most people feel comfortable in resuming their normal activities following treatment. Temporary puffiness of the treated
areas, however, should be expected, especially with CosmoDerm collagen implant.
With both CosmoDerm and CosmoPlast collagen implants, you may also notice temporary blushing, slight bruising, and
tenderness around the treatment sites. Like the puffiness, these are normal occurrences and all should subside within a few
days. Although the injected collagen material is generally not visible in the surrounding skin, some people have reported
that they were initially able to feel the outline of the injected collagen.
As the new collagen is included as part of your own skin, the treatment site takes on the natural look of healthy
skin. Any redness and/or visible swelling that persists for more than a few days may indicate a reaction to the material.
Be sure to report this or any other questionable symptoms to your doctor.
Post-treatment considerations
Your physician will review with you what to expect following treatment with CosmoDerm and CosmoPlast collagen. In
the first 24 hours you should avoid:
Strenuous exercise
Extensive sun or heat exposure
Alcoholic beverages
Exposure to any of the above may cause temporary redness, swelling, and/or itching at injection sites. Make-up may
be applied a few hours post-treatment if no complications are present (e.g., open wounds, bleeding, and infection).
How often will I need a "touch-up" injection?
Most people who choose to receive touch-ups for lines or furrows choose to do so within 3 to 12 months of the original
treatment series. For scars, and perhaps those depressions treated with CosmoPlast collagen, the time between touch-ups may
be longer. Keep in mind that the amount of collagen used during follow-up treatments will be less than that used in the initial
treatment.
Without touch-up injections, how will my skin look?
Correction may reduce gradually until your skin looks like it did before treatment. Touch-up injections will help
you maintain your correction and can provide a long-term solution to problems associated with the surface of your skin.
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