Collagen or Fat Injections

As we age, our skin loses its ability to stay tight. Wrinkles, frown lines, crow’s feet begin to appear on our face creating a tiny highway of creases. For many, these wrinkles are a cause of concern. Filling up the wrinkles, and in many cases, actually augmenting parts of the face can be done by an injectable filler being placed under the skin to fill in the lines, wrinkles and sunken parts this procedure is sometimes done during a face-lift or peel.

Filler injections are usually used with line filling, especially the lines that run between the nose and the mouth (Nasolabial Folds). The same technique is applied with lip augmentation.

Collagen and fat are two of the most common fillers used. Other substances include Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxylapatite and PMMA.

The collagen is manufactured from either human or porcine sources. Collagen is a natural protein that acts as the glue that binds together our connective tissue, promotes the healing of broken bones and provides structure to our bodies.

The fat is taken out of our own reserve. The areas used for extraction are the abdomen, thighs or buttocks. The fat is re-injected, or suctioned into the troubled areas, filling the lines, and creases. Because this fat is the patient’s own byproduct, very little complications or side effects will occur. You might notice some redness or a little bit of swelling or bruising around the injection site.

Whatever material is used, the body’s ability to metabolize the materials used will play into how long the fix is visible. Other important factors are lifestyle, genetic background and age.

During the procedure itself, the surgeon may work according to a pre-set plan marked on the patient's face with special markers. He or she will disinfect the area and may offer topical numbing ointment or icing to reduce local pain at the site of the injection. Occasionally, local anesthesia is used and in some cases the filler itself may contain an anesthetic component. The injection itself takes only a few minutes, after which the marking is erased and the procedure is over. Some wrinkles may require several injections, rather than one.

Complications are relatively rare, but you should consider them along with your surgeon. When using non-human filler, an allergy test should be carried out prior to the treatment. Even then, some people may develop antibodies to the filler material, which may prevent future treatments. Some fillers are more likely to develop granules or nodules that will show through the skin and require further treatment. Also, should any of the material migrate under the facial skin; it may cause issues such as temporary paralysis of certain group muscles.