Collagen Injections | Find Collagen Injection Surgeons or Doctors

Collagen injections, also called soft-tissue augmentation, is a cosmetic plastic surgery procedure performed to correct wrinkles, depressions in the skin, and/or scarring. The collagen injection procedure involves injecting a substance (collagen and/or fat) into the skin in order to plump or fill-up the area being treated. The result of collagen injections is usually not permanent and touch-up injections may be needed every three to 12 months. For some, however, the collagen injections can stimulate the body's own production of collagen, lengthening the time necessary between follow-up injections.

Similar to collagen, a natural protein found in humans, injectable collagen is made from cows. This protein gives support and structure to skin, bones, ligaments, and other body parts. Collagen injections from tissue donors or self-donated are generally utilized to treat wrinkles, scars, and facial lines.

Injecting one's own fat to correct skin defects is called microlipoinjection. It includes the transfer or recycling of fat from one body area to another allowing the surgeon to recontour the skin. With a tiny needle, the fat is extracted and then re-injected into the selected site. This is often a favored treatment choice since it involves the use of one's own fat, reducing the risk of allergic reactions.

Possible complications associated with collagen injections:
An allergic collagen reaction is a possible complication of a collagen treatment. Therefore, in order to avoid an allergic reaction, skin tests are performed to determine if the patient is allergic to collagen injections.

Collagen injections can help fill in these lines and creases, temporarily restoring a smoother, more youthful-looking appearance. When injected beneath the skin, these fillers plump up creased and sunken areas of the face. Collagen injections can also add fullness to the lips and cheeks. Injectable fillers may be used alone or in conjunction with a resurfacing procedure, such as a laser treatment, or a recontouring procedure, such as a facelift.

You will want to know that your surgeon is experienced and qualified to perform the collagen injections. Many surgeons have taken special training and passed exams given by a national board of surgeons. Ask if your surgeon is "board certified" in surgery. Some collagen injection surgeons also have the letters F.A.C.S. after their name. This means they are Fellows of the American College of Surgeons and have passed another review by surgeons of their surgical practices.

Most of us have some criteria for making important decisions in life. But suppose that your collagen injection doctor recommends that you consider having an operation. How do you go about finding a qualified surgeon? If you or someone you know is considering elective surgery, you should be aware that there are some ways to objectively evaluate your surgeon. The American College of Surgeons—the largest international organization of surgeons in the world—recommends that you look for the following qualifications:

A good indication of a collagen injection surgeons competence is certification by a surgical board that is approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). In order for a physician to become board certified in collagen injections, he or she must complete the designated years of residency training in that specialty, and then demonstrate his or her knowledge by successfully completing a rigorous examination. When you choose a surgeon who is certified by an ABMS-approved board, you select a physician whose specialty is in surgery.

Before having collagen injections, ask your physician these questions:

What operation are you recommending?
Why do I need collagen injections?
Are there alternatives to surgery?
What are the benefits of having the operation?
What are the risks of having collagen injections?
What will happen if I don't have this operation?
Where can I get a second opinion?
What has been your experience in doing the operation? How many have you performed?
Where will the operation be done?
What kind of anesthesia will I need?
How long will it take me to recover from collagen injections?
How much will the operation cost?

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