Botox and Collagen

Baby boomers are turning 50 at the rate of one every 7 seconds. They are more concerned than ever with maintaining a youthful appearance. The number of cosmetic surgery procedures performed continues to soar, growing at a rate of over 23% each year since 1996.

What causes wrinkles?

Facial wrinkles and creases begin to appear as the underlying collagen and elastin fibers begin to break down and wear out. While this breakdown is part of the natural aging process, it can also result from excessive squinting, frowning, smoking and smiling. Until recently, many patients thought their only hope was a facelift or browlift.

Now, by combining the world’s most popular, FDA approved wrinkle fighters, Botox and Collagen, your doctor can offer a simple, non-surgical alternative to cosmetic surgery. Your doctor can use Botox to prevent new wrinkles from appearing and Collagen to fill the ones that you already have.

What is Botox?

Botox is the latest advancement in botulinum toxin therapy. It is used to safely, simply and effectively improve the appearance of frown lines, forehead creases and “crow’s feet”. Botox is a remarkable treatment for dynamic wrinkles resulting from repeated use of facial muscles. By relaxing these underlying facial muscles, Botox reduces the formation of wrinkles.

How does Botox work?

Botox actually prevents wrinkles from appearing by relaxing the underlying muscles so they don’t contract. Botox blocks impulses from the nerve to the tiny facial muscles that are related to expression lines. After treatment, the overlying skin remains smooth and unwrinkled while the untreated facial muscles contract in a normal fashion, allowing your normal facial expression to be unaffected.

What is Collagen?

Collagen is a natural substance derived from purified animal protein. Your doctor uses it to replace the collagen your skin loses over time. Over the last twenty-five years, Zyderm® and Zyplast® Collagen have proven to be the most popular filler material. Collagen works best for patients with well-defined wrinkles or creases, deep smile lines and acne scars.

How does Collagen work?

Zyderm and/or Zyplast Collagen are placed just beneath your skin where your body accepts it as its own. By supplementing your skin’s own collagen with Zyderm and/or Zyplast Collagen, your doctor can smooth out wrinkles and most scars. Your doctor can also improve the appearance of deeper frown lines and nasal furrows. In addition to filling wrinkles, your doctor can use Collagen to enhance the lip line and add fullness to the lips. Collagen injections are a safe, effective, time-tested, non-surgical wrinkle treatment that provide immediate results.

What indications respond best to this combination treatment?

Botox is a great treatment for “crow’s feet”, forehead lines and the creases between the eyebrows. Collagen is most frequently used to treat deep smile lines, dimples, lines around the mouth, marionette lines at the ends of the mouth, acne scars, cheek depressions and facial scars. Collagen is also used for lip augmentation.

What can I expect after my Botox and Collagen treatments?

Following Botox and Collagen injections, normal activities can be resumed immediately. Discomfort is minimal. The treatment sites may have a little swelling, which may last a few hours. There may be some slight bruising which can be covered with make-up. Many patients are amazed at how much easier it is to apply their lipstick. Following treatment of the lips the little wrinkles that cause lipstick to “bleed” are gone. Depending on the area treated, correction usually lasts from three to six months. If wrinkles make you look older than you are, Botox and Collagen can smooth them out and give you a more youthful and pleasant appearance. Botox and Collagen injections can postpone the need for a facelift or browlift.

This information is intended to supplement, not replace, a consultation with a board certified physician. To find out if you could be a candidate for one of these procedures or to learn more information about these procedures, we invite you to contact one of our doctors for a private consultation.

Trademarks are property of their owners.
B & A photos may not be patients of the doctor featured in this web site.
Your results may differ. Copyright • 2002 • MJD Patient Communications
All rights reserved. Any reproduction in part or whole is strictly prohibited.