Women the world over are interested in collagen, but few know what this elusive protein actually is, or what it can do to enhance their looks. Dr. Pooja Malik, medical director of Mullica Hill Skincare in Mullica Hill, New Jersey, talks here about how collagen can be of real benefit in maintaining a youthful appearance, and what you can do about it when it begins to degrade.
Collagen is the most abundant protein in our body. It connects different organs together, and so in skin, it is present in abundance. But with age collagen degrades, and that is how we get skin wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging of the skin. That’s why collagen is important, especially if you want to maintain a youthful appearance.
Collagen is the primary protein in all mammals and it is the main protein of our connective tissue. Like any protein, it is made in our bodies from good nutrition. But when it degrades with age, we begin to see laxity to the skin.
That’s perhaps the primary reason why people in their 40s and 50s start to see sagging of the skin, especially in the face. The collagen under the skin is called elastin, and over time, the elastin also degrades. As a result, it tends to become less strong and does not give the appearance of increased elasticity to the skin.
Facial Injections
These days, luckily, there is something you can do about it. For the face, certain treatments, such as injections with dermal fillers, are formed from hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is one components of collagen, which can restore and temporarily correct fine lines, wrinkles or deeper folds.
One benefit of contemporary dermal fillers is that numerous collagen fillers do not need skin testing for allergic reactions, like Evolence. In the past, some earlier collagen fillers required testing as they were made from bovine collagen, although the chances of having an allergic reaction to them were minimal.
Immediate Results
Some dermal fillers we use include Restylane, Juvederm, and Perlane. A topical anesthetic is typically given beforehand so patients feel no pain, and in some cases, the results can be seen immediately. Usually a course of injections will be required to get the best effect, and maintaining the look will require regular touch-ups.
Injections of dermal fillers provide a much less invasive alternative than plastic surgery when it comes to looking younger. Just make sure you visit only a reputable med spa, and have all your injections of dermal fillers carried out by a qualified medical professional.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
