Collagen

Collagen
Collagen, an important natural component of our skin, joints, bones and ligaments, is abundant in young skin and imparts plumpness to the face and other areas of the body, such as the hands. As we age, the amount and quality of collagen in our body decreases, and as a result, wrinkles and creases begin to appear. Our cheeks become hollow and our upper lip thins.

In the past few decades, the cosmetic industry has attempted to market creams and lotions containing collagen as virtual fountains of youth, but in fact, collagen works best when it is injected into the skin, not smeared on it. Applying collagen topically provides a slight boost to the skin's elasticity, but injecting collagen is much more effective.

The injectable form of collagen is usually derived from cows and purified to create a product that is similar to human collagen. In this form, Collagen falls within the category of an "injectable soft tissue filler." When injected beneath the skin, Collagen plumps up creased and sunken areas of the face. Collagen can also fill out wrinkles, skin depressions and some scars. It cannot, however, correct severe wrinkles. Nor can it treat sagging skin. Other techniques such as a chemical peel, dermabrasion or a facelift may be needed to treat these other varied cosmetic concerns.