Brand names: Zyderm 1, Zyderm 2, Zyplast, Fibrel
Major risks: Allergic reactions and necrotic (non-living) areas of skin can occur. These can have a hard feel, and may look lumpy or uneven under the skin. Primarily, the risk of an adverse effect is 3% and that’s considered a significant amount.
Stability: Benefits can last three to six months.
Collagen is found in all living tissue, and in the skin its basic function is to provide support and structure. The FDA approved injectable collagen in 1981. For most of the 1980s and 1990s, collagen injections were one of the primary methods used to fill in wrinkles. Zyderm and Zyplast are derived from cow collagen; Fibrel is derived from pig collagen. Injectable animal collagens are used less frequently in Europe than in the United States due to the risk of their association with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, or Mad Cow Disease). Collagen injections derived from animal sources are now used less frequently than other dermal fillers in the United States, but that is largely due to a substantial risk of allergic reaction (according to the FDA, “about 3 percent of the population is allergic to collagen”) and the short duration of the results.
Because of the potential for allergic reaction (particularly for cow collagen), it is essential to have a pretest at least four to six weeks prior to treatment. A small amount of the collagen is injected into the arm or thigh and the area is monitored closely for any signs of inflammation, swelling, irritation, rashes, or itching. Once it has been determined that you are not allergic to the material it can be injected into the wrinkle underneath the skin. Repeated injections may be necessary until optimal results are achieved.