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Collagen

Zyderm® and Zyplast® implants are highly purified bovine dermal collagen, or commonly referred toas non-human collagen, that is highly purified. Rigorous clinical trials to determine the safety and efficacy of Zyderm® and Zyplast® collagen implants were conducted from 1976 to 1981. This data was submitted to the Food and Drug Administration and Zyderm® and Zyplast® implants were cleared for marketing in 1981 and 1985 respectively. No other injectable collagen implants currently on the market have undergone such extensive study.

Zyderm® 1 facial application
Zyderm® 1 is used to treat fine lines, wrinkles, shallow scars, and thin-skinned areas. The diagram on the right illustrates how Zyderm® 1 is injected just under the surface of the skin where Zyderm® 2 is injected deeper in the dermal layer.

Zyderm® 2 facial application
Zyderm® 2 is used to treat moderate lines, wrinkles and scars.

Zyplast® facial application
Zyplast® is used to treat pronounced lines and wrinkles, scars and thicker-skinned areas.

What are the primary benefits of Collagen?
Patients experience immediate results. Collagen replacement therapy is an easy and effective way to smooth lines, wrinkles, scars, and to define lip borders without any downtime, anesthesia, or surgery. After only one treatment session, patients achieve visible results.

Is Collagen safe for everyone?
Prior to receiving collagen treatments, patients are skin tested to determine if there is any sensitivity to the implant. The skin test takes less than five minutes and is generally administered in the forearm. Ninety-seven percent (97%) of men and women tested can safely be treated with Zyderm® and Zyplast® implants.

Treatment Facts?
After the testing phase, a patient may schedule an appointment for the actual correction. Appointments are on average 30 minutes, depending on the areas to be corrected. The implant is injected intradermally through a very small needle into the appropriate facial planes needed for correction. The collagen contains a small amount of anesthetic making the procedure more comfortable, but like any other injection to the face, discomfort is relative to your facial sensitivity. Most patients return to normal activity immediately following the procedure. Ongoing series of customized treatments are as easy and convenient as the first one.

How long does it last?
Collagen is not permanent, but affords the patient the luxury of no downtime and no surgery. It is reabsorbed by the body. The rate at which it is reabsorbed varies in each patient. On average, collagen lasts 3-6 months.