Collagen - What you need to know about collagen

Collagen is a natural protein that is found in the connective tissues of the body. It is the main component of ligaments, cartilage, bone, tendons, teeth, and fascia. When combined with keratin, another family of proteins, it is responsible for elasticity and strength in the skin. Aging causes the production of this substance to decrease, which in turn causes the skin to sag and wrinkle.

In recent years, collagen has been used in cosmetic surgery. Most of the collagen that is used in these medical procedures is derived from animals, cows and pigs being the two main sources of this type of collagen. The cows must be BSE-free certified. BSE stands for Bovine spongiform encephalopathy, a particular cow disease. To ensure that these cows are certified, the specimens are drawn from “closed” herds or imported from areas such as New Zealand and Australia that have no reported cases of BSE. The pig donors are also carefully screened for diseases and infections.

Due to these precautions, the chances of an allergic reaction to this type of collagen have been almost totally eliminated. You will still need to have a simple allergy test prior to any surgery in which your doctor is going to use this type of collagen.

In cosmetic surgery, collagen is used as an injection to perform soft tissue augmentation. Simply put, the doctor injects the collagen directly into the tissue underneath the area that he is working on. The collagen firms and plumps the area, causing the skin to become more toned and smooth. A collagen injection into the lips is a popular type of cosmetic surgery. After the injection, the lips will appear plumper and fuller.

These injections can also build up shallow areas in the skin as well as soften lines and wrinkles. The effects of this surgery can last anywhere from two to four months.

While collagen treatments do not remove wrinkles, they are a safe alternative that enables a person to gain a more youthful appearance without undergoing major cosmetic surgery.