How do Botox and Collagen work?

While they both can be used to diminish facial wrinkles, the generality ends there. These treatments work in very different ways. Botox would be used more frequently if not exclusively in the upper face and Collagen is used almost exclusively in the lower face and lips. Selection of what to use and in which combinations and dosages is determined at the time of your personal consultation. Thereafter, we continually re-evaluate your progress and satisfaction on follow up visits and individualize your treatments accordingly. Treatment time is about 30 minutes.

Botox is particularly good for three areas in the upper face: Frown Lines of the Glabella, Crows Feet of the eyes and Wrinkles of the Forehead. Botox is a bio-protein derived from micro-organisms; it has been used for years in Medicine for various non-cosmetic uses. Botox is specially prepared for cosmetic applications in that it is diluted so that it can be used to relax the facial muscles that cause wrinkles and some {unwanted}facial expressions with minimal, if any side effects.

Collagen is a protein that is used to fill in the skin at either a superficial level, or a slightly deeper level. Most areas of the face may be treated, with a few exceptions. The most common are the lips and the nasal labial folds. As a dermal filler, Collagen acts like a natural protein by providing a smooth expansion in the selected areas under the skin to produce the desired effect; it can be transitioned fairly accurately using very fine injections. Collagen lasts about 3 to 4 months. The bovine collagen (that is, it comes from cows) requires a skin test. We place a superficial skin test much like the tuberculosis skin test that some people are familiar with; we then wait about 6 weeks to check for a reaction; about 2-3% of the general population will show a positive reaction. If the skin test is negative, we can proceed with either type of Collagen. If it is positive, and we decide to proceed with a Collagen, we’d use the “new” collagen, which, according to the manufacturer {Inamed} is not associated with allergic reactions.