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Collagen Replacement Therapy
The supportive layers under the surface of your skin are formed of collagen - a natural substance that gives your skin a youthful resilience, texture and shape. As we age, our faces gradually show the effects of gravity, sun exposure and years of facial muscle movement. The underlying tissues that keep our skin looking smooth and youthful begin to break down, leaving laugh lines, crow's feet and frown lines.
To counteract this ageing process we can use soft tissue fillers to help fill these lines and creases and restore a more youthful looking appearance. They can also be used to plump up sunken areas of the face caused by acne scars and old facial injuries as well as adding fullness to lips and cheeks.
The technique involves implanting soft tissue fillers into the skin in order to act as a pad or cushion to gently stretch the wrinkles out of your skin. These fillers exert gentle pressure from below and give your skin layers back their natural firmness and elasticity. This technique is well established and used by many men and women worldwide to keep their skin looking youthful.
Collagen
Collagen is a naturally occurring protein that is found in the layers of your skin. The Collagen used in this process is a highly purified form of collagen taken from a natural source; it can be used in many different medical applications such as sutures and replacing faulty heart valves. Collagen Replacement Therapy has been available now for more than 30 years and has benefited more than 1 million people worldwide.
As collagen is a protein it is important to carry out a skin test before proceeding with the treatment, this is done by a simple injection in the forearm, which is then left for 4 weeks to help rule out any allergic reactions.
The collagen used in this treatment is very similar to the collagen found naturally in your skin; it reacts in a similar way and is gradually absorbed into the body. This means that the treatment will need topping up from time to time to keep the new look. Everyone's skin is different but as a rule a top-up is required about twice a year, however, treatments can be applied as and when required.
Hylaform
Hylaform Gel is based on a natural substance, a polysaccharide called hyaluronan, which is found throughout the human body. One of the functions of hyaluronan is to help keep the skin moist and elastic.
Hylaform works in the same way as collagen, and is injected under the surface of the skin to fill out and smooth away lines, wrinkles, acne scars and other facial indentations. The main difference between Hylaform and Collagen is that there is no need to carry out a skin test with Hylaform so treatment can be started immediately.
As with Collagen, Hylaform Gel is gradually broken down and absorbed by the body, just like the natural hyaluronan found in the body. This means that follow up treatments will be required about 2-3 times a year to keep your new look fresh.