Collagen
Collagen is the most common as well as the most established dermal filler on the market. Collagen is a naturally occurring protein within your skin body that keeps skin looking smooth and plump. Over time your natural collagen is reabsorbed by your body causing lines and folds to become more prominent.
Injectable collagen comes in two forms, Zyplast and Cosmoplast. Both forms of collagen can be used to fill facial lines and depressed scars. The most common usage is as a plumping agent to create fuller lips. Injectable collagen, like your own natural form, will eventually be reabsorbed by the body; however results should last three to four months.
Dr Franco prefers to use collagen to plump up lips, smooth out nasolabial folds (commonly called mouth lines), and to fill in depressed scars.
What is Zyplast?
Zyplast is derived from purified bovine collagen. The purification process creates a product similar to human collagen. As this form of collagen is derived from an animal protein, there is a small risk of allergic reaction. Before Zyplast is dispensed for the first time, an allergy test is administered to reduce the chance of a reaction. Despite this slight risk, Zyplast is a safe and cost effective choice of dermal fillers with proven results.
What is Cosmoplast?
Cosmoplast is a newer product than Zyplast. It also is an FDA approved dermal filler containing human collagen. As this form of injectable collagen is non-animal based there is no need for an allergy test.
What to Expect
Dr. Franco is a Physician specializing in non-surgical cosmetic procedures. Dr. Franco, not a nurse or physician’s assistant, performs all injections. Each patient’s case is unique and a customized procedure plan is determined during a complimentary consultation with the doctor. The procedure can be performed immediately following a consultation or scheduled for another day.
Small amounts of the collagen are injected directly into areas where the body's own collagen has been weakened, raising the depressions to the level of the surrounding skin. The collagen is injected using a fine needle inserted at several points along the edge of the treatment site. In this way, lines and scars can be minimized, texture is improved, and the skin has a softer and more even tone. A topical anesthetic is applied prior to the injections to alleviate any pain. The procedure is simple and quick and results are visible almost immediately.
The procedure itself has little risk. Serious complications are rare. The most common reaction is very slight swelling, bruising, or redness. These effects should typically resolve themselves within two or three days. There is a very low risk of infection or contour irregularities.
Pricing
Collagen is priced per cc and is administered in 1 cc syringes.
The cost of Zyplast is $300* per cc.
$45 for a required allergy test if the patient has never been treated with Zyplast.
The cost of Cosmoplast is $425* per cc.
No allergy test is required
* There is now a fee increase of $5.00 plus 4% added to each transaction. This is Dr. Franco's first price increase in 14 years.