TEN INDICATIONS FOR USING COLLAGEN

1 FROWN LINES     2 ACNE SCARS   3 CHEEK DEPRESSION   4 VERTICAL LIP LINES   5 MARIONETTE LINES

6  WORRY LINES   7  CROW'S FEET   8  DEEP SMILE LINES   9  SMILE LINES   10 FACIAL SCARS

	You wake up one morning and look in the mirror. Suddenly you notice facial lines that just weren't there yesterday. Superficial creams may help, but by tomorrow the lines will appear again. Just treating the surface doesn't get to the root of the problem. However, there is a program that does. Collagen Replacement therapy. A medically supervised program using Zyderm® and Zyplast® Collagen Implants. It's a safe, non-surgical approach that replaces the skin's natural collagen and smooths out facial lines. These lines are caused by the wearing down of your skin's natural collagen. Collagen Replacement Therapy helps to smooth facial lines on the surface of the skin by supplementing the collagen under the skin. What Is Collagen? The skin is your body's largest organ. It's also the most visible. And, as you may know, it consists of two layers. The uppermost layer, called the epidermis, serves to control the loss of water from cells and tissue. Without this protective barrier, the body would quickly dehydrate. Just beow the epidermis lies the second layer, the dermis. The dermis is primarily made up of a protein called "collagen." This protein forms a network of fibers that provides a framework for the growth of cells and blood vessels. Because it is the primary component of the dermis, collagen acts as the support structure for the skin. Why Do Lines Appear? In young skin, the collagen framework is intact and the skin remains moisturized and elastic. It's resilient to the many facial expressions we adopt as well as everyday wear and tear. But over time the support structure weakens and the skin loses its elasticity. The skin begins to lose its tone as the collagen support wears down. Every time you smile, frown or squint, you put stress on the collagen in your skin. The effect of these facial expressions is cumulative and facial lines begin to appear. Aren't Creams Containing Collagen Enough To Smooth Out Lines? Collagen creams work only on the skin's surface. A moisturizer with or without collagen cannot penetrate the skin and is not designed to be absorbed. No moisturizer can undo the cumulative effect of collagen loss. Creams primarily slow the rate of water loss from the skin and help keep the skin supple. How Was Collagen Replacement Therapy Developed? The medical use of collagen dates back decades to when animal collagen was used in surgical sutures. Continued research led to the wide use of collagen in a number of applications including heart valves and as an agent to help stop bleeding during surgery. A group of biochemists and physicians at Stanford University experimented with alternative materials for skin grafts.Their research pioneered the concept of purifying animal collagen so it could be used to replace lost tissue. Years of research by Collagen Corporation led to the develpment of Zyderm® and Zyplast ® Collagen Implants which are used today by healthcare professionals. Collagen Replacement Therapy is a non-surgical treatment in which Zyderm and Zyplast Collagen Implants are placed into the skin on a maintenance schedule. This is intended to provide an immediately, visible difference in your face. More that 950,000 people in 28 countries have been treated with collagen injections, including more than 650,000 in North America. Some treated patients, however, have reported adverse events which are described in the risks section of this page. How Does Collagen Replacement Therapy Work? Collagen Replacement Therapy replenishes the skin's natural collagen. The natural appearance of your skin may be enhanced as the contour of the support structure is restored. Zyderm® and Zyplast® Collagen are natural substances that replace the collagen your skin loses over time. Derived from purified bovine (cow) collagen, Zyderm ® and Zyplast® Collagen are placed just beneath the skin where the body commonly accepts them as its own. Collagen is available only through trained healthcare professionals. By supplementing your skin's own collagen, Collagen Replacement Therapy™ helps smooth facial lines as well as most types of scars. What Can I Expect With Collagen Replacement Therapy? From this proven, non-surgical treatment, you may obtain immediate results. You can have your Collagen Replacement Therapy during a lunch hour. It's that easy. It's important to discuss with your physician exactly what you can expect from each treatment. Together, you can prioritize which areas are most important to you, and discuss how many treatments you may need and the estimated cost. It's important to know that one treatment may not fully correct every line on your face. Full correction requires continued treatments. How Many Treatments Will I Need? Just like your natural collagen, injectable collagen begins to lose its form and will eventually wear down. Full correction occurs and is maintained only with a series of treatments. Depending on age, skin condition and amount of sun damage, your treatment program will be tailored to incorporate your individual needs. How Do I Find Out If Collagen Replacement Therapy Is Right For Me? Start by asking your physician about a skin test. It's a simple test in your forearm to determine if you are sensitive to Zyderm® or Zyplast® Collagen Implants. You must watch the area very carefully over a four week period. Approximately 97% of men and women tested show no reaction to the skin test and can be treated. Before taking the skin test, you and your physician will discuss your medical history, the risks and benefits of treatment, and the specific areas you want treated. Collagen Replacement Therapy™ is not appropriate for certain lines and scars or in the presence of certain medical conditions. It is very important to discuss and understand what Collagen Replacement Therapy can do for you. After you and your physician decide on a treatment plan that is right for you, you can begin your Collagen Replacement Therapy Program. THAT'S THE BEAUTY OF COLLAGEN If you would like more information about Collagen Replacement Therapy, please contact our office for an appointment.