What are Collagen Stimulators?

Collagen stimulators help to rebuild the collagen framework by encouraging your body to build its own collagen. Unlike the fillers the effect is not immediate and may take 6 months to achieve the maximum effect.

Collagen stimulators are suitable to treat the naso-labial folds (lines from the nose to the mouth), wrinkles in the cheek and chin area, sunken cheeks and jowls.

On average, people require 3 collagen stimulator treatments to achieve volume replacement.

 

Can anyone have Collagen Stimulators?

Like most cosmetic procedures women who are breast feeding, pregnant or trying to conceive are not suitable candidates. People with known sensitivity to the active ingredients and people with autoimmune conditions are unable to have collagen stimulators. Collagen stimulators are intended for people with healthy immune systems.

Collagen Stimulators should not be used if there is any infection in the area being injected.

The risk of bruising is increased if you are taking anything that reduces blood clotting. Deep injections into the cheek or temples, in particular, are not recommended if you are taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, omega 3 oils (fish oil, krill oil, flaxseed oil, chia seeds), ginkgo biloba,  large amounts of green tea or anything else high in omega three oils.

 

Do I need to do anything before coming to the appointment?

a. Ensure that you state that you wish to have a collagen stimulator as the product needs to be prepared, in advance, especially for you.

b. Avoid omega 3 oils, aspirin, ginkgo biloba and large amounts of green tea for 2 weeks before the procedure unless you require these for medical reasons. Please discuss with your medical practitioner if this is the case.

c. Ensure that your face is free of infection including pimples in the area to be injected.

d. Come to the appointment calm and cool as this will reduce the risk of bruising. It is recommended that you do not have alcohol prior to injections due to the increased risk of bruising.

e. Plan the timing of your treatment to fit in with your work and social commitments. Although every care is taken to minimize the risk of bruising, bruising can occur. It is best to assume that you may have a bruise (or swelling of the lips if they are being injected) and plan accordingly.

f. Having collagen stimulator injections is a medical procedure and it is therefore important to be able to access medical care, if required, in the days following the treatment. We strongly advise that you avoid travel for a week after the proceedure.

 

What can I expect during my consultation?

a. Firstly, after completing a medical questionnaire, any medical issues that are relevant to your treatment will be discussed.

b. The injecting specialist will then do a facial assessment and ascertain what you hope to achieve with the treatment.

c. A treatment plan will be completed and discussed. This will take into account your needs and desires regarding outcomes and budget.

d. Photographs to record your before treatment appearance are important to enable us to assess the success of your treatment. Everyone is different and responds differently, so this enables us to tailor the treatment to you specifically and monitor your progress.

e. The injections are performed using a very fine needle or canula. With most treatments, no pain relief is required except ice. You can request an aesthetic gel if you prefer and a local anaesthetic injection is used with canula treatments.

We have developed a low to no pain technique of injecting and our clients frequently comment on how gentle we are. Please advise us prior to your appointment if you require gel as it takes 45 to 60 minutes to be effective and would need to be applied before your scheduled appointment.

 

Can I go out or back to work after the treatment?

Many people return to work after the procedure however, there may be a little redness, swelling, bruising and/or needle marks. We recommend that you do not apply makeup for 24 hours unless you have new unopened mineral makeup to apply.  There is a risk of infection with using opened makeup.

 

Do I need to avoid or do anything after treatment?

a. Following collagen stimulator injections it is necessary to massage the area firmly and regularly.

5 minutes, five times a day for the first 5 days.

Then five minutes once a day for 1 month.

This is very important as it keeps the small particles that have been injected evenly distributed under the skin ensuring that the result is even and an area does not become overstimulated by a collection of particles resulting in nodules or lumps.

b. Keep the area clean to reduce the risk of infection.

c. Avoid alcohol for 24 hours to reduce the risk of bruising.

 

Do Collagen Stimulators work immediately?

Unlike the fillers the effect is not immediate, however you should see some improvement after six weeks. It may take 6 months to achieve the maximum effect.

 

How long do Collagen Stimulators last?

Collagen Stimulators last from 12 to 24 months. On average people have an initial treatment course of 3 injection sessions to replace accumulated volume loss and then maintain it with one vial per year.

 

What are the potential side effects?

As with all medications and medical procedures, side effects may occur.

The most common side effects with collagen stimulators include bleeding, tenderness or pain, itching, redness, swelling and bruising at the site of the injections. These effects usually resolve within 2 to 14 days.

One possible delayed side effect of collagen stimulators can be small bumps/lumps under the skin. These bumps may not be visible, and you may only notice them if you press on the skin. They tend to develop within the first 6 -12 months after the first treatment. These bumps may resolve themselves or require some treatment. Visible bumps, sometimes associated with redness and colour change to the treated area have also been reported.

As with all procedures involving an injection through the skin there is a small risk of infection.