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Don’t Waste Time and Money: Successfully Boost Your Collagen Production without Creams

February 21, 2011 | Blog, Botox and Juvederm Injectables, Other, Skin Care, Skin Care Products

Have you been applying over-the-counter wrinkle creams every day, yet have no results to show for it?  New research, as reported by the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS), shows that collagen-containing wrinkle creams may not work like their labels promise.  The idea behind these creams seems promising: applying collagen to increase the skin’s elasticity and help treat wrinkles.  The problem is that the collagen molecules that are commonly found in these products are too large to penetrate the skin, so instead of reducing wrinkles, the collagen is washed away.  So if you aren’t seeing the results you thought you would with your current skin care products, you might consider some of these alternate ways to successfully add collagen to your skin, like Sculptra®.

Collagen is a protein naturally found in abundance within youthful tissues.  It increases elasticity and makes the skin look younger.  Collagen production slows with age:  causing the skin to sag and wrinkle.  Chemical peels and laser skin resurfacing treatments can help boost your collagen production.  Dermal injectables and facial fillers like Botox®, Juvederm®, Radiesse®, and Sculptra® can also help boost your collagen production, while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Although these types of facial rejuvenation products seem similar, they all offer something different.

Many assume that all cosmetic injectables and dermal fillers are the same, just labeled with different manufacturer names.  Even though the goal of these products are similar, their means are different.  For instance, Botox® Cosmetic and Dysport® dermal injectables work by relaxing the facial muscles that cause wrinkles between the eyes and on the forehead.  Facial filling products like Juvederm® and Radiesse® work by filling in deep wrinkles and furrows along with other areas of lost volume.

Sculptra® is most similar to the injectable products that fill in wrinkles, but different in that it actually stimulates the body’s own ability to produce collagen to help prevent more wrinkles from forming.  Unlike other fillers, three treatments spaced six to eight weeks apart are necessary to kick-start the body’s natural collagen production and optimize the results.  Additionally, Sculptra® can visibly reduce facial wrinkling and enhance skin elasticity for up to two years.

It’s hard to predict the results of over-the-counter facial rejuvenation products, but based on this new research, you shouldn’t expect much from topical collagen-infused creams.  AYA Medical Spa offers other facial rejuvenation treatments with results that are proven to effectively treat wrinkles and boost collagen production, such as chemical peels, laser resurfacing, and cosmetic injections.  For more information on our other services offered and skincare news, visit our website and read our blog.  Also find us on Twitter and Facebook for daily updates.