What is collagen?

Collagen is a protein that’s naturally found in the body, specifically in the skin, tendons, muscles and bones. Collagen can be found in both animals and humans. Collagen injections are used to replenish the supply of collagen that’s naturally found in the body.

Doctors developed cosmetic collagen in the 1970s, and early collagen treatments were made from collagen taken from cows. Today, there are many different types of collagen injections. Zyderm collagen injections are used for small, more superficial skin problems, such as smaller, lighter lines and wrinkles on the face. Zyplast collagen injections are used for places on the skin requiring stronger fills, like deeper scars, or places on the skin that receive a lot of exertion, like around the mouth. Other types of collagen injections include a person’s own fat, often used on the cheek, chin or lips, and silicone gel injections, which are unsafe and currently banned in the U.S.

The FDA recently approved a human-based collagen injection made from purified human collagen. The products are called CosmoDerm and CosmoPlast, and along with the sterilized collagen they also contain lidocaine, which numbs the injection site.

Visit the rest of the CollagenFaqs.com site to find out more about collagen treatments and whether collagen is right for you. Also, click on our affiliate links for more collagen information.