In the human body, collagen fibers are woven together in the skin and eventually start to deteriorate over time. When collagen is injected, it augments the rest of the natural collagen, filling in the places where the collagen has deteriorated. When injected into the body, collagen makes the skin more elastic and plump, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and scars and evening out the skin’s tone and texture.

Collagen injection treatment takes anywhere between 30 and 60 minutes, and the procedure is fairly straightforward. A doctor at an office or clinic uses a syringe containing either 1 cc or 2.5 cc’s of collagen and makes small injections in the specified area. The syringes cost between $350 and $500 per cc of collagen, so the cost of collagen treatment is usually more than that.

Although collagen injection is safer than other similar procedures, since collagen naturally exists in the body, there are still several risks in undergoing collagen injection. You should have all the information about collagen risks before undergoing the collagen procedure. Some of possible side effects of collagen treatment include swelling, bruising, itching or redness at the injection site; scarring or peeling skin; bacterial infection; and allergic reactions to either the collagen or the lidocaine for those who are allergic to bovine products or anesthesia.

Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding, people with severe allergies and anyone with autoimmune disease should not receive collagen injections, as they are not approved by the FDA due to their increased risk factors. Claims that collagen treatments are linked to the development of autoimmune disease are under investigation.