Collagen is a protein found in the connective tissue of the dermis, the lower layer of skin. In the early 1980s, collagen injections were the first FDA-approved facial filler for facial augmentation and to give skin a more youthful appearance.Â
Today, some doctors still use collagen fillers to target crow’s feet and other fine lines around the eyes, smooth smile lines (nasolabial folds) and frown lines, fill in atrophic acne scars, and plump thin lips. It can also improve skin's elasticity and overall texture.Â
When hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers like Juvéderm and Restylane arrived on the scene, collagen injections had some stiff competition. But the treatment still gets a high Worth It Rating from RealSelf members.
Your dermatologist may use one of these brands:Â
Some providers prefer bovine collagen (derived from cows) or porcine collagen (from pigs), because the body absorbs it more slowly than human collagen. BellaFill, which is made with a combination of synthetic microspheres and bovine ingredients, offers the longest-lasting results.Â
Some collagen fillers contain an anesthetic, like lidocaine, mixed into the formula for added comfort.
Pros
Cons
Related: Injectable Bruises? Been There. Here’s How to Handle Them Without Hiding Out.
Your cost will depend on the experience level of your doctor, their office location, the type of filler you get, and the amount of collagen you receive.
Like natural collagen, collagen replacements break down over time, so you’ll need maintenance treatments every one to five years. How long your results last will depend on the type of collagen filler you have and how your body metabolizes it.Â
Applying a high-SPF sunscreen daily may help prolong your filler results.
Topical collagen creams or gels won’t give you the same results as an injectable filler. They work only on the outermost layer of skin, and while they can help keep skin supple, they can’t replicate the effects of injected collagen.
You may want to consider these alternative dermal fillers.Â
While they’re not fillers, prescription retinoids, like Retin-A, are clinically proven to protect your skin from aging and slowly boost collagen.
Collagen injections and dermal fillers add or restore volume. They fill and plump skin, soften folds, and contour the face and jawline.Â
Neuromodulators like Botox, on the other hand, temporarily relax the muscles, to soften the appearance of “dynamic” fine lines and wrinkles (the ones that show up with movement) and prevent new ones from forming.
These two very different injectables are often used together, as they offer complementary benefits. Some providers call this combo a liquid facelift.
Updated June 13, 2023