Can recurring saline solution injections build collagen?

Question

I had hyaluronidase damage to my frontal cheeks after disliking filler injections. I read another persons question on this site who also had hyaluronidase damage and said that her tissues did not repair itself over time. she said that her doctor made a 6 week plan to get recurring saline injections to build collagen in that area and has shown improvement. Is this possible?

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

First, let me say that I am sorry that you are having this problem in the first place. As to your question, it is possible for repeated saline injections to promote new collagen synthesis. This is likely due mostly to the repeated microbruising that is caused physically by the injections themselves, and it is the blood accumulation under the skin, via the innate growth and wound healing factors contained in the blood, that the collagen production is stimulated. In this regard, this is very much the same concept as in subcision. While is possible for improvement using this approach, especially when there is not a great deal of atrophy, it is unlikely to remedy the problem entirely in more severe cases. For those, properly performed hyaluronic acid filler injections, by an experienced board certified injector, are more likely to lead to gratifying results. Make sure that you properly vet your next physician before agreeing to proceed. Best of luck. .

Muhammad Mirza, MD (license suspended) · Answer

I appreciate you asking this question, and I’m sorry to hear that you’ve had this issue. Since I haven’t consulted with you in-person, I can’t accurately assess the damage that occurred. However, for hyaluronidase damage, I would recommend a collagen stimulating filler, such as Sculptra.
For a comprehensive answer, you should speak to your doctor about the possible solutions he or she would recommend.
All the best in health and beauty! And thank you for a thought-provoking question.

Roger Tsai, MD · Answer

Great question!  Saline itself does not promote any collagen growth.  The repeated trauma of injections could create some scar tissue but in the end it probably will not make much of a difference.  You may need precise filler injections to fill in the indentation left from the hyaluronidase.  Seek an experienced injector for an in person consultation to help you with your situation.
Best of luck and hope this information helps!
- Dr. Roger Tsai  
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

Unfortunately recurrent saline (salt water) injections may not lead to significant collagen formation. Consider re-asking your question with photos demonstrating the issue you see after hyaluronidase injections. If there are visible indentations, this may be improved, depending on your exam. Wishing you well. Dr Joseph

Michael S. Mall, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question: a few things that can be done to increase collagen production. As you know fillers (Sculptra, Radiesse, and Bellafill are collagen stimulators, which is an immediate gratification. I also suggest a series of laser, as well radio frequency treatments

Chadi Dahabra, MD · Answer

Mechanical : such as microneedlong
RF : mainly thru heating as Venus legacy or RF microneedling
Collagen stimulating fillers as Sculptra,Radiesse,or Bellafill
Specific Skin care products
Oral Collagen intake
Best is combination Therapy.
Hope this helps.
Chadi Dahabra MD

Deborah Kessler Hudak, MD, MHA · Answer

Great question.  The only mechanism action that saline injections could conceivably lead to building of collagen is via the needle trauma of the injection triggering a response to "heal the needle trauma site!" by the body.  It makes significantly more sense to inject a BIOSTIMULATORY agent, such as Sculptra or Radiesse or BellaFill, all which are proven to very significantly increase the normal rate of production of TWO kinds of collagen, each!!!    Patients see improvement in BOTH revolumizing of facial structures AND skin texture improvements!!!
I hope that helps you.  At the end of the day, it is all about ROOT CAUSES of aging and MECHANISMS OF ACTION of the proposed treatment options.

Erik Suh, MD · Answer

Here is a partial list of what you can do to increase collagen production in your skin. 
fillers - Sculptra or Bellafill are collagen stimulating fillers you can try. 
microneeding - this is the same as you trying to needle your skin to stimulate collagen growth.  The normal saline is not going to stimulate collagen.  Your body is full of normal saline already and you don't see lot of collagen growth everywhere. 
laser / RF devices -  heating up the skin above certain tempature using these devices will stimulate collagen production.  
Hope this list helps you to make your decision on how you want to go about making more collagen for your skin.

Jeffrey Scott, DO · Answer

There is no good clinical evidence to support this claim. I agree with some answers that in theory it might in a hypertonic solution concentrated enough is used to cause inflammation. However, hypertonic saline often burns when injected in the dermal/subdermal space. Your money and results would be far better utilized on products like sculptra, radiesse, microneedling with RF and of course good skin care that focuses on a retinol and growth factor stimulators

Gina Mantor, MD · Answer

Recurrent Saline Injections would be a way to stimulate your body's own inflammatory cascade to build collagen, though I do not consider it a routine standard treatment, myself. We actually use hypertonic saline which has a higher concentration of sodium in it to cause the body to react to the point of scarring down small spider veins in the procedure of sclerotherapy.  In addition, the repetitive trauma of injections themselves actually causes stimulation of collagen production, just as seen in microneedling.  So, though, I don't think that is what I'd likely recommend for you, to answer your question, it could, theoretically, help. Sorry you are going through this, and I hope it gets corrected quickly for you.

Can recurring saline solution injections build collagen?

Answers (18)

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