(Call to RSVP) January 27, 2009  Warren Ohio Januarly 29, 2009  Canfield Ohio February 10, 2009  Pepper Pike Ohio February 12, 2009  Westlake, Ohio February 24, 2009  Hudson, Ohio February 26, 2009  Akron, Ohio Dr. Gentile Speaking Engagements January 8-11, 2009 International Master Course on Aging Skin Paris, France April 3 2009 American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery Annual Meeting National Harbor, Maryland June 11-15, 2009 Advances in Rhinoplasty Seattle, Washington

Collagen is a natural protein connective tissue within our skin, occurring most often with elastin. In youth, collagen is abundant and provides a smooth appearance, but as we age this building-block of skin deteriorates. With the loss of collagen in our epidermal structure, the skin begins to sag, creating depressions and other undesirable facial features. One of the more noticeably depleted features are the lips, which lose their curvy shape and lay flat against the skin. Over time the lips deflate, and lines and wrinkles envelop the mouth. Replenishing with collagen can restore youth and beauty to the face by plumping up these diminished areas.

Collagen Restoration For Lips and Skin

There are two main types of collagen, using either bovine- or human-based materials. During consultation, each of these materials are discussed at length. Most often, the bovine-based filler is used, but some patients have allergies to this compound. You may be asked to undergo a pre-allergy test to ensure your safety by determining any sensitivities.

Collagen injections are performed on an outpatient basis and do not require sedation or anesthesia. Dr. Gentile however may numb the pre-treated areas with a topical anesthetic or cooling gel pack. After prepping for the collagen treatments, Dr. Gentile will administer facial injections to the areas discussed at your consultation. The appointment will last 30-60 minutes and the results are immediate. Although some minor post-procedural swelling and bruising may occur, there's minimal recovery or downtime. Basically, you step into your doctor's office for treatment and step right back into your life!

Sometimes, collagen injections are part of a larger cosmetic restoration process, and are performed in conjunction with a facial plastic surgery or skin repairing procedure. The brow lift, mid-facelift, lower facelift, traditional facelift, laser skin resurfacing and microdermabrasion treatments may also involve collagen injections. In these instances, you will generally be placed under anesthesia for the more extensive facial cosmetic treatment.

Collagen Dermal Fillers

Cosmetic dermal fillers are composed of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance in your skin that helps add volume and hydration. Injectable hyaluronic acid also attracts and binds water, helping maintain fullness in the areas of injection. Dermal fillers may be used in an array of treatments ideal for correcting the signs of aging or adding natural contours to the face. Benefits may last six months or longer.

Restylane is a hyaluronic acid gel produced by bacteria used for treating facial wrinkles and folds. It is a non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid (NASHA), so-named because it is not derived from animal sources. When injected into wrinkled skin, Restylane adds fullness and reduces wrinkles in the injected area.

Juvederm is a smooth-consistency hyaluronic acid gel. The physician eases this injectable gel under the skin to instantly restore volume and smooth away wrinkles and folds. Juvederm eases facial creases like the nasolabial fold “parentheses” running from the bottom of your nose to the corners of your mouth.

Radiesse uses a calcium-based microsphere technology to deliver soft and natural-looking results. It also stimulates the body to produce new collagen, and continue that more youthful and attractive look over time. Radiesse helps correct oral commissures, “marionette” facial lines extending down from either side of the mouth. These can create a serious or sad expression, even when your face is at rest. For many patients, the benefits of treatment with Radiesse can last a year or more.

Sculptra is a synthetic biocompatible lactic acid material (similar to that produced by exercising muscles), used to improve the appearance of aging skin folds, indented chin surfaces, hollowed cheeks and sunken eyes. Sculptra works to gradually produce increasing thickness of the skin, and can provide up to 80% improvement in treated areas. Sculptra results are fully evident in three to six treatment sessions and last up to two years.

Candidates for Collagen Facial Injections

Although any adult can receive collagen injections, the majority of patients are 35 to 60 years old. Patients between these ages show signs of aging, but still retain the flexibility of the skin essential for the best results. Younger patients may not show progressive weathering of the skin, but wish to enhance their upper, lower, or entire set of lips. Patients will need to revisit Dr. Gentile's office every four to six months for touch-up treatments, as collagen provides only a temporary remedy to small lips and facial wrinkles.

Benefits and Possible Risks

If collagen injections are performed by a trained facial plastic surgeon, the lips will no longer appear aged and wrinkled but fuller, more curvaceously appealing without looking fake or overdone. When evenly-spaced injections of the correct amounts of collagen are used, the result is an even fullness of the lips. Forehead lines, crow's feet, wrinkles around the lips and mouth, even indentations from scars—all can be dramatically improved or eliminated.