Hyaluronic Acid vs. Collagen - A Growing Debate

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Author: Jana Willinger

Article source: http://www.ocflair.com/. Used with author's permission.

The debate continues as to whether Hyaluronic acid or collagen is the best option for facial injections. However, research shows that Hyaluronic acid is rapidly becoming the facial injection of choice.

Hyaluronic acid facial injection, Restylane, is one of only two FDA approved injections for the treatment of facial wrinkles around the nose and mouth. The other two are the collagen injection for correcting soft tissue deficiencies such as wrinkles and acne scars and botulinum toxin (Botox) for treating frown lines between the eyebrows. However, in a pivotal clinical study of Hyaluronic acid, results indicated that Hyaluronic acid is a safer and more effective option than collagen.

The clinical study included 138 patients who received the Restylane Hyaluronic acid injection on one side of the face and bovine collagen injections on the other side. Most patients in the studies required one injection, while one third needed more than one injection. The Hyaluronic acid injection produced a lower incidence of redness than the collagen injections.

Further research indicates that the possibility of allergic reactions in patients who use Hyaluronic acid is much lower than in patients who use collagen. Allergic reactions are possible in 3% to 4% of patients who use collagen and very, very rarely in patients who receive Hyaluronic acid injections. The reason lies in the fact that injectable collagen is derived from animals principally from cow hides and pig skins. Hyaluronic acid injections are not animal derived and thus do not contain animal protein which can cause allergic reactions in humans.

Lastly, Hyaluronic acid injections last much longer than collagen injections. Hyaluronic acid injections can last for as long as 6-12 months while collagen only lasts for about 3-4 months. Thus, between increased safety, effectiveness and results, it appears as if Hyaluronic acid is poised to become the wrinkle filler, lip plumper and fine line killer of choice in today's highly competitive cosmetic surgery market.