Benefits (and Side Effects) of Collagen Injections

You’ve carried collagen in your body since birth. But as you age, your body’s collagen production tapers off and eventually stops.

At that point, collagen injections or fillers can become an option. They restore your skin’s natural collagen. Besides softening wrinkles, collagen can fill in skin indentations and noticeably diminish the look of scars.

This piece will examine the advantages (and potential downsides) of collagen injections, and compare them with other cosmetic skin treatments. Keep reading to learn what to consider before you decide to plump.

What are the benefits of collagen injections?

Collagen is the skin’s most prevalent protein. It’s present in bones, cartilage, skin, and tendons.

Collagen injections (commercially known as Bellafill) are a cosmetic treatment that involves injecting collagen — typically derived from bovine (cow) sources — beneath the skin.

Possible advantages include:

They can replace your skin’s natural collagen

As collagen breaks down with age, injections can restore your body’s original collagen reserve.

Because collagen largely determines skin elasticity, restoring it can yield a more youthful look.

One study examined 123 individuals who received human collagen in the furrows between their brows for a year. Researchers reported that 90.2 percent of participants were satisfied with their results.

Collagen injections also lessen wrinkles in other facial areas, including the:

• nose
• eyes (crow’s feet)
• mouth (frown lines)
• forehead

They can reduce the appearance of scars

Soft-tissue fillers like collagen are well suited to improving the look of depressed (sunken) or hollow scars.

Bovine collagen is injected beneath the scar to encourage collagen formation and lift the skin depression caused by the scar.

They can plump the lips

Collagen lip fillers increase lip fullness and volume.

Although they were once among the most frequently used lip fillers, hyaluronic acid (HA)–based fillers have gained greater popularity.

HA is a naturally occurring, gel-like molecule in the body that helps retain skin moisture. Like collagen, it adds volume to the lips and can smooth vertical lines above the lips (nasolabial folds).

However, unlike collagen, HA is temporary and is gradually broken down by the body.

Bellafill vs. Sculptra

Bellafill

• Bellafill is the sole collagen filler available in the United States. It is also the only filler the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved for treating scars.
• It’s composed of bovine collagen and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) microspheres. The formula also includes lidocaine, a local anesthetic to reduce discomfort during the procedure.
• The PMMA microspheres remain in place, providing a scaffold that encourages your body to generate its own collagen.

Sculptra Aesthetic

• Sculptra Aesthetic is not a collagen filler but a collagen stimulator whose main component is poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA).
• The PLLA microparticles prompt your body to produce collagen after they are absorbed. This new collagen rebuilds the skin gradually, leading to firmer-looking skin over time.
• Most people need three injection sessions spaced over 3 to 4 months, though this varies. Depending on how much collagen has been lost, additional treatments may be necessary.
• Sculptra Aesthetic can last up to 2 years or until the synthetic PLLA is naturally degraded by the body.

Where on your body can collagen be injected?

Collagen injections aren’t limited to a single use.

Besides softening multiple facial areas, they can add volume to:

• lips
• cheeks
• acne scars
• stretch marks

Regarding the last item, collagen plays a greater role in stretch marks than you might assume.

Stretch marks occur when skin stretches or contracts too rapidly — due to pregnancy, growth spurts, sudden weight gain or loss, or intense muscle growth.

When that happens, collagen fibers in the skin can rupture, producing uneven scars.

Injecting collagen into stretch-marked areas helps the skin repair itself and appear smoother.

How long do collagen injections last?

Collagen injections are considered long-lasting, with results reported to persist for up to 5 years. This contrasts with HA fillers, which are temporary and usually last about 3 to 6 months.

May last longer the more you have

In some situations, results can extend with additional collagen injections.

For instance, one study reported that benefits lasted roughly 9 months after the first injection, 12 months after the second, and 18 months after the third.

Location may affect how long results last

Other factors influencing longevity include the injection site and the material used. Examples include:

• For facial wrinkle smoothing, touch-ups may be needed several times a year.
• For scar improvement, you might only need one to two visits annually, depending on severity.
• Lip enhancements may require repeat treatments every 3 months.

Effects from collagen injections are immediate, though full results can take a week or even several months to appear.

This is a significant advantage for those who want to leave their plastic surgeon’s or dermatologist’s office looking more refreshed and youthful.

What are the side effects of collagen injections?

Because a skin test is administered and observed for a week before injecting collagen, serious allergic reactions are uncommon.

A skin test is particularly important when using bovine collagen to avoid triggering allergies.

However, as with any cosmetic intervention, side effects can occur. These include:

• skin redness
• skin discomfort, including swelling, bleeding, and bruising
• infection at the injection site
• skin rash with itching
• possible scarring
• lumps
• wound on the face if the injection inadvertently enters a blood vessel (rare)
• blindness if the injection is too close to the eye area (also rare)

You may also be unhappy with the cosmetic outcome.

Asking detailed questions in advance and bringing a reference photo of your desired look can be helpful.

What other dermatological options are available for skin issues like wrinkles or scarring?

Collagen supplements

Studies indicate that collagen supplements and peptides can slow aspects of aging by boosting skin elasticity and hydration.

Research has shown that taking a collagen supplement with 2.5 grams daily for 8 weeks produced meaningful improvements.

The main difference between supplements and injections is speed: injections deliver immediate effects, while supplements build results gradually over time. If you want more background on oral options and the science behind them, see our collagen benefits guide.

Injectable fat

Microlipoinjection, or fat grafting, reuses the body’s own fat by harvesting it from one area and injecting it into another.

It’s commonly used to enhance the look of:

• aging hands
• sun-damaged skin
• scars

This approach typically involves fewer allergy concerns compared with collagen, since the patient’s own fat is used.

Facial fillers

Botox is well-known, but it’s not the only anti-aging option.

Currently, dermal fillers containing hyaluronic acid are widely used in the United States.

Compared with collagen injections, HA fillers generally last for a shorter period but are considered a safer choice.

Key takeaways

Collagen fillers offer a long-lasting route to more youthful-looking skin. They smooth wrinkles, improve scar appearance, and can add lip volume.

Because of allergy risks, they’ve largely been replaced by safer (though shorter-lived) alternatives on the market.

When choosing where to receive collagen injections, be sure to:

• Select a certified healthcare professional who routinely performs the procedure.
• Ask to see before-and-after photos from other patients.
• Understand that multiple sessions may be needed to achieve your desired outcome.

Ultimately, the choice to get fillers is yours, so take the time to explore your options thoroughly.