What is the difference between collagen and hyaluronic acid?  
 Can Botox® be used for the lines around the mouth? 
 What can be done for sun damage on my chest and décolleté? 
 What laser works best for stretch marks? 

 What is the difference between collagen and hyaluronic acid?

Collagen is a protein found in our skin. Injected collagen was until recently of bovine origin, requiring two skin tests to ensure that the recipient is not allergic to it. Now collagen from human origin is available.

Hyalouronic acid is also a constituent of our skin, providing both structure and hydration. It is not a protein but a complex type of sugar molecule, and so it doesn’t induce allergic reactions. The practical importance of this is that skin tests are not required, saving time as well as money to the patient. It has been shown in studies to be significantly longer lasting in the skin than collagen and can be injected into the same areas. We have been waiting for the pending FDA approval to start using it here in the US.

Having seen the results out of Europe, I can’t wait to start using it. The product in the US will be marketed under the name Restylane.

 Can Botox® be used for the lines around the mouth?

The current indications for BOTOX® are for use for the frown lines of the eyebrows and forehead. However, Botox has been shown to produce a nice softening of the smoker’s lines when injected in very tiny amounts. It can also be used to gently elevate the corners of the lips that tend to point down with
age, and can soften the lines on the neck often found in women in their forties and older. 
The current FDA approval applies to the upper face only, but we hope that soon.. well, you know what I am thinking.

 What can be done for sun damage on my chest and décolleté?

This is a very important cosmetic area for women and should be treated for aging and sun damage. First, a combination of Vitamin A derivative creams such as Retin-A, Glycolic Acid creams and bleaching creams containing Hydroquinone is used. This regimen will start minimizing brown pigmentation and fine lines. Next, the Alexandrite laser can take out any brown age spots, and non-ablative laser treatment with the Pulse Dye laser eliminate red blotchy marks as well as stimulate the skin to produce new, healthy collagen, thus improving any age and sun-induced furrows. Microdermabrasion helps smooth the skin and restore its even, healthy glow. All this is very important, since it doesn’t look appealing to have the facial skin of a young person with the décolleté of a much older one.

 What laser works best for stretch marks?

The Pulse Dye laser has been used for many years now for these stubborn lines. Not only does it work well for the fresh, reddish stretch marks following for example childbirth, but it often does improve the older, white colored ones remaining after weight loss and other events. Some lasers work by trying to repigment the white areas of the marks. The Pulse Dye laser likely works by stimulating new collagen production in the stretch mark, similar to its effect on scars.