Collagen Injections: Post-Op Instructions
Avoidance and Precautions:
We recommend that you do not consume any alcoholic beverages, MSG (monosodium glutamate) or exercise 24 hours after your treatment. It is best to avoid direct facial sun exposure for 1 week post-treatment. It is not advisable to undergo collagen treatments if you are allergic to beef / beef products or lidocaine, or if you suspect you are pregnant.
Common Occurrences Include:
Temporary bruising, swelling, redness, lumps, white streaks or bleeding.
Less Common Occurrences:
Certain skin types, especially with sun exposure, may develop post-inflammatory redness and / or brown patches (hyper-pigmentation) at the site of treatment. This is usually temporary and treatable.
Collagen Reactions:
Rare reactions include a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction, which may present with persistent redness, swelling, and tender lumps at sites of previous collagen injections. This allergic reaction is treatable and NOT permanent. It usually resolves in 6 to 12 months. It occurs in 1 to 2% of the patients despite one negative collagen test.
Cold Sores / Fever Blisters:
Collagen treatment may occasionally bring out a cold sore or fever blister. Patients who have recurrent facial cold sores or fever blisters may be treated with an antiviral medication. Possible risks, although uncommon, also include the activation of dormant herpes simplex infection of the lips and/or face which may cause a primary cold sore or fever blister after the treatment.