A collagen facial is a beauty care treatment that uses collagen protein to revitalize the skin. Collagen is a naturally occurring protein that is found in the skin, tissues and bones; in the skin, it is found in the lower dermis layers, and is responsible for maintaining skin structure and strength. A collagen facial attempts to retard the aging process by replenishing the skin's natural proteins by external application.
At the start of the collagen facial, the skin is thoroughly cleaned with a cleanser and is then exfoliated. Skin exfoliation involves scrubbing the skin manually with various facial scrubs or applying a chemical scrub to remove dead skin cells from the skin surface. Exfoliating the skin regularly keeps it clean and the unclogged, helping to ward off acne.
The next step, after cleansing and exfoliation, is to massage the skin well with a concentrated collagen cream. Instead of a commercially purchased facial cream, a fruit pulp mix of avocado and kiwi fruit can also be used as a collagen facial mask. The applied mask is left on for about 30 minutes, and wiped off with a wet cloth. The face is then washed clean with warm water. Regular collagen facials can help keep the skin looking radiant and attractive. In addition, using a collagen facial moisturizer at night can also improve the skin appearance.
Another type of beauty treatment is the use of facial collagen injections. This involves supplementing the skin's natural collagen by injecting human-derived or bovine-derived collagen into the dermis layer. Improvement is seen within days with the vanishing of wrinkle lines, and the emergence of a smoother skin and fuller lips.
The procedure is low cost, takes only about an hour or less, does not require any overnight hospital stay or long recovery, and is said to be quite safe. It is essential, however, to consult a competent cosmetic surgeon before undergoing this treatment. Some people can have allergic reactions to the collagen used, or may have certain health conditions, such as pregnancy or an autoimmune system disease, which may be adversely impacted by these injections.
It is also advisable to do a skin patch test for the collagen facial. Allergic breakouts are possible here too, and there can also be some side effects like skin reddening, bruising, peeling and itching. There is a chance of open sores leading to skin infection. In such a case, it is advisable to contact a dermatologist immediately.