Autologen - Uses and Procedure of applying Autologen

Autologen is a newer form of collagen injections. Unlike Collagen (derived from cows and trademarked) and Dermalogen (collagen derived from human tissue banks), Autologen comes from your own natural collagen.

Biological collagen is a protein of the skin's undersurface that deteriorates over time, causing depressions in the skin, such as wrinkles.

Here's how the procedure works. Your dermatologist removes from your lower hip an inch-long, football-shaped piece of skin that is then sent to the makers of Autologen.

They process the skin and send it back to the dermatologist in a syringe, ready for injection. The dermatologist is then able to fill scars and wrinkles with Autologen-your own skin's collagen.

(Alternatively, if you have a face-lift, the extra skin from the surgery can be sent to the makers of Autologen and made into injectable liquid collagen to fill in any wrinkles and lines at a later date.)

Injecting your own collagen virtually eliminates the risk of an allergic reaction. However, the procedure does leave a small scar on the hip.

This step of removing the piece of skin from your hip may one day be eliminated, as Autologen scientists hope to make Autologen using high-tech genetic engineering techniques. It is anticipated this new, improved Autologen will still have no risk of allergic reaction.

Autologen works best in the same places Collagen works-lines around the mouth and cheeks, and frown lines between the eyebrows.

Like Collagen, Autologen treatment is not permanent, but it may last longer because it comes from you. Repeated treatments are still needed to maintain its effects, and treatment frequency depends upon your skin type and environmental factors.