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Procedures Performed
  • Abdominoplasty
  • Breast Augmentation
  • Breast Lift
  • Breast Reduction
  • Liposuction
  • Face Lift
  • Neck Lift
  • Chemical Peel
  • Dermabrasion
  • Eyelid Surgery
  • Male Breast Reduction
  • Gynecomastia

 

Dr. Cruise serves the following areas:

  • Orange County,
  • Irvine,
  • Newport Beach,
  • San Diego,
  • Los Angeles,
  • Beverly Hills,
  • Southern California.

 

Collagen Injection

 

 

Overview of Collagen Injection

 

Many things within the field of plastic surgery are changing. One of the biggest changes is our understanding of what causes aging. First, we thought the process was mostly limited to skin and, therefore, most of the procedures were skin rearrangement procedures and tightening. Now, we know that aging actually involves all layers of the soft tissue within the face. Dr. Cruise has talked extensively on how facial aging is actually the result of fat loss and fat descent as well as muscle stretching.

 

Regarding collagen injection, what we are mostly concerned about, in terms of facial aging, is fat loss and fat descent as we get older. Where once we believed that all wrinkles were caused from skin stretching. Now, we know that many wrinkles as well as the general appearance of aging are caused by the volume loss of fat underneath the skin. Just like when you remove the volume (water) of a grape you are left with a wrinkled raisin. By reinjecting volume, i.e. collagen, many wrinkles can be eliminated or at least reduced.

 

There are many different types of collagen available to the plastic surgeon. Essentially, collagen is purified skin protein obtained from animals and made into an injectable form. While it is possible to have an allergic reaction to these, transmission of all their diseases has not been reported. The results can be very impressive, however, because it is not human collagen the body treats it like a foreign body and overtime reabsorbs it. Dr. Cruise has been using some of the latest collagens available that have been specially treated to delay reabsorbtion, still, eventually it will go away.

 

If it goes away, then why is collagen injection so popular? The reason is because it has many positive features. These are completely outlined in the benefits section but to describe it briefly, it is quick, almost painless, quite effective, predictable, and relatively inexpensive.

 

One of the most popular uses of the injectable collagen is lip augmentation. It does an excellent job of creating an enlarged, sexy, and more pouty appearance. Best of all, it can be adjusted to the size that the patient wants. Dr. Cruise will perform the injections and then have the patient look at himself/herself in a mirror to determine if more is necessary. This allows for a lot of fine-tuning.

 

Other areas were injectable collagen is particularly useful are the wrinkles of the forehead, around the eyes, and around the mouth. It has become a very popular procedure. It is an excellent way to see if you like the results. If you do, it is possible to have something more permanent such as fat injection. These are all possibilities you should discuss with Dr. Cruise during a consultation.