A non-animal derived treatment gives superior correction of facial wrinkles compared to bovine collagen.

It's possible to treat wrinkles by 'plumping' them up with injections of bovine collagen. But there may be a better solution around the corner. Researchers have compared the use of bovine collagen to non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid in the treatment of the lines that descend on either side of the nose. One side of the face was treated with collagen and the other with hyaluronic acid.

Six months on, 70 per cent of collagen-treated lines had returned to their pre-treatment position, compared to just 30 per cent of those treated with hyaluronic acid. The other advantage of hyaluronic acid - a natural molecule which is found in the body and used to provide fullness to the skin - is that, unlike bovine collagen, it does not produce allergies. Those opting for bovine collagen have to have a double allergy test before treatment can begin. There is also an increasing trend away from the use of animal-derived products in both medical and cosmetic products. The hyaluronic acid gel is already approved for wrinkle treatment in Europe, Canada and Australia. It is currently under consideration in the USA by the Food and Drug Administration.

Source

Dermatologic Surgery June 2003