Collagen Injections: What They Do & What They Cost

Author

Dr. Stephen Cosentino

The body’s natural collagen production rates decline with age, eventually leading to noticeable facial volume loss. Before the advent of collagen-stimulating dermal fillers in the early 1980s, the only solutions were risky, costly surgical procedures that weren’t guaranteed to work.

Today, fillers that directly stimulate collagen production aren’t as popular as hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers, which temporarily add volume through a different process. But they remain a sensible choice for patients seeking longer-lasting results that look just as natural (if not more so).

Read on to learn what collagen injections do, how much they cost, and how to decide if they’re right for you.

Collagen Injection Cost: What to Expect

Dermal filler pricing varies widely depending on the type and brand of filler used, the amount needed, and the number of injection sites.

Bellafill® Injection Cost

There is only one “true” collagen filler approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in the United States. Known by the brand name Bellafill, it’s a formulation of bovine collagen, lidocaine, and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), a biostable synthetic microbead that provides shape and structure for the collagen.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of a single Bellafill syringe is $1,058. This per-syringe cost varies by provider and can change over time based on manufacturer and provider pricing. Most collagen filler procedures require more than one syringe, so your per-procedure cost could be significantly higher.

Costs for Other Collagen-Stimulating Fillers

Two other types of collagen filler don’t contain collagen but do stimulate collagen production after injection: calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHa) and poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA). Popular examples available in the U.S. include Radiesse and Sculptra, respectively.

CaHa and PLLA fillers are somewhat more affordable than PMMA fillers. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost for a single Radiesse syringe is $717, while the average cost for a single Sculptra syringe is $853. Again, these prices are averages only, vary by provider, and don’t account for multiple syringes per procedure.

Collagen Injection Results: What They Do

Like other soft tissue fillers, collagen fillers add volume around the injection sites. They can also temporarily reduce or eliminate the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles, such as nasolabial folds and marionette lines.

The duration of desired results varies by filler type. CaHa fillers like Radiesse® generally last for 12 months or longer, and many patients report satisfaction for 18 to 24 months. PMMA fillers like Sculptra last a bit longer, typically around 2 years. Bellafill lasts longest of all: anywhere from two to five years, depending on patient-specific factors.

As results fade, the patient must decide whether to pursue another round of the same treatment, switch to a different filler type or brand, or investigate more permanent solutions like plastic surgery. In any case, to reduce the risk of serious side effects and complications, patients seeking collagen filler treatment should always work with a board-certified medical specialist, such as a dermatologist or plastic surgeon, who has completed an accredited dermal filler training course.