Dissolving Collagen Fillers: Enzymatic Degradation of Some Problematic Filler Circumstances May Now Include Collagens

December 2009 | Volume 8 | Issue 12 | Case Reports | 1140 | Copyright © December 2009


William D. Tutrone MD and Joel L. Cohen MD

Abstract
The market for non-permanent fillers has grown dramatically over the past years. Even though hyaluronic acid fillers and collagen are forgiving, complications, albeit rare, still occur. Up to now, a necessary element of any dermatologic surgeons’ office is a hyaluronidase in case one of these complications should occur. However, these agents will only work on hyaluronic acid fillers leaving any problem with collagen products to be resolved by other means. Later this year the first collagenase could be approved for usage in specific medical conditions; at that time it will, perhaps, complement its hyaluronidase counterpart.