Equine Collagen Injections

Equine collagen injections use 100% type I collagen derived from horses — a high-purity, veterinary-grade alternative to bovine-derived collagen — to replenish the structural collagen matrix that diminishes with age. At AV Aesthetics, fine-needle subcutaneous injections deliver the collagen directly into the dermis of the face, neck, décolletage, or hands, where it may support skin elasticity, firmness, and wrinkle reduction. Emla topical anaesthetic is applied as standard to minimise sensation during injection. Results develop progressively over 2–3 applications spaced roughly 15 days apart, and may last up to 12 months from the final session.

Type I collagen is the primary structural protein of the skin's extracellular matrix. From the mid-twenties, the body's natural collagen production declines at roughly 1% per year, which is one of the main drivers of skin thinning, loss of elasticity, and the formation of deeper wrinkles. Injectable collagen therapy aims to supplement this deficit directly in the dermis — bypassing the limitations of topical collagen products, which cannot penetrate intact skin. The collagen used at AV Aesthetics is sourced from horses and is classified as 100% type I collagen. Equine-derived collagen is considered a veterinary-grade, bovine-alternative source with a well-documented safety profile in aesthetic medicine. It is introduced via fine-gauge needles into the subcutaneous layer of the target area, where it integrates into the existing connective tissue scaffold and may stimulate the resident fibroblasts to produce additional endogenous collagen. Indications at this clinic include visible wrinkle reduction, skin regeneration in sun-damaged or aged skin, improvement of elasticity and firmness, management of genetically related skin deformities, and restoration of volume in areas prone to collagen loss such as the backs of the hands and the perioral zone. The standard protocol involves 2–3 applications spaced approximately 15 days apart. Results build gradually over the course of treatment, with the effect maturing as new collagen is laid down in the treated area. The benefit may last up to 12 months after the final application. Preparation: avoid blood-thinning medications on the day of the appointment. No active skin infection or acne outbreak at the planned injection site for at least one week before treatment. Post-treatment: wait 6 hours before applying makeup; avoid strenuous physical activity for 3 days; apply SPF 50 sunscreen to treated areas until the skin has fully stabilised. Contraindications: active skin conditions, history of anaphylaxis or severe allergic reactions, autoimmune disorders, pregnancy, breastfeeding, untreated epilepsy, a tendency toward hypertrophic scarring, known collagen sensitivity, porphyria, and recent laser or chemical peel treatment in the target zone.