For more than 20 years, bovine collagens
Zyderm, Zyplast; Allergan, Santa Barbara, CA,
USA) were the only US Food and Drug
Administration (FDA)-approved dermal fillers.
Because these dermal fillers are bovine based, one
of the main disadvantages has been the need for
allergy testing. In addition to possible allergic reactions,
cosmetic patients can be impulsive consumers
and requiring them to wait a month for an allergy
test before treatment was a significant drawback
(3). In February 2003, human-derived collagens
received FDA approval (CosmoDerm, CosmoPlast;
Allergan); they provide the advantage of a significantly
reduced risk of allergic reactions and eliminate
the requirement of allergy testing