Mother Nature's aging process is sometimes harsher than we'd like it to be, but there are ways to help curb the effects without major cosmetic surgery.

New procedures are now being used as alternatives to plastic surgery to get rid of wrinkles.

The collagen-like substance Radiance is injected into a person's skin. Because it is a thicker substance, it can be used to fill in deeper folds, not tiny creases, said Dr. Michael Wojtanowski, a plastic surgeon in Cleveland.

Unlike regular collagen, Radiance doesn't completely dissolve into the skin. This means that it lasts for years instead of only months.

Some of the substance gets dissolved, but part of the chemical reaction that occurs causes your body to create its own collagen. This causes skin to continue to tighten as time goes on.

Another advantage is that there is no lengthy recovery time with this procedure and you can go back to work the same day if needed.

The worst effect of the fillers is minor swelling and bruising that lasts about 24 hours.

There are other fillers on the market that are gaining popularity, including Cosmo-Derm and Cosmo-Plast. The Food and Drug Administration has approved all of these fillers.

The cost of the injections is determined by how much is used and what product you choose.