• Collagen Induction

Collagen Induction Therapy - Microneedling

Collagen Induction Therapy — A Safe, Cost–Effective Treatment for Stretch Marks, Acne Scars, and Wrinkles

What do wrinkles, stretch marks, and acne scarring have in common? These are all conditions which have been frustrating physicians and patients in their inability to be effectively treated. Now, at last, a new, non–ablative and effective treatment is available.

Not a laser or a deep chemical peel, this exciting option is called Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT). CIT is a simple procedure that requires minimal down time (no more than four to seven days) and significant, measurable, and sustainable results.

How It Works

The principle behind Collagen Induction Therapy is simple: to stimulate the body's own production of collagen, thereby reducing wrinkles and improving skin texture. The principle behind collagen channeling using the Collagen Induction Therapy treatment is simple. When it is applied to the skin, under local or topical anesthesia, a sterile roller with very fine needles is used to create many microscopic channels deep into the dermis of the skin, which stimulate your own body to produce new collagen. These channels also improve the penetration of vitamins A and C creams about 1000 times. Vitamins A and C stimulate skin renewal, thereby making the skin appear fresher and younger. Results last as long as 5–10 years or more.

At the heart of Collagen Induction Therapy is the MTS Roller™—a unique ‘Type I' FDA–approved supplemental medical tool that is ideal for non–surgical and non–ablative treatment of various skin conditions such as aging (wrinkles, stretch marks), scarring (acne, surgical), and hyper pigmentation. Clinical studies have shown MTS (microneedle therapy system) to be more effective than ablative treatments like laser resurfacing, dermabrasion, and chemical peel and just as effective as non–ablative treatments like IPL, CO2 laser, and Fraxel in stimulating collagen and elastin production to thicken the skin thereby erasing wrinkles, stretch marks and smoothing acne scars.

Mechanism of Action in Acne Scar Treatment

Collagen Induction Therapy is a new and effective alternative treatment for acne scars. Fine microneedles perforate the scar tissue. After sufficient perforation, very fine petechiae (blood spots, but no bleeding) will be visible on the skin. Only a few days after the treatment NEW fibroblasts and capillaries will migrate through the punctured scar tissue. This results in new tissue formation to "fill" the former scar. New capillaries result in a significant better blood supply that in return results in an improved repigmentation. Collagen Induction Therapy will in general result in a significant improvement in the appearance of acne scars.

Absolute Absorbency

MTS Roller™ uses 200 very fine needles to injure the skin sufficiently enough to stimulate collagen/elastin production. Resulting micro–channels also aid in infusing therapeutic serums for greater penetration and increasing overall efficacy. Clinical studies have proven that serum absorption is increased by as much as 1,000 times when applied with MTS Roller. Studies have also shown that treatment with MTS Roller is more consistent in increasing the thickness of the skin than IPL and other resurfacing treatments.

Collagen Induction Therapy can typically cause the following results in your skin:

• Soften fine lines and wrinkles
• Contribute towards skin thickening
• Reduce the appearance of acne scars and other depressed scars on the body
• Help improve stretch marks

Advantages of Collagen Induction Therapy are:

• The process stimulates physiological responses
• The treatment is not painful
• A very short healing period — you may be back in public in five days
• The treatment is cost effective
• It can be used on thin skin
• There is no permanent damage to the skin
• It can safely be repeated for better results
• It can be used on laser–resurfaced skin
• It can be used on all areas of the face, neck, and body

Fast Recuperative Power

The gentle stimulus provided by the MTS Roller is far more "skin friendly" and thus far more effective than many other more invasive and more expensive skin treatments. MTS Roller leaves the entire epidermal barrier fully intact; micro–channels created by 200 precision, surgical steel micro-fine needles seal within hours after application: long enough for new collagen–structures to form within the lower layers of the skin and short enough to allow the client to resume normal schedules quickly. MTS Rollers eliminate all common negative side effects and risks associated with chemical peeling, dermabrasion, and laser resurfacing. The skin is thicker and ready sooner for additional treatment.

Skin Friendly, Faster Recuperation, Cost–Effective

Ablative treatments like dermabrasion, chemical peel, and laser re–surfacing to do one thing: remove the protective epidermis to force the body to produce a new tissue layer. However, once the epidermis is removed the lower levels of skin are completely exposed — vulnerable to environmental contamination from dirt, dust, and bacteria. Certain risks must be accepted with these procedures: pain, long–term discomfort, long prevailing inflammation and redness, long healing period, extreme light–sensitivity for a month or more, possible irreversible pigment changes and even additional scarring.
Ablative treatments have their limits. Due to different skin structures on neck for instance, laser re–surfacing may not be possible. Moreover, because these treatments leave the skin thinner, in some cases these procedures may actually age the skin. Collagen Induction Therapy is far more "skin friendly" by doing far less damage and thereby encouraging faster, longer–lasting positive effects. Since the skin can recuperate faster after CIT treatment — often hours after treatment — the client may see noticeable positive results sooner.

Results

Results can take three to nine months to fully appear as the body takes time to generate new collagen. The patient, however, sees continual improvement. The procedure takes from ten minutes to over an hour, depending on the area to be treated. The patient must be anesthetized, usually with a topical numbing cream.

A crucial part of the treatment is the preparation of the skin prior to the procedure with topical vitamins A and C. Patients continue using the topical vitamins for at least six months post procedure to ensure the production of healthy collagen and elastin. This procedure has been successfully used to treat peri–oral wrinkles, the appearance of stretch marks, abdominal laxity, facial and acne scarring, and rejuvenation of sun damaged skin on the chest as well as other areas.

While collagen induction therapy is suitable for almost all clients, it is not recommended for those with active infections such as active acne, chronic skin disorders, blood clotting problems, poor healing, keloids, or skin malignancies.

How does the procedure work?

Collagen Induction Therapy is performed after the application of topical numbing cream. After about 45 minutes the MTS roller with micro–needles is gently passed over the area to create channels into the deeper layers of the skin. The channels created enable very good penetration of topical solutions treatments applied before and after the procedure. Subsequent application of topical products should be done as recommended by your skin therapist.

How long is the procedure?

Treatment sessions range from 10 minutes to one hour, depending on the area being treated.

How many treatments are needed?

This will depend on the degree of the problem and the patient's expectations (number of treatments usually range from three to six). Sessions are often spaced two to six weeks apart.

Is Collagen Induction Therapy painful?

The procedure usually requires local anesthetic cream in some areas. There is usually no pain after the procedure.

What body parts can you have it done on?

Collagen Induction Therapy may be done on any part of the face, neck, or body.

What is the recovery or downtime after? What should I expect after treatment?

Immediately after the procedure the skin is usually turns pink to red and may have areas of bruising. Scabbing may be noted within the first couple of days and may be covered by make–up. Swelling is common for the first few days and may last seven to ten days. It is safe to resume normal activities after the procedure. Appropriate, non-contaminated, cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen can be used immediately after the procedure. High concentration Vitamin A and C Serums should be applied immediately after the procedure when the skin's penetration is greatest.

What changes can be realistically expected with Collagen Induction Therapy?

Collagen Induction Therapy will usually make the skin smoother, fresher and improve fine lines around the eyes, mouth and cheeks. Collagen Induction Therapy will usually cause significant improvement in stretch marks and acne scars. Skin texture and brown marks will also improve in most cases.

How long does it take to see improvement in the skin with Collagen Induction Therapy?

Collagen remodeling in normal skin takes at least 90 days, so the effects of this treatment may not be fully appreciated for at least three months after the procedure. But the effects last for years in most people.

How long do the effects of Collagen Induction Therapy last?

The new collagen produced by CIT lasts for a long time, unless the skin is further damaged by sun exposure, smoking, or other external factors. As the skin ages, some of the new collagen will also age. The duration of results vary from person to person but should last for several years.

What Is Collagen Induction Therapy?

Collagen Induction provides comparable results to intense chemical peels, fraxional laser treatments, dermabrasion treatments as well as injectable fillers & Botox® with less expense & less trauma caused to the epidermis. More blood vessels and healthy skin are left intact, promoting healing and collagen deposition for better and longer lasting results. Because Collagen Induction does not affect whole layers of the epidermis, this treatment can be done as many times as needed until desired results are achieved. With Collagen Induction, the skin’s fibrous bands are softened, creating a smoother skin texture providing a natural blend with your existing skin. Collagen Induction can effectively smooth wrinkles, acne scars & skin laxity long term.

How Does It Compare To Injectables?

For those discerning individuals who worry about injecting foreign matter into their skin, Collagen Induction is the ultimate solution.

Injectable fillers such as Juvederm™ etc. and muscle paralizers such as Botox™ can provide instant gratification when injected correctly but usually only last a few months.

With Collagen Induction, the treatment stimulates your skin to produce it’s own collagen to greatly diminish and/or completely eliminate your wrinkles and scars often for several years.

Global Acceptance

This safe and effective technique is now being used worldwide to remove various types of scars, scar tissue, stretch marks and wrinkles of various depths and lengths.

How Is Collagen Induction Performed?

After the topical application of a numbing cream, a specialized electronic machine with very fine rotary needles for specific areas such as lines & ice pick scars or a hand held roller with multiple fine needles for flatter areas such as cheecks, neck etc are used to perform Collagen Induction. This effective method of wrinkle reduction & repair, creates a small controlled wound in the areas of your skin requiring collagen stimulation. Your collagen and elastin are induced by this dermal stimulation through the increase of fibroblasts. The end result is that your skin plumps from the inside out, leaving your skin smoother and tighter, more youthful looking.

Benefits Of Collagen Induction unlike other more expensive treatments, such as ablative lasers or dermabrasion, Collagen Induction does not remove the healthy epidermis, which makes the healing period much faster.

Sun sensitivity, hyper-pigmentation, colour loss and skin thinning are not an issue with Collagen Induction Therapy. During the healing process, which lasts a few days, careful care and cleanliness are required.

Unlike other more traumatic treatments, sensitive areas such as lower eyelids, neck and the back of hands can also be successfully treated with Collagen Induction therapy.

Collagen Induction for Scar & Stretch Mark Reduction

Collagen Induction is ideal for acne scarring, greatly diminishing ice pick scars and more.

Stretch marks improve from the stimulation of natural melanin while white scars resulting from laser therapies can also be greatly improved.

How Long Does The Healing Take?

The treated area will be reddened, slightly swollen initially, and form a light scabbing between day 3 & 5, which is common with any skin procedure that penetrates the skins surface. Any temporary colour demarcations can be easily disguised with a light application of concealer, so you can feel confident in public soon thereafter.

In most cases, it will take 7 to 14 days for complete outer healing, with inner healing continuing over the next 4-6 months. Over this period of time, your dermis will continue to become tighter and smoother as your skin creates more collagen.

How Many Treatments Will I Need?

Depending on your age, number and depth of wrinkles or scars, and thickness of your skin, two to three follow sessions 4 - 6 months apart may be needed. You will be the ultimate judge of when you are satisfied.

Collagen Induction can be repeated as often as required, allowing sufficient time between treatments, to achieve lasting results, as it does not destroy your epidermis, but rather thickens it.

To expedite your results, proper at-home custom blended skin care will be recommended. Due to the natural aging process, a touch-up every few years will insure a vibrant, smooth and radiant complexion for years to come.

Collagen Induction is the latest protocoll which allows your skin to create its' own collagen with lasting results. This amazing therapy is targetted to greatly reduce & or eliminate damaged, enlarged pores, ice pick marks, fine and deeper lines around the eyes (crows Feet), lips and forehead effectively & at much less expense than Fractional Laser technology ot temporary facial fillers & paralytics (Botox).

With these state of the art treatments at your disposal, your procedures can be tailored to achieve your expectations.

Call us to find out how you can benefit from our advanced & customized Skin Revision treatments.