Collagen Induction Therapy - What To Expect From It?

Collagen Induction Therapy or CIT is micro needling or medical skin needling technique that is minimally-invasive in nature. This technique can successfully rejuvenate the skin which is suffering from wrinkles, lines, scars etc. As the name suggests, the treatment utilizes a needle to puncture the skin. At times, doctors might use local anesthesia to avoid minor discomfort.

Who is a good candidate for collagen induction therapy?
There are no pre-requisites of the treatment. Just like other cosmetic treatments, it is necessary to keep the expectation realistic and maintain general health. Unlike some laser and chemical peel based treatments, collagen therapy is suitable for any types of skin. The following conditions make an individual a very good candidate for collagen therapy:

• Skin laxity
• Scarring from chicken pox and acne
• Premature aging
• Wrinkles and lines
• Scar resulting from accident or surgery

Although, there are hardly any side effects; in some cases, people may experience:

• Flaking of the skin
• Skin dryness
• Formation of scab
• Cold sores

If you experience any of the above, the same can be addressed by the doctor.

What are the three phases of treatment?

• Inflammation: This part involves piercing the skin that triggers the immune system to increase blood flow, disinfect the wound, remove debris and create new tissues.
• Proliferation: With granulation cell, elastin and collagen, the wound are re-built. A new blood supply network is formed around the wounded area.
• Remodelling: The wound gets replaced with new blood vessels and dermal tissue. The type 3 collagen gets replaced with type 1 collagen. This results in skin tightening and more glow.

How is the procedure performed?
The whole procedure takes around half-an-hour to perform. It is done using an instrument known as the Derma pen. Small facial areas are punctured with the help of the tool. Needling is done with derma roller or derma per along with some serums are infused into the skin to get the desired effect.

What to expect after the therapy?
The skin might turn pink because of the puncturing. It is not uncommon to experience a little bruising. It takes about six-eight weeks for the new skin to arrive and make its presence felt. Typically, it requires around three-four sitting to achieve the maximum result.