An Overview of Collagen Induction Therapy

Tap to Read ➤ Malvika Kulur

Always thought about getting a collagen induction therapy done, but are skeptical about the procedure? Don't worry. This story gives an in-depth comprehension of how this therapy works and its key features so that your mind is put at ease, and all your doubts are answered.

Did You Know? Collagen induction therapy is not only used for the lips, eyes, and face, but also on the stomach, thighs, arms, and ears. Collagen is found in the flesh and connective tissue of all vertebrate animals. It is the most abundantly found protein in humans and is the main component of connective tissues.

Collagen is a scleroprotein or fibrous protein that is usually found outside cells and tissues. It provides support and also helps in structuring skin, bones, tendons, cartilages, etc., as it has great tensile strength and elasticity. This protein has a very wide usage, as it is used in the food, cosmetic, and medical industry.

When a person ages, the collagen and keratin in his body starts to degrade, leading to wrinkles, lines, sagging skin, spots, etc. So, to reduce the prominence of the different signs of aging, many people go in for cosmetic procedures, out of which collagen induction therapy (CIT), which is also known as micro-needling is immensely popular.

But, before going in for CIT, most people worry whether it really works and what is its procedure. This non-ablative therapy works wonders, and its procedure is explained in this story.

Its Working ►► First, the skin is cleansed thoroughly, after which it is anesthetized using local anesthesia in the form of ointment or spray. In very rare cases, local anesthesia is injected into the skin. ►► A small hand-held roller, that has hundreds of very small needles attached to it, is rolled on the skin.

Virtually Painless ►► It is not painful due to the anesthesia used, but one may feel a slight pressure on the skin when it is being done. ►► Minor bleeding, redness of the skin, inflammation, tightness, and itchiness may be experienced, but it subsides within 24 – 48 hours after the treatment is done.

►► The needles penetrate about 2 mm into the skin, and the channels made due to this piercing are about 0.01 mm wide, depending on the size of the needles, treatment done, and a part of the body where CIT is to be performed.

►► When these needles pierce the skin, it punctures it, creating very small passages in it. These minute wounds start to heal, and help in regenerating the natural collagen present in the skin.

►► Due to the wounds and inflammation caused in this process, collagen and elastin get stimulated, wherein the production of these two components gets triggered, and the dermis starts producing them. Features Cost ►► Collagen induction therapy costs approximately half than that of laser resurfacing treatment.

Chemical-free ►► Wrinkles, spots, lines, stretch marks, acne scars, large pores, etc., get rectified without the use of any chemicals. Time Taken ►► This treatment takes roughly around half an hour depending on the area where it is getting done.

►► Hardly any side effects are noticed, but on very rare occasions, flaking, dryness, and scabbing may be seen. To Be Done By ►► It has been strongly recommended by dermatologists to do this treatment with certified and highly skilled cosmetologists and dermatologists, so as to prevent any mishaps and/or side effects.

►► This treatment works well with any skin type, unlike IPL lasers, chemical peels, etc.

Aftercare and Downtime ►► Once this treatment is done, there is very little aftercare for it. All you have to remember is to wash your face with tepid water, and if at all you are to touch your face, it should be done with clean hands. Makeup should not be used for at least 12 hours post treatment.

These points should be carried out diligently to avoid the risk of any infection. ►► There is a minimum separation time of 6 to 8 weeks between each session; a person is expected to do around 4 to 6 sessions, and results are visible within 2 weeks post the session.

Not Recommended For ►► Those who have a history of keloids, slow healing of wounds, or hypertrophic scars (scars that are raised from the surface of the skin which have high deposits of collagen in them) should not be carrying out this procedure.

►► Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and anyone who has any open wounds, skin diseases, or herpes simplex in the area to be treated are advised against proceeding with CIT, to avoid any infections or health complications.

In short, collagen induction therapy is a procedure, wherein a group of naturally occurring proteins called collagen which are present in the dermis are stimulated using a roller with hundreds of needles attached to it.

Due to this, the collagen starts to regenerate, causing the healing of scars, wrinkles, spots, hyperpigmentation, sagging skin―in short, all skin-related problems people face when they start to age. This procedure is a non-surgical skin tightening treatment that is a boon for those who want to look younger or who have scars and want to do away with them.