Introduction
As a natural skin renewal and rejuvenation process, Collagen Induction Therapy with Platelet Rich Plasma, is an excellent, and less expensive, alternative to laser resurfacing. With shorter recovery time and longer lasting results this process repairs skin using the body’s natural healing defenses from micro needling. This actively producing collagen and elastin beneath the skin’s surface and reduces the signs of aging by filling wrinkles and fine lines with new and active collagen fibers. It also improves acne scars, burn scars, stretch marks, and hyper-pigmentation. Furthermore, it can address sagging skin and cellulite in the neck, arms, abdomen, and thighs.
Collagen
Collagen is the main component of connective tissue and the most abundant protein in mammals and makes up 25% to 35% of the whole-body protein content. It is found in ligaments, tendons, skin, blood vessels, cartilage, and many other parts of the body.
Focusing on the skin, collagen, along with soft keratin, is responsible for skin strength and elasticity. However, collagen is subject to sufficient denaturation and its degeneration is what ultimately leads to wrinkles. Fortunately, as shown below, our bodies can product new collagen. When it is produced, collagen plumps the skin under wrinkles to smooth out and reduce visible lines of aging. This is where Collagen Induction Therapy comes into play.
Skin Healing System
Our body is a self-healing machine. When we are wounded in any way, our body reacts in a way to repair it. First, tries to clot and conserve as much blood as possible, if wound is large enough to bleed. Second, it goes into an inflammation phase where it rids of bacteria and debris using white blood cells. The third phase is where new cells are formed. A type of cell, called fibroblasts, grows to form a new structure for the cells to collect on by excreting collagen and fibronectin. At the same time, epithelia cells that are ‘crawling’ on top of the wound bed to protect the new and fragile tissue. The wound is then decreased in size by the cells gripping the wound’s edges and contracting to close and protect it. In the final stage of remodeling, collagen is remolded and realigned along tension lines and unnecessary cells are disposed of.
CIT
Collagen Induction Therapy, CIT, uses micro needling to micro injure the skin forcing the natural self-healing process in the dermis to tighten the skin when trying to close the wound and produce collagen while it repairs itself beneath the surface. This reverses wrinkles and scars from the bottommost layer of the skin, the dermis. Additionally, the micro channels caused by needling increases absorption of active ingredients, such as Platelet Rich Plasma, deep into the dermis.
The micro needling causes the release of growth factors that promote scar-less healing and the deposition of normal woven collagen rather than scar collagen.
PRP
Platelet Rich Plasma, PRP, is plasma from the patient’s own blood that contains several growth factors, including platelet-driven growth factors, PDGF. PDGF is the growth factor that initiates all wound healing. Their main function is to simulate cell replication of healing capable stem cells, like collagen, to form new capillaries into the wound.
PRP is safe because it is obtained from the patient’s own blood and avoids the risk of transmissible diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis B, C, or D, and other blood borne pathogens. Because it is used topically in and on top of a wound in a clotted fashion, it never re-enters the individual’s circulation. (Greco)
The addition of PRP to the process multiplies effects of CIT by replicating and creating even more collagen for a greater effect on smoothing skin. It has also been shown that the high concentration of growth factors entrapped in the micro channels from CIT under the epidermis accelerates wound healing and skin remodeling.
CIT with PRP Process
The process begins with a nurse drawing blood from the patient and spun out to separate the plasma platelets with growth factors from the remaining blood.
While the platelets are being separated, the patient skin is cleaned and a numbing cream is applied.
After 30 minutes the micro needling is performed to create a channel through the epidermis to initiate the process of self-healing in the dermal layer. It also creates an opening for the PRP to penetrate the dermis.
Next, the active PRP is embedded into the micro channels in the dermis layer of the skin and needling is continued.
Finally, a hydrating cream is applied to the skin and the procedure is complete. The epidermis closes itself within an hour and the body does its work repairing the skin.
Results
As the skin heals itself, new collagen fibers are forming to fill out, repair, and rejuvenate the skin. This process induces skin tightening, which minimizes pores. It will reduce wrinkles and fine lines, remodel acne scars, and improve burn scars, stretch marks, and hyper pigmentation.
