Collagen Induction Therapy is a procedure which stimulates the skin to produce new 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 roller with very fine needles or a special needle 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.

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

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

Advantages of undergoing 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 5 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

How does the procedure work?

Collagen Induction Therapy can be performed under local anesthesia for some areas, or I.V. sedation for larger areas. After anesthesia, a roller with micro-needles or a special needle 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 solution or cream treatments applied after the procedure. Subsequent application of the Obagi System creams should be done as prescribed by your doctor.

How long is the procedure?

Treatment sessions range from 10 minutes to 1 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. Sessions are often spaced 2 – 4 weeks apart.

Is Collagen Induction Therapy painful?

The procedure usually requires local anesthetic cream in some areas. Intravenous sedation may be required for larger areas (e.g. stretch marks on the abdomen). 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 7-10 days. At the end of 7 – 10 days, most of the reactions would have subsided.

It will be safe to resume normal activities but most patients wait a few days for the reactions to subside before going back to work.

Normal cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen can be used immediately after the procedure.

High concentration Vitamin A and C or other topical cream treatments like the Obagi System 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. 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 3 months after the procedure. But the effects last for years in most people.

How is it possible to get the best results from a treatment?

Evidence suggests that the results from Collagen Induction Therapy may be further improved by combining this treatment with Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy (Quantum SR IPL) and the Aurora PhotoFacial. When the skin is red from this treatment, pulsed light is also better absorbed into the skin, and can further improve brown marks, broken capillaries and fine lines.

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 some years.

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