Now this is a treatment that has a lot of talk about in the beauty industry! I have mixed reviews on this treatment as I strongly feel there needs to be more education given to anyone performing these treatments. You may be wondering why but I will tell you when you read this post and it may change your minds about walking into an average beauty salon and asking for a skin needling treatment to be performed!
Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT)
This treatment should only be performed by dermal clinician, doctor or equivalent! CIT is a treatment that involves repetitive puncturing of the skin with very small needles. The aim of the treatment is to induce collagen production through the stimulation of the wound healing process. A roller device, stamp or pen are currently used to perform this treatment. The differences between each are:
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| Pen device on the left and roller device on the right image |
Roller device: When using a roller device the needles are penetrating the skin on a shallow angle, and as the roller is rotated across the skin it will penetrate deeper. The deepest point of penetration is midway point of the rotation, this is where the dermis is penetrated. Needle lengths can range between 1mm, 1.5mm, 2mm and 3mm (medical needling). Only experienced clinicians or doctors should be treating with longer needles. The 1mm roller would penetrate the skin approximately 1.5mm-2mm into the dermis and therefore reach the papillary dermis.
Pen device: When using a pen device, the device uses an oscillating stamp-like pen motion to harmoniously vibrate and glide over the skin. The needles can range from 0.0mm to 2.5mm and can be modified according to the skin condition on each device. The pen produces 1300 micro channels per second as punctures the skin. It is fully adjustable with the speed and needle depth and is automated. It is held vertically and can also treat small areas as well as curved areas.
Treatment Depths
* Dermal clinicians are able to treat from 0.0mm to 1.0mm and Doctors are able to treat from 0.0mm to 3.0mm which is medical needling
Effects on the skin
Immediately following treatment the punctured skin will go through re-epithelialisation this can take place between 2-3 days. The epidermis can be seen thicker during this phase and lasting up to 1 year. As hundreds of punctured wounds occur in the papillary dermis the wound healing process is immediately stimulated and starts with the inflammatory phase. This is where platelets, neutrophils and fibroblasts are found to gather to the wounded area. Which then proliferation can occur by releasing their essential growth factors. With the up regulation of growth factors collagen deposition forms in a lattice-weave like deposition which only certain growth factors can heal in a scarless manner.
It is approximately 48 hours post treatment the proliferation phase takes place which then the remodelling phase completes the wound healing phases and continues unto 12 to 18 months after the treatment to create collagen and tightening of the skin. There will be noticeable results of the papillary dermis thickening by the 6 month stage and Type III collagen ending in favour of Type I collagen to increase the skin rejuvenation.
Who should have this treatment performed
This treatment will particularly benefit candidates with scarring, rhytids/wrinkles and laxed skin, striae dispense and enlarged pores.
How often can this treatment be performed?
This treatment can be performed 4-8 weeks intervals with a minimum of 2-3 treatments being performed.
Treatment Post Care
A benign hydrating cream needs to be applied frequently for 2-3 days after the treatment to enhance wounding healing. The used of vitamin A products needs to be avoided for 2 weeks post treatment. No picking, scratching or pulling of the skin. Avoidance of scrubs, loofas and abrasive products is recommended. Direct sun exposure is to be avoided. Make up should not be worn until 4-5 days post treatment. Avoid exercise, sauna or steam rooms for the next 48 hours.
Potential Side Effects and Complications
If sterility has not been maintained throughout the treatment infection of the wound can occur, scarring is also a possibility especially with candidates with a background of keloid and hyper tropic scarring. Millia and pigmentary changes can also result from skin needling treatments. Potential side effects can often occur when post care instructions are not followed.
Contraindications
Keloid scarring, diabetes, warts, bleeding disorders, presence of skin cancers, pregnancy, skin infection etc.
My thoughts on CIT
Overall, skin needling treatments can provide many long lasting benefits as it has lower risks than ablative lasers and has short healing timeframes. Results are permanent and although take a little longer to notice them they can be combined with other modalities to enhance the results. CIT is less costly and can be treated any part of the body. It is also great as it can be treated on all fitzpatrick skin types. However, anaesthesia is required and as the treatment involves blood and sharps, I don't feel confident with untrained therapists performing these treatments. Especially when a sterile field is not a part of the treatment. It is crucial to understand infection control procedures and how penetration of the skin treatments like skin needling require a full in depth training to reduce the risk of potential complications. For more information please email me on leannetran23@gmail.com
Treatment Post Care
A benign hydrating cream needs to be applied frequently for 2-3 days after the treatment to enhance wounding healing. The used of vitamin A products needs to be avoided for 2 weeks post treatment. No picking, scratching or pulling of the skin. Avoidance of scrubs, loofas and abrasive products is recommended. Direct sun exposure is to be avoided. Make up should not be worn until 4-5 days post treatment. Avoid exercise, sauna or steam rooms for the next 48 hours.
Potential Side Effects and Complications
If sterility has not been maintained throughout the treatment infection of the wound can occur, scarring is also a possibility especially with candidates with a background of keloid and hyper tropic scarring. Millia and pigmentary changes can also result from skin needling treatments. Potential side effects can often occur when post care instructions are not followed.
Contraindications
Keloid scarring, diabetes, warts, bleeding disorders, presence of skin cancers, pregnancy, skin infection etc.
My thoughts on CIT
Overall, skin needling treatments can provide many long lasting benefits as it has lower risks than ablative lasers and has short healing timeframes. Results are permanent and although take a little longer to notice them they can be combined with other modalities to enhance the results. CIT is less costly and can be treated any part of the body. It is also great as it can be treated on all fitzpatrick skin types. However, anaesthesia is required and as the treatment involves blood and sharps, I don't feel confident with untrained therapists performing these treatments. Especially when a sterile field is not a part of the treatment. It is crucial to understand infection control procedures and how penetration of the skin treatments like skin needling require a full in depth training to reduce the risk of potential complications. For more information please email me on leannetran23@gmail.com
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