What Is Collagen Induction Therapy?

When it comes to aging, sagging skin, fine lines, wrinkles, and other skin imperfections, one of the most important factors is collagen. Collagen is the substance in your skin that creates the framework which keeps your skin robust and youthful. It allows your skin to be resilient, flexible, and hydrated. As you age, collagen production decreases, and wrinkles and other signs of aging skin become more apparent. Collagen Induction Therapy, then, is the process of trying to encourage your body to produce more collagen, reversing the effects of aging.

Collagen Induction Therapy 101

Collagen induction therapy, or just CIT, is a decorative way of saying non-surgical micro-needling. It is a minimally invasive procedure involving using medical-grade rollers that have fine needles that work over an area of skin, helping stimulate the collagen production of that particular skin area. Usually, it is used to:

Firm out loose skin

Rejuvenate aged hands

Lessen fine lines and wrinkles

Reduce acne scars and scars from burns

Tighten pores

Eliminate stretch marks

Lower pigmentation

Promote hair growth

How does it work?

Collagen induction therapy works through stimulation of the body’s system of natural collagen production. This treatment uses tiny micro-needles or sharp fine needles placed on medical-grade rollers that are moved systematically over the targeted area. These fine needles produce evenly spaced skin micro-punctures. They create micro-damage within the skin that triggers the body’s natural collagen production. In the subsequent few months post-treatment, the amount of skin collagen will increase and give the skin that revitalized, plumper, and smoother-looking appearance.

The various needle sizes are used to treat different skin concerns. The shorter needles are for penetrating the skin surface, whereas the longer goes a bit deeper. Typically, the 5-1.0 mm needles are foraging and wrinkle treatments that will stimulate collagen induction. Meanwhile, 5–2 mm needles are for acne treatments. CIT sessions differ depending on the treated area size and take roughly around 10 minutes to an hour. Pre-treatment, application of topical anesthesia reduces any potential pain and discomfort. Other treatments like radiofrequency, light therapy, vitamin serums, or platelet-rich plasma go well with CIT. This combination enhances particular conditions such as hair loss, acne treatments, or anti-aging treatments.

What are some side effects?

Redness to the skin is the most common side effect of collagen induction therapy. But the following symptoms may also occur:

Bleeding and scabbing

Bruising

Dry skin

The appearance of millia, or small white spots

What are some after-care?

After your CIT treatment, you are required to:

Clean the face using lukewarm water for the next 48 hours. Avoid rubbing the skin harshly as much as possible.

Never pick at scabs or touch the treated area to reduce the risk of infection. Keep your hands clean all the time before touching your face.

Avoid wearing conventional makeup for the next 12 hours, although you may use approved post-cosmetic treatments.

Immediately apply SPF after the treatment.

Is it that effective?

Collagen induction therapy has been known to be quite effective in wrinkles and acne scarring reduction and with burns and areas of pigmentation. In addition, when combined with minoxidil, it has shown to be very useful in hair regrowth stimulation.

They’re the SAME!

Collagen induction therapy and micro-needling are more the same rather than different. Both provide effective skin rejuvenating results.