If you are yearning for the sort of look your skin would receive with laser treatments, but are not able or willing to endure the cost and/or the process or downtime of lasers, collagen induction therapy (a.k.a. CIT) may be the perfect option for you. CIT is a minimally invasive skin rejuvenation treatment, designed to stimulate the body’s natural collagen production to improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and scars on the face and body.
CIT is also known as dermal rolling, medical skin needling, or micro-needling. The treatment uses a small, hand held medical grade roller that contains rows of very small micro-needles. When rolled over the skin, the micro-needles create tiny, evenly-spaced channels on the skin. During the body’s natural wound-healing process of the channels, collagen and elastin are automatically produced. This results in thicker, more plumped up skin, just like when you were younger. For scaring, when new elastin is produced, the tight bands of scar tissue become more flexible. The procedure can be performed either on the face or body.
Collagen Induction Therapy is suitable for all skin types. The most ideal candidates are those who wish to improve skin elasticity, smooth lines and wrinkles, slow the onset of the aging process or improve the appearance of scarring.
Before the treatment, the medical aesthetician will assess your skin to determine which type of roller will provide you with the best results. She will then apply a topical anesthetic to make the treatment comfortable. Usually, she will make 2 passes over your treatment area, gently rolling the CIT roller for maximum results.
After the treatment, your skin will be slightly pink. You may notice some specs of bleeding or bruising, depending on your skin’s thickness and the roller used. For most people, your skin will completely recover in 24-72 hours. A series of 2-5 treatments is usually recommended to achieve maximum results. Your body’s collagen production usually takes about 4-8 weeks, so you will continue to see dramatic improvements over this time.
Before and After Treatment with Collagen Induction Therapy