Scar Reduction Cape Town
Scar Reduction
Micro-Needling Treatment For Scar Reduction
Medical Micro-Needling, also referred to as Collagen Induction Therapy, is a break through remedy for scar reduction (including burn scars, acne scars and surgical scars) and the treatment of wrinkles, pigmentation and stretch marks. This revolutionary celebrity treatment is popular with Angelina Jolie and Demi Moore…
Clinical studies have shown that micro-needling produces channels in the dermis which sufficiently stimulate the body’s natural defenses to repair and produce concentrated amounts of collagen and proteins to the treated areas of skin. This results in the skin’s thickness being increased by up to 80% smoothing scars, visibly reducing stretch marks and erasing wrinkles.
Before & After – Micro-Needling
How Micro-Needling Works For Scar Reduction
The treatment introduces fine needles to the skin to create microscopic channels. In doing so the dermis is encouraged to produce new collagen and elastin which generates new skin cells. The skin then becomes thicker, plumper and more youthful. Serums that are applied to the skin afterwards are also up to 1000 times more effective as the pores are opened and the product is absorbed deep into the skin.
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Growth Factors
GF-technology refers to AQ’s advanced, cutting edge methods of producing human growth factors and utilizing them in topical skin care products. Growth factors (GF) are found in many different cell types in the human body. They are a group of specialized proteins with many functions, the most important being the activation of cellular proliferation and differentiation. Growth factors turn essential cellular activities “on” and “off,” and they play a role in increasing cell production, cell division, blood vessel production, and collagen and elastin production. In recent decades, scientific research into GF biological functions has shown that medical GF-technology is related to resolving many cell developmental diseases. But GF-technology has many other applications to human health and can also help people achieve a more youthful and vibrant look without expensive plastic surgery or Botox® treatments. It can even help people obtain healthy, fuller-looking hair without the side effects of drugs.
Growth factors are vital to maintaining a youthful appearance. The skin and scalp contain multiple growth factors that regulate natural cellular renewal and damage repair processes to keep skin healthy and to maintain a normal hair growth cycle. These growth factors are responsible for helping to reverse the visible effects of chronological aging and premature aging due to environmental factors. The consequences of environmental exposure and the normal processes of aging lead to excessive free radical damage of skin and scalp cellular components, resulting in the breakdown of collagen and elastin networks in the dermis and producing the effect of visible facial aging. This same type of damage eventually impairs growth factor function, so they are less able to repair oxidative damage, and the damage becomes permanent.
Advances in GF-technology are providing help for reversing the signs of aging. Growth factors can now be produced in a laboratory for topical use. In multiple clinical studies, topically applied GF have been shown to reduce the signs of skin aging, including statistically significant reductions in fine lines and wrinkles and increases in dermal collagen synthesis. GF-technology is also being used successfully for encouraging healthy hair growth, reducing the appearance of scars, supporting the skin during post-procedure healing, and shortening the healing time of burn wounds.
6 Types of Scars and How to Treat Them
Different Scars, Different Treatments
There are numerous kinds of scars, and all of them have a negative effect on the person who acquires them. Scars are usually a painful memory or a bad experience that can lower the self-esteem of a bearer, especially if the unpleasant scar is lodged on the face or another inconvenient location.
Below are listed various different kinds of scars that you must know about before you can treat yours effectively:
1. Atrophic Scars
These are the type of scars that are depressed, serrated or flat against the upper layer of the skin. Sometimes such a type of scarring is considered hyperpigmentation which is a condition where the certain areas of skin develop darker skin pigmentation compared to other areas.
Hyperpigmentation is a skin discoloration that usually fades with the passage of time and proper medicine. Contrary to hyperpigmentation, atrophic scars are caused by tissue damage.
2. Hypertrophic Scars
Such type of scars are elevated and raised in appearance. As compared to atrophic scars characterized by loss of tissue, hypertrophic scars occur because of the excessive tissue that develops over skin openings caused by infections or wounds.
Hypertrophic scars are somewhat similar to keloid scars in their characteristics and appearance; however, they form only on the areas of injury. Just like keloids, you can treat hypertrophic scars with silicone sheets and steroids.
3. Keloid Scars
Such types of scars appear when the skin goes through an aggressive healing phase. The result is a clustered and thick scar that appears darker than the surrounding skin. Keloids are caused by injuries, particularly when the body secretes excess collagen on the affected area, even after the original wound has healed and closed.
In simple words, keloids form when the healing phase has gone too far, and the body has done all the necessary repair beyond the damage. It is essential to note that in various cases, the extent of healing also affects the movement of the affected area. Keloids are often spotted on dark skinned people, as well.
Keloid scars are effectively treated with steroid injections which flatten and fade the scars as well as light Micro needling treatments. Minor keloids are often treated by using liquid nitrogen applied on the affected area for quicker fading.
4. Scar Contractures
Such type of scarring happens when you are burned. The burn is most often present on the joints and creases. Scar contractures tighten the affected skin and may affect your movement and flexibility.
These types of scars can make your skin look ruined. If the contracture scarring is deep, then it may also disrupt the normal functioning of your nerves and muscles.
5. Stretch Marks
Stretch marks are other types of scars that happen mostly to people who have experienced extreme weight loss and teenagers, as well as obese people and pregnant women.
The skin tears, particularly on the buttocks, thighs and breast areas when a person grows or shrinks too fast. Initially, stretch marks may look red or purple in colour, but over time they lighten, and look lighter or silver in colour.
6. Acne Scars
Acne and pimples usually heal after some period of time, but the marks they leave make some unpleasant scars.
Acne scarring is caused as a result of severe acne. There are various forms of acne scars that differ in their type and depth. Also, the treatment of acne scars is dependent on the type of scars you have.
7. Ice Pick Scars
Ice pick scars are pores that are open and large. They are narrow and deep marks that go beyond the uppermost layer of the skin.
Ice pick scars are actually pores that form when acne infections reach the skin surface and destruct skin tissue along the way. These are generally found on the areas where the acne tends to break out more frequently. Ice pick scars are atrophic and may also happen when you pick on the blackheads and whiteheads. They can be either soft or hard, and have a tendency to prevail in the cheek area.
8. Boxcar Scars
Boxcar scars are wider than the ice pick scars and are atrophic in nature. They occur after a severe acne breakout and inflammation, which destructs the collagen in the skin.
The damage done to the skin tissue causes the pitted appearance of boxcar scarring.
9. Rolling Scars
Rolling scars are hypertrophic scars that appear wave-like. These scars roll in wide and shallow rows over the skin. When skin infection occurs, the subcutaneous tissue of the skin form fibrous bands of tissue, which tweaks down the outer layer of the skin.
Due to this, the epidermis, the naturally smooth surface of the skin, forms grooves that look like they are rolling over the skin.
At Pulse Dermatology & Laser our Scar treatments include:
Topical applications, needling procedures including Mesotherapy and MicroPen® treatment, NIR laser treatment, IPL laser treatment, Microdermabrasion treatment, skin peels and steroid injections. Your individual treatment protocol will be determined at your initial assessment and consultation.
Enquire about Scar Reduction at Pulse Dermatology & Laser
To achieve best results it is essential that patients follow the correct medical homecare treatment program – this will be advised at your initial consultation.