CIT..is it for Me?
When I decided to add CIT to my menu, many of my clients asked me what CIT was an how it would benefit their skin...here is my response.
For those who have never heard of CIT, it is a newer treatment buzzword in the aesthetician's speak and hopefully in their toolbox as well. "CIT" or Collagen Induction Therapy is a treatment that usually involves a specialized tool which can take the form of a manual "roller" or a more automated stamping type tool.
The Grandfather of all CIT tools is rolling type device also known as a "Dermal-roller." The Dermal-Roller has been used since the late 1990s and marketed under various names and sold worldwide in various arenas both professional and in at home kits.
In addition to the DermalRoller, there are also more automated microneedle stamping devices, or "micro-needling pens", are typically powered by a motor and can be "adjusted" for treatments. Adjusting meaning the "frequency" (how many stamps it makes per second) and depth of the microneedles. More commonly these "pen" type tools are also marketed under names such as SkinPen, DermaPen and Micropen.
These treatments came about as an answer to acne scarring, keloid resolution and also has more recently been used in combination with Plasma Inductions and Stretch mark treatments.
How does it work?
CIT or micro-needling stimulates the complex wound-healing mechanism that our body naturally goes through when we are injured and subsequently heal. The injury caused by CIT is caused by tiny surgical needles. The skin's nerve receptors and defense mechanisms sense these fine needle pricking as a specific type of injury and heals the treated area accordingly.
During the CIT treatment, tissue damage is unlikely because the needles are very fine and thin. In fact, the skin's integrity remains intact even though the skin reacts as if it had been "injured." The tiny wounds caused by the micro-needles are repaired and close very quickly. There is no scarring and when treated properly post care, no infection is seen.
I have seen soooo many ways that aesthicians are doing CIT. But my favorite seems to be the Micropen or Dermastamp.
What's the Difference between a Pen and a Stamp?
Dermapen
If you are treated with a micropen as a form of CIT, the pen glides over the skin. Most pens require little downtime and can be used by both men and women of all skin types. The pen itself holds 11 titanium sterile needles, stamps over the skin, and like the roller, creates micro point punctures in the skin. Again, this is perceived by the body as damage, which stimulates the body’s healing response to stimulate the release of growth factors that trigger the production of collagen and elastin.
Dermastamping
As suggested by the name, works by simply stamping the head full of micro-needles onto your skin.
As mentioned above, In each process, sometimes dramatic results in wrinkle and fine line reduction are seen. CIT also assists with pore size reduction, scar and acne scar removal, pigmentation removal and stretch mark removal.
Whats an awesome benefit to needling of any type is that post treatment skin "remodeling" can go on for months. Most treatments off a pre-treatment of numbing cream to be applied to area to be treated, greatly minimizing any discomfort. Also, It usually takes requires 4-6 treatments, depending on the condition being treated to see the best results. .
Who can do CIT?
In Arizona, CIT is starting to be goverened by the State Board of Cosmetology and practitioners are required to verify that they have been specifically trained. Sites such as Amazon and eBay do sell the Dermalroller as mentioned about for at home care, but to avoid infection and blood borne pathogen issues, it is always smart to seek the assistance of a trained professional.
Is CIT for Me?
Aside from the cost benefits, derma stamping also leaves your skin free from long-term wounds. Unlike laser treatment, derma stamping does not put your skin from through the suffering that comes with deep repeated injuries. The adage “no pain, no gain” is definitely not something you will want to adopt for regular skin care.
You do not have to schedule any downtime after a derma stamping treatment, and you need not apply any special topical agent other than your regular moisturizer and sunblock. Your face may look a little blotchy and reddish the morning after, but it’s a small price to pay for the long-term effects that you will reap with derma stamping.
********
If you have further questions about CIT, please message me. I will begin offering CIT in May at my studio! Please enjoy the video to give you a better understanding CIT
