I’ve been carrying out Collagen
Stimulation Therapy (CST) for almost two years and have recently completed a
case study on one of my clients. Now I’ve finished my training for CST Body, I
felt this was a great time to give you an insight into this amazing treatment.
“Needling is one of the most
advanced treatments we can offer in the salon” – Dr Des Fernandes, founder of
Environ.
What is Collagen
Stimulation Therapy?
Imagine if you could restore skin
tightness, soften fine wrinkles and treat scarring, stretch marks and dilated
capillaries without damaging the skin or undergoing surgery, aggressive
chemical peels or laser resurfacing…………….
Skincare is like everything in
life, you get out what you put in. If you’re prepared to invest some time and
money into your skin you’ll reap the rewards – and you don’t need to walk around
like the Bride of Frankenstein with layers of skin hanging off just to achieve
a smooth, youthful skin!
Sex and the City Season 5 - Samantha's Chemical Peel
Collagen Stimulation Therapy,
developed by pioneering South African plastic surgeon and skin specialist Dr
Des Fernandes in 1997, is “the activation of growth factors (without destroying
the integrity of the skin) by pricking skin with needles to induce collagen and
elastin in skin”. Don’t worry, it’s not as frightening as it sounds!
People are increasingly looking
for alternative ways to rejuvenate ageing skin and as more natural methods like
skin needling come to the fore, they’re preferable to going under the knife.
Many aestheticians believe laser
resurfacing is the most successful way to renew the skin. Laser, like peeling,
destroys the epidermis (the outermost layers of the skin) to induce normal post-traumatic
inflammatory reaction. This eventually leads to dense production of collagen
with subsequent skin tightening; elastin isn’t produced.
Although the epidermis is only
0.2mm thick, it’s our only protection against the environment. Should we be
destroying this protective layer in the pursuit of a smooth, wrinkle-free skin?
Through our treatments at Euphoric we strive to preserve, protect and enhance
the epidermis (look out for my blog “A
fascination with exfoliation!”).
Clinical studies have shown needling
can be more effective than treatments like laser resurfacing, dermabrasion and
chemical peels to stimulate collagen and elastin production. The main advantage
is that needling never destroys the epidermis, making it the ideal skin
rejuvenation treatment.
Treatments can also be
repeated to achieve the desired effect, as the epidermis isn’t compromised, and
can be carried out on those who’ve had laser resurfacing or have very thin
skin.
“Needling employs the body’s natural response that, for the first time
ever as far as we know, induces regeneration instead of scar formation and can
safely be repeated until one gets the desired results,” Dr Des Fernandes.
Another advantage of needling over
treatments like peels and laser resurfacing is the short healing time. It can
take 10 days or more for the skin to heal following laser resurfacing and two to
six months for the redness to fade completely.
Sun sensitivity is also a major
concern following laser treatment. Needling doesn’t result in sun sensitivity
(although sunlight should be avoided for 10 days after treatment to prevent
exposure to free radicals). It’s also not as expensive as laser resurfacing,
which can cost £450-£600 for one small area of the face (eg forehead, cheek or
neck) and up to £950 for a full face.
Needling stimulates normal
collagen production rather than fibrosis (scar formation) which is often the
risk with other skin rejuvenation treatments. This is due to the stimulation of
one growth factor in particular which promotes scar-less healing due to the way
collagen fibres are laid down.
Results are longer lasting than
other treatments available like Botox and fillers, which only give temporary
results but cost around the same.
Skin is prepared with maximum
levels of Vitamin A and C, and treatments are supported with skin nutrients (look out for my blog on beauty food). This will maximise DNA activity and increase
cellular regeneration, maximising results. Needling will also increase penetration
of any creams applied to the skin following treatment. The majority of other
needling treatments on the market aren’t supported by applying active
ingredients afterwards.
My concern is that if products
are allowed to penetrate deep into the layers of the skin, surely the
practitioner should know exactly what the ingredients are?
Research at the Hanover Medical
School by Prof Matthius Aust has demonstrated a 658% increase in thickness of
the epidermis after four needling treatments combined with Vitamin A and C
skincare, compared with a 205% increase following the same number of treatments
with no skincare, showing the importance of vitamin skincare in the
rejuvenation process.
Skin must be prepared for three
months before CST treatment. The higher the levels of Vitamin A used in home care,
the better the results.
Needling can be carried out on
both the face and body. Successful results have been achieved on stretch marks,
burns scars and loose, lax skin. Needling can also be carried out on new wounds
as soon as they’ve closed up, to prevent scarring. I’m sure this will be
invaluable and a source of great peace of mind to those who’ve had accidents,
been hurt or burnt.
Results can be achieved after
just one treatment, although we recommend a course of six to get the best, long-lasting
results. It can take several months to see the full results and the best will
be seen six months to a year following treatment as the collagen and elastin
factories continue to do their job.
Before CST Body Treatment
4 years after 1 CST Body Treatment with daily use of AVST Hydrating Lotion and AVST Body Oil
Of course needling is not for
everyone. Although down-time is minimal in comparison to other procedures, and
the treatment is less painful, it really is for those who want real effects for
their skin. Rolling needles over the skin to cause bleeding is not everyone’s
cup of tea! My brother looked at me very strangely when I explained the
procedure to him. But when you understand how it actually works and look at the
many clinical studies to back it up, it makes perfect sense. My brother is in
fact the ideal candidate for needling, having suffered from acne as a child when
he was left with some scarring. If only I’d known then what I know now. But
have no fear, he’ll be on my couch undergoing a needling treatment soon!
So to sum up, the main benefits
of CST are:
·
the epidermis remains intact
·
longer-lasting effects than other advanced
aesthetic procedures
·
lower risks
·
no sun sensitivity
·
minimal down-time
·
scar-less healing
·
treatments can be carried out repeatedly as the
epidermis isn’t compromised
·
it’s less expensive than other treatments
Unfortunately I wasn’t able to
experience the treatment on my initial course and have been meaning to carry
out treatment on myself ever since I trained.
It’s extremely important to me
that I experience all the treatments we offer. This time I was able to have a
treatment, which was great as I can now advise clients what to expect through first-hand
experience.
Follow my 7-day diary on my own needling experience!
Day 1: 30th July
2012
Having travelled back from London with my arms wrapped in
cling film, I changed into a strapless top as soon as I got home! I did get
quite a few odd looks on the train.
My skin is already feeling quite tight and still looks red.
The treatment wasn’t actually painful; it’s hard to describe
the sensation. I was quite tense as I didn’t know what to expect but it
actually got easier the more the therapist did.
I’ve just applied AVST Body Oil before bed and my arms are
stinging like mad!! The skin’s already starting to feel dry to touch.
I have to teach an aerobics class in the morning so I’m
hoping it’ll feel better by the time I wake up!
Night all x
Day 2: 31st July 2012
My arms felt a lot better when I woke up this morning. They were still quite red but weren’t
stinging like they were last night. I
think they look worse than they feel!
They were fine in my morning class but I taught another two
classes in the evening so they were slightly sorer than they would have been
after a lot of friction caused by all the punching in Body Combat! I felt I had to explain to my participants
why my arms were red in case anyone noticed so I started the class late after a
massive discussion with everyone about body needling!!
Day 3: 1st August 2012
My arms felt so much better today. They are not sore at all
now and are much less red. You can see
the needle marks but because the redness has gone it is only noticeable up
close. They are still slightly tender to
the touch and the skin feels dry but I have virtually forgotten that I have had
anything done.
I can’t wait to do my next treatment now J
Day 4: 2nd August 2012
The needle marks are a lot less apparent today. The skin is very dry and the flaking has
started. They have also started to itch. It is not constant but at work I could
occasionally feel that annoying tingle that made me want to scratch. I am trying hard not to touch the area and am
making sure I use my AVST Body Oil twice a day.
