Wrinkle and Scar Reduction
Common Skin Resurfacing Treatments
Different methods exist to "resurface" facial skin and smooth fine lines, wrinkles, and shallow scars. Among them are Chemical Peels, Dermabrasion treatments, and Laser treatments. These procedures completely remove the healthy top layer of skin (Epidermis). The resulting damage stimulates the production of collagen and elastin along with the growth of new skin. Although these procedures are indeed effective, they can cause side effects including hypo-pigmentation (color loss), hyper-pigmentation (darkening), thinning of the skin, or sun sensitivity.
What is Derma-Tracing™?
Our Derma-Tracing™ techniques help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and Acne scars. The process is also known as Mutitrepannic Collagen Actuation (MCA), Needle Abrasion, Needle Dermabrasion, Skin Needling, Dry Needling, Dry Tattooing, Needling, or Stippling. It is a skin rejuvenation process that helps fill and soften wrinkles naturally with your own collagen through your body's own healing process. The procedure does not use chemicals, injections, or lasers. Results are similar to those from other skin resurfacing procedures but with less damage to the Epidermis. This is the only technique that can be repeated many times because the dermis becomes thicker in the treated areas instead of thinner.
Derma-Tracing™ has been popular in other countries (often referred to elsewhere as Skin Needling). Its use for scar tissue is well known and utilized by plastic surgeons in the United States, Europe, Canada, and South Africa. The treatments are 100% natural, relatively quick, basically painless, with a short recovery time and long-lasting results.
How Does Derma-Tracing™ Work?
Treatments are performed using the Nouveau Contour System* without any color pigments. (*See "Our High-Tech Equipment" page.) A special needle is inserted only 1 to 2 millimeters into the skin, just through the top layer. Then multiple, shallow puncture wounds are made within the borders of a line, wrinkle, or scar. This process activates the body's natural healing process. Growth factors are released that cause the production of new elastin and collagen that builds up in the treated area just below the surface of the skin. As the skin repairs itself, the deepest area of the wrinkle, line, or scar is "filled" from the deepest part (within) using its own natural collagen.
Derma-Tracing™ treatments use no artificial fillers and cause minimal dermal trauma, resulting in a rapid healing period. Because this technique does not remove the Epidermis like other resurfacing processes, the healthy skin between the lines, wrinkles, or scars remains untouched. Because the Epidermis is left intact, there are no side effects such as thinning of the skin, increased sun sensitivity, or color changes (hypo- or hyper-pigmentation). Since the dermal damage to the skin is microscopic, Derma-Tracing™ can treat sensitive areas that are avoided with other resurfacing procedures such as the eyelid areas.
Healing Process
Outer healing occurs within a few days. The skin will look red in the places where treatment occurred. Treated fine lines and wrinkles will look like they have paper cuts down their centers. With larger or circular areas (such as pitted acne scars), the treated area will look red with perhaps some swelling. The redness will last 3 to 5 days, and a light scab will form on the treated areas (scabbing occurs with most skin penetration procedures).
During the first 3-7 days, ointments should be applied to the treated areas (broken skin). When needed, the redness may be covered by applying Lycogel Camouflage Foundation or Concealer. Safe to use on broken skin, the Lycogel will disguise the red marks and heal the treated area more quickly*. (*Refer to Breathable Oxygen Makeup pages.)
Treatments and Results
Only one procedure may be necessary to smooth fine lines and wrinkles. Medium depth wrinkles may need two procedures, each being 2-6 months apart. Deep wrinkles may need three treatments 2-6 months apart. Although improvement in the treated area(s) may be noted right away, inner healing of the skin (Dermis) continues for the next 6 to 9 months. During this time the treated skin will smooth and tighten as collagen is deposited.
The Derma-Tracing™ process can also help stimulate skin cells to produce color naturally (through Melanin) in spotty or hypo-pigmented areas and scars. It may be an initial step (perhaps the only step needed) in the Color Camouflage process. [Photo gallery of actual patients will be available soon.]
