Research and Evidence
Collagen Induction Research (Anti Aging)
Loss of collagen over time is one of the leading causes of the signs of aging in skin. Micro needling can dramatically increase skin collagen production to improve the skins appearance.
A 2006 study showed an average increase of 206% in collagen fibres after a single treatment. The highest increase in collagen induction recorded was 1,000% after a single treatment (1).
This study also showed that even though a 1.5mm roller was used, collagen induction only took place to a maximum depth of 0.5-0.6mm showing the advantages of using shorter needles.
In 2008 480 patients with fine wrinkles, lax skin, scarring, and stretch marks rated their improvement as between 60-80% better following micro needling. (2)
Skin punch biopsy's of 20 patients in this study, showed the skin had thickened 40% in the stratum spinosa. This is of great benefit for those with thinning skin.
A 2010 study showed a 140% increase in the thickness of the epidermis and also showed an increase in gene and protein expression of collagen 1, and growth factors such as VEGF and EGF. It also demonstrated an increase in the number of and thickness of the collagen bundles (3).
A small trial in 2010 also showed positive initial results with hand rejuvenation in both skin texture and skin tightening (4).
A 2011 study directly compared micro needling to Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy. The study concluded that micro needling resulted in greater skin thickening and expression of collagen type 1 as well as total collagen content (5).
Micro Needling to reduce Scars
A 2009 study showed that 34 of 37 people treated with a micro needle roller received a 1 or 2 grade improvement in the appearance of the scars (6).
In 2010 16 patients suffering post burn scars were treated with a micro needle roller and rated their average improvement at 80%.
When the skin was examined 12 months later a large increase in collagen and elastin was found and a 45% thickening of one of the damaged surface levels of the skin (7)
Improving Stretch Marks
In 2010 22 women, suffering stretch marks showed significant increases in both collagen and elastin fibres in the area following treatment with a micro needle roller (8).
Trans-dermal Absorption
It is well know that micro needling dramatically increases the absorption of products applied to the skin.
A study in 1998 showed that this increase can vary between 1000-10,000 times, dramatically increasing the absorption of beauty products through the skin (9).
Safe for Multi-racial Skin
A 2008 study demonstrated that micro needling does not result in the loss of melanocytes. This means there is no risk of dyspigmentation or hyper pigmentation for those with darker skin (10).
Green Tea Oil Research
Green tea is particularly effective for anti-aging. Applied to the skin it can prevent UV damage and prevent the damage UV radiation can cause to DNA. It has also been shown to be more effective than the most popular 21 anti aging herbs found in Europe and to decrease acne outbreaks (11, 12)
The oil contains a high percentage of polyphenols which are some of the most potent and effective anti-oxidant compounds available (13).
The oil is particularly rich in anti-oxidants and at least 9 major anti-oxidant compounds have so far been identified (13).
The oil demonstrates strong antimicrobial properties (14).
Green tea oil has shown strong anti-proliferative properties against at least three major forms of cancer (13).
References
1. 4-Schwartz et al, 2006, internet paper. Abstract reflections about COLLAGEN-INDUCTION-THERAPY (CIT) A Hypothesis for the Mechanism of Action of Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT) using Micro-Needles; 1st edition February 2006. 2nd revision January 2007 Horst Liebl
2. Aust, M. C., Fernandes, D., Kolokythas, P., Kaplan, H. M, & Vogt, P. M. (2008). Percutaneous Collagen induction therapy an alternative treatment for scars, wrinkles and skin laxity. Plast Reconstr Surg. 121, 1421-1429.
3. Aust, M. C., Reimers, K., Kaplan, H. M., Stahl, F,. Repenning, C., Scheper, T., Jahn, S., Schwaiger, N., Ipaktchi, R., Redeker, J., Altintas, M. A. & Vogt, P. M. (2011). Percutaneous collagen induction regeneration in place of cicatrisation? Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery. 64, 97-107
4. Aust, M., Knobloch, K., Gohritz, A., Vogt, P. M. & Fernandes, D.(2010). Percutaneous Collagen Induction Therapy for Hand Rejuvenation. Plast Reconstr Surg. Oct 126(4), 203e-204e.
5. Kim, S. E., Lee, J. H., Kwon, H. B., Ahn, B. J. & Lee, A. Y. (2011). Greater collagen deposition with the micro needle therapy system than with intense pulsed light. Dermatol Surg. Mar 37(3), 336-341
6. Majid, I.(2009). Micro needling Therapy in Atrophic Facial Scars: An Objective Assessment. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. Jan–Jun 2(1), 26–30.
7. Aust, M. C., Knobloch, K., Reimers, K., Redeker, J., Ipaktchi, R., Altintas, M.A., Gohritz, A., Schwaiger, N. & Vogt, P. M. (2010). Percutaneous collagen induction therapy: an alternative treatment for burn scars. Burns. Sep 36(6), 836-43. Epub 2010 Jan 13.
8. Aust, M.C., Vogt, P. M. & Knobloch, K. (2010). Percutaneous collagen induction therapy as a therapeutic option for striae distensae. Plast Reconstr Surg. Oct 126(4), 219e-220e.
9. Henry, S. McAllister, D.V. Allen, M.G. Prausnitz, M.R. (1998). Micro fabricated micro needles: a novel approach to transdermal drug delivery. J Pharm Sci. Aug87(8), 922-925.
10. Aust, M.C., Reimers, K., Repenning, C., Stahl, F., Jahn, S., Guggenheim, M., Schwaiger, N., Gohritz, A. & Vogt, P. M. (2008). Percutaneous collagen induction: minimally invasive skin rejuvenation without risk of hyperpigmentation-fact or fiction? Plast Reconstr Surg. 122(5), 1553-63.
11. Thring, T. S., Hili, P. & Naughton, D. P. (2009). Anti-collagenase, anti-elastase and anti-oxidant activities of extracts from 21 plants. BMC Complement Altern Med. Aug 4, 9, 27.
12. Elsaie, M. L., Abdelhamid, M. F., Elsaaiee, L. T. & Emam, H. M. (2009). The efficacy of topical 2% green tea lotion in mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris. J Drugs Dermatol. Apr, 8(4), 358-364.
13. Chen, Y. H. (2007). Physiochemical properties and bioactivities of tea seed ( Camellia oleifera) oil, Clemson Univeristy.
14. Hou, R. Y., Wan, X. C. & Wu, H. P. (2006). Preliminary Studies on antimicrobial action of tea saponin. Food Sci. 27(1), 51-54.