Collagen Induction Therapy in Aesthetic Medicine
Let’s get into collagen induction therapy - one of the hottest topics in aesthetic medicine today.
Thanks to its use in media coverage, this term is now being widely used by patients looking for anti-ageing treatments. But what is collagen induction therapy and which specific treatments does the term refer to?
Here’s a quick overview detailing what collagen induction therapy is and how you can add the treatments to your practice…
What is collagen induction therapy?
The simple answer is that ‘collagen induction therapy’ is any treatment or procedure that stimulates the body’s own collagen production.
These regenerative treatments take advantage of natural physiological processes of the body. Collagen is one of the key building blocks of our skin, providing support and structure. It’s a naturally occurring protein which helps to keep your skin supple and healthy-looking.
However, it’s also one of the first elements to be affected by the ageing process, with collagen production gradually slowing down from our mid-20s.
As collagen decreases start to become visible, they contribute to outward signs of ageing such as fine lines and skin laxity. So encouraging collagen production represents a trending space in the market to improve skin quality and tightness.
Which aesthetic treatments are classed as collagen induction therapies?
This is where things start to get tricky!
Since the media started using the phrase, its popularity has soared and now patients are asking for collagen induction therapy by name. Whilst historically, this has meant one specific treatment, the definition does allow for it to be applied to others.
Let’s break it down…
Collagen induction therapy has traditionally meant microneedling
The term ‘collagen induction therapy’ has traditionally only been used by the aesthetics industry to refer to microneedling. This is still what the term tends to refer to in many cases.
Microneedling is an effective way to boost collagen production and offers reasonably low costs and minimal downtime for a high reward. This includes handheld and electronic devices.
It’s a treatment aesthetic practitioners often report as having high levels of patient satisfaction. We know this is certainly the case at The Academy Clinic where patients love our microneedling sessions.
If you’ve taken our Cosmetic Dermatology Course and enjoyed your practical microneedling training, you’ll know how happy the patients tend to be!
Radiofrequency microneedling is also classed as a more invasive collagen induction therapy, compared with the more traditional forms of microneedling.
Microneedling offers a chance to see your patients more regularly
Many aesthetic treatments - fillers and some skin injectables - have results which last for 6 to 12 months. This can mean you’re not seeing your patients that regularly - a hindrance when you’re trying to build a relationship.
Microneedling requires more regular sessions, however. As such it offers a fantastic opportunity to shepherd your patients through the process and really gain their trust.
Harley Academy Cosmetic Dermatology Lead, Maja Swierczynska advises the following regularity for microneedling appointments:
- Patients in their 30s will benefit from a course of 4 treatments once per year, where each session is conducted 4 weeks apart
- For patients in their 40s and above, a course of 6 sessions once per year is recommended, again, these should be booked in for 1 every 4 weeks.
She advises, “Whilst some results will be noticeable a week after treatment, others will be at their peak 12 to 32 weeks later. This is because your skin takes up to 32 weeks to remodel collagen and elastin fibres.”
Other aesthetic treatments that are considered collagen induction therapies
As the definition allows scope for any collagen-inducing treatments to be classed as a ‘collagen induction therapy’, many injectables can fall under this umbrella. It’s no longer just a case of this referring only to microneedling.
Here are some popular examples…
Profhilo®
Attendees on our Profhilo Training Course are all taught exactly how this game-changing ‘skinjectable’ works. It uses a unique, patented thermally-stabilised injectable hyaluronic acid formulation to treat skin laxity.
When injected into the dermis, Profhilo® can deeply hydrate the skin and encourage ‘bioremodelling’ to address fine lines, laxity, crepiness and dehydration.
It’s bioremodelling properties promote firmness, tone and elasticity of tissues. The company describes this as “leading to a dynamic multilevel remodelling of the extracellular matrix in terms of elasticity and support, as well as maintaining and promoting the normal vitality of fibroblasts, keratinocytes and adipocytes”.
This process can stimulate the body’s own collagen and elastin production over time.
Profhilo® Structura
Profhilo’s new stablemate, Structura offers a similar mode of action at a much deeper level. This addresses the fat pads directly, rather than the dermis, which is an entirely novel approach.
Profhilo® Structura stimulates both collagen and elastin whilst also regenerating subcutaneous fat to provide results similar to some filler treatments.
It’s been designed to treat ‘sinking’ and ‘sagging’ indications in your facial aesthetics patients. This covers those with skin laxity, concerns around lower face ‘heaviness’ such as jowling, as well as patients with volume loss and increased bone structure prominence.
In addition to its filler-like outcomes, it can also enhance skin quality due to its stimulatory effects and ‘spread’.
If you want to introduce this game-changing skinjectable to your practice, just take our official Profhilo Structura Training Course!
Polynucleotides
This new kid on the block is incredibly popular for both full-face and under-eye treatments. It involves injecting a highly purified gel made from a fish-derived substance.
Once administered, this skin booster treatment switches fibroblast function on. This offers hydration, reduction in fine lines, plus anti-free radical activity which is biostimulatory in nature.
Polynucleotides can stimulate both collagen and elastin production, placing them firmly in this category.
Anecdotally said to also brighten the skin, especially dark circles under the eyes, it’s currently an in-demand treatment.
If you’d like to learn how to administer them safely and effectively, book on to our Polynucleotides Training Course.
Biostimulatory CaHA fillers
Regular hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers are minimally biostimulatory and are, therefore, not classed as classically collagen-inducing.
Many of the new generation of soft tissue fillers - for example, those containing calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA), poly-l-lactic acid, polycaprolactone or polymethylmethacrylate - are, however. As such, they do meet the broad criteria for this term.
These ingredients are biostimulatory, meaning they can stimulate the dermal fibroblasts into producing collagen.
CaHA fillers, such as Radiesse and HArmonyCA, are becoming increasingly popular for this reason.
Not only do these injectable gels add volume, as with regular hyaluronic acid-based fillers, they also encourage better skin quality over time. This additional attribute encourages a longevity to the appearance of your treatment outcomes, that patients welcome.
Additional collagen-stimulating treatments
Beyond this, below are some examples of other treatments that can be considered ‘collagen-stimulating’. Therefore, they technically also fall under the banner of ‘collagen induction therapy’.
- Platelet rich plasma injections (PRP)
- LED light therapy
- Chemical peels
- Laser treatments
- PDO threads
- Topical retinol
- Topical vitamin C skincare products.
Always clarify your patients’ goals
As you can see, with one term potentially having many meanings, there’s a lot of room for error! When a patient enquires about collagen induction therapy, take the time to explore their concerns and goals.
Explain to them what you’ve taken from the information they’ve given you and discuss your treatment recommendations. From there, you can ensure alignment on the precise type of treatment they’re looking for.
Share your expertise to help educate patients
Often the media can misuse terms which then leads to confused patients. It’s your job as a medical aesthetic practitioner to share your expertise. Educating and guiding your patients by providing the correct information, will empower them to make an informed decision.
It may be that what they thought they wanted isn’t what will actually achieve their goals. Don’t be afraid to gently explain this to them and suggest what route you’d recommend instead.
Requesting a treatment that won’t address their concerns is something you’ll come across frequently as an aesthetics practitioner. As such, the benefits of taking your time during the clinical consultation process to really understand and openly discuss their reasons for treatment, shouldn’t be underestimated.
The more thorough your consultation, the clearer the directive and the better the outcomes!
Inspire confidence
This approach, where you’re actively listening, sharing your knowledge and educating your patients, pays dividends. Demonstrating your expertise and care can help to inspire confidence in you as their aesthetic practitioner. This makes for a more relaxed, comfortable client and starts to build a trusting relationship between you.
Every patient wants an injector they can trust with their face. The more you show them why you’re a safe pair of hands, the better they’ll feel.
When the outcomes you deliver also align with their goals, you’ll be on track to build a loyal client base from word-of-mouth referrals. It’s a tried and tested method for getting your clinic diary booked up in advance with minimal effort!
Expand your treatment menu
We offer many cosmetic courses which cover collagen induction therapy in its various forms. From our Cosmetic Dermatology Course to standalone Polynucleotides Training and Profhilo courses, there are options to help you expand your treatment menu.
Each of these therapies are quick to learn so you can get going with minimal time away from your practice.
If you’re interested in exploring how best to bring novel, in-demand skin treatments to your patients, just browse our skin courses for information. You can book many of them online.
Alternatively, for further details or if you’d just like to talk through your options for a more personal advisory experience, please book a call with our fantastic Course Advisors.
They’ll listen to what you want to achieve and advise you on the best pathway to get you there, with no hard sell. A friendly chat is all it takes to get you started!
All information correct at time of publication
