Scar Modification and Stretch Marks
At Stem Cell Clinics, we use both PRP and micro-needling therapy as solutions to those wanting to improve the appearance of scars and stretch marks.
PRP treatment involves the extraction of platelets from the patient’s own blood, and the growth factors found in these stimulate the treated area to regenerate damaged tissues and create new blood vessels, so contributing to the improved texture and appearance of the skin. Alongside our PRP treatment, through use of advanced medical skin-needling to our clients looking to reduce the appearance of superficial scars or of stretch marks. The micro-needling procedure creates controlled, micro punctures in the targeted skin’s surface, encouraging the body’s own healing process to get to work, rejuvenating and repairing the skin. As the natural production of new collagen and elastin are stimulated, any nearby wrinkles, scars or stretch marks in the skin are also reduced or eliminated in the skin healing process.
Both methods are natural and safe ways to stimulate the renewal of the skin and to make it look create smoother, brighter, and healthier.
Which areas can be treated with Micro-needling and PRP?
PRP can be used in a wide variety of areas to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes, with damaged skin including scarred skin and skin affected by stretch marks being just two examples. It is a very versatile treatment and as such scars and other damaged skin appearing almost anywhere can be treated in this way.
Whilst we specifically offer the treatment to help our patients with stretch marks and scars achieve a better result for their skin, micro-needling can also be used in the treatment of facial lines and wrinkles, sun-damaged skin and in the rejuvenation of hands.
Where either form of treatment is used to reduce scarring and stretch marks, the results achieved will be permanent as the skin will heal over the previously damaged skin. Where the treatment is for facial lines and wrinkles or for sun-damage, the ageing process will continue and therefore future treatments will be needed to maintain the effects achieved.
What does the treatment involve?
PRP
PRP scar and stretch mark treatment is quick and straight-forward. A small quantity blood is taken from your arm and processed by a centrifuge. This process separates the blood cells from the plasma. It is the pale fluid making up the plasma which is where the platelets are found, and which are then put into syringes ready to be injected in the target areas. Once injected, the platelets release their growth factors which stimulate the body’s healing process. As the platelets get to work in the scar tissue, the body begins to create new, healthy skin tissue and to establish a rich blood supply, a process which can take several weeks, as a natural healing process also would.
The procedure itself is usually completed within an hour, and patients are able to return to their normal activities immediately afterwards with no complications, wounds or soreness.
Microneedling
Microneedling treatment utilises sterile single-use medical needles which the Stem Cell Clinic practitioner will apply using the Dermaroller™ medical device, to produce thousands of micro-medical needle-columns. These are columns will placed wherever the treatment area is, and each penetrates the dermis of the skin and then closes rapidly, enabling the skin to recover in the quickest possible time. Before the treatment, we apply a topical anaesthetic to ensure your comfort throughout, and patients normally state that they feel no pain or discomfort during the treatment as a result.
The penetration of the skin causes the skin to naturally regenerate and produce new cells below the surface, in the dermis layer. Over a period of time, new collagen is formed and skin cells produced, accompanied by an enhanced blood supply. The rejuvenating impact of this healing process can take up to 6 weeks to become fully visible, but in the case of scars and stretch marks, will have permanent effects.
What are the side effects?
PRP treatment is using only substances from the patient’s own body, therefore side effects and adverse reactions are highly uncommon. It is possible that there will be some minor bleeding, bruising and/or swelling at the site of the injection, but even this risk is minimised by expert and precise work of our practitioners.
The only likely side effects patients experience with micro-needling are a temporary skin reddening which lasts a few hours post treatment, and possibly some dryness and/or mild inflammation and temporary sun sensitivity.
Infection is also a risk with any skin treatment, but we always keep the risk of this to an absolute minimum by using new needles for each patient, using only the top-grade, medical needles, and by having a meticulous approach to hygiene and the prevention of infection.
