Over the last decade growth factors have become commonplace in most anti-ageing skincare ranges, claiming miraculous, rejuvenating results. Karen Ellithorne reveals why procucts containing these actives have become so popular in aesthetic and laser clinics.

The Laserderm Aesthetic Centres recently introduced the Dermafrac Anti-Aging Facial,” says Dr Natasha Chapman. “This treatment uses micro needling to infuse high concentrations of naturally derived growth factors into the skin, which stimulates collagen production, leading to an improvement in the quality of aging skin and a reduction in fine lines and crepiness.

The hand piece creates a gentle suction on the skin, bringing it into contact with thousands of micro needles that create small channels. These penetrate down to the dermal layer of the skin just below the epidermal-dermal junction – the optimum placement for the infusion of growth factors into the skin as this is where collagen producing cells, called fibroblasts, are situated. The depth is very precise, and just above the capillary and nerve ending layer in the skin. The result is a painless yet highly effective treatment with absolutely no downtime,” describes Chapman.

She continues to say that Fraxel laser treatments are considered by many to be the gold standard in anti-aging treatments. “Fraxel is FDAapproved for the treatment of sun damage, texture, enlarged pores, acne scarring. pigmentation, and fine lines and wrinkles.

“During a treatment — a small hand piece is passed over the face, emitting hundreds of minute laser beams YOUNGER SKIN into the skin which cause precise, regular micro-injuries. This stimulates the skin to heal itself – fibroblasts are stimulated to produce more collagen, leading to a plumping of fine lines and a reduction in wrinkles and crepiness of the skin.

“The benefits from Fraxel arise primarily from the healing of the micro injuries caused by the laser. After a treatment, there is a very small window period where the thousands of tiny channels, stretching deep into the tissue, are still open. Applying serums containing natural growth factors and peptides at this stage will ensure maximal penetration of these ingredients to layers, which are impossible to reach by applying a product to the skin alone. At Laserderm Sandton, we use a skin rejuvenating solution or a tissue OLDER SKIN Deep wrinkle nutrient serum containing high concentrations of growth factors and peptides,” comments Chapman.

Read the full article:

Professional Beauty – May 2014 – Part1

Professional Beauty – May 2014 – Part 2

Professional Beauty – May 2014 – Part 3