The New Wave of Medical Aesthetics

Did you know we lose up to two per cent of our natural collagen every year? Collagen helps keep skin smooth, firm and radiant. It’s the ultimate tool when it comes to reducing common signs of aging, such as changes in skin tone, texture, elasticity and firmness. Collagen can be added to everything from eye cream to your daily coffee, but there’s another way to boost your natural reserves: by boosting your natural collagen production from within.

Enter regenerative aesthetics, a new approach that harnesses the body’s own healing systems by stimulating fresh collagen production. These treatments restore the skin’s natural structure and youthful function.

This can be done in a variety of ways, each with differing methods, recovery times and results, says Montreal-based dermatologist Dr. Roni Munk, medical director at Dermapure Westmount. Dermapure operates over 65 locations in Canada, each overseen by a physician.

Here, Dr. Munk breaks down different types of regenerative aesthetic treatments, including biostimulator injectables, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and the power of exosomes, a natural, nutrient-rich material that can speed up recovery time.

Biostimulator Injectables

The word injectables can bring to mind what are sometimes referred to as fillers, which most commonly add volume to skin cells via hyaluronic acid. Such biostimulator injectables as Sculptra and Radiesse are different. They work by stimulating the continued growth of collagen and elastin over time via the active ingredients poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) or calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA). “These products are quite diluted and liquid, and once injected, their objective is to activate the body’s response to produce collagen,” says Dr. Munk. Results are less immediate with more longevity.

Blood-Based Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)

Yes, this involves your own blood. Once drawn, the vial is put into a centrifuge, a fast-spinning device that separates the nutrient-rich platelets from the other important parts of our blood, says Dr. Munk. “The result is a clear serum [full] platelets, which are responsible for clotting the blood. They reduce inflammation and can heal damaged skin.” This serum can be applied topically or via injection. You can also combine PRP with another treatment. “For example, it pairs well with any laser that opens up channels in the skin,” says Dr. Munk.

Fractional Lasers and Microneedling

Both fractional lasers and microneedling lay the groundwork for collagen production by causing this type of channel, which Dr. Munk calls “controlled trauma.” With a fractional laser, only a small portion of the skin is being heated and treated, so recovery time can be quicker. Microneedling is an aesthetic procedure where tiny needles create perforations in the skin. The micro-grooves or perforations stimulate collagen generation, he says.

Exosomes: The Latest Discovery in Skin Rejuvenation

At a visit to a Toronto-area Dermapure clinic, we received a microneedling treatment combined with an application of exosomes, the “new kids on the block,” says Dr. Munk.

Exosomes are tiny, lipid-encased sacs released by stem cells and packed with regenerative growth factors. They can be applied during a procedure or afterward to speed healing and improve results. In Canada, exosomes are plant-based.

“The reason they’re so powerful and so trendy is because they come from stem cells, and stem cells have the capacity to regenerate,” says Dr. Munk. “You’ll notice that your skin looks brighter and tighter, and it’s been shown to improve pigmentation.”

He was right. Two weeks after the treatment, our skin did appear brighter, with smaller pores in the cheek area and a smoother texture overall. Welcome to the new wave.

To learn more about Dermapure, regenerative aesthetics and to book a skin consultation at the clinic of your choice, visit dermapure.com.