Stretch marks are characterized by the National Institutes of Health as irregular areas of skin. They develop as a result of rapid weight gain, which causes the skin to stretch and the elastic fibers that provide form and firmness to weaken. This results in pink to purplish streaking along the skin. There are a number of treatments available to correct this type of skin abnormality, but Isolagen therapy is one of the more recent medical developments that show promise in correcting these marks left on your skin.
Identification
Isolagen therapy is a cosmetic procedure that uses your own cells to correct skin abnormalities. The process begins with a biopsy, typically taken from the back of your ear. The harvested cells are then used to fabricate dermal fibroblasts in a laboratory. Once a sufficient quantity is created, a portion of these cells are injected into the areas of your skin affected by the abnormality. Fibroblast cells are typically administered over a course of three sessions, with two weeks between each session.
Features
The reason that these fibroblast cells reduce the signs of skin abnormalities is still unknown. However, the Food and Drug Administration explains that the belief is that these fibroblasts supply the dermis, or the layer just under the surface of your skin, with extracellular matrix proteins. These proteins stimulate and modify pre-existing tissue, correcting skin abnormalities.
Function
For the most part, Isolagen is used to lessen fine lines and wrinkles, namely those that develop along the nasolabial folds. It's also been used to correct scarring from acne, surgery and trauma. However, anecdotal evidence indicates that this cosmetic procedure could also work on stretch marks, explains Medical Insight News.
Stretch Marks
Besides the actual stretching of the skin, stretch marks develop as a result of weakening elastic fibers in the skin. These fibers are made up of collagen and elastin, which are both dermal proteins. Since the fibroblasts used in Isolagen supply the dermis with proteins that stimulate and modify pre-existing tissue, the therapy could strengthen the damaged collagen and elastin, reducing the appearance of the stretch marks.
Treatment
The Food and Drug Administration, however, recommends using Isolagen with other forms of treatment to improve stretch marks. This includes chemical peels, laser therapy and Botox injections. Isolagen is also said to prolong the effects of collagen injections, a soft tissue filler used to fill indentation in the skin.
