Hey there,
Kolyn here, Beat's Head of Digital Content.
When Emma came to me and asked if I'd be interested in making the videos for her treatments at Genesis Clinic, little did I realise that I too would end up undergoing a treatment of my own.
During our second visit to Genesis Clinic, Emma was undergoing a Collagen P.I.N treatment on the side of her chest when I mentioned that I also had stretchmarks that covered much of my back. Dr Godfrey-Glynn took a look at them and suggested I might be a good candidate for the procedure. I discussed it with Emma and decided to give it a go.
My stretchmarks first appeared around 13 or 14 when I was going through puberty. The growth spurt meant that I was left with marks on my back which at the time were red and fairly obvious. I got teased quite a bit in the changing room before or after PE in school. The other kids asked had I been whipped. At that stage, that's what the marks looked like. As I grow up, they began to turn a silvery colour. They've always been there and I just assumed that I was stuck with them. Obviously being told that I wasn't by Tracy was great and I was looking forward to seeing what the Collagen P.I.N could do.
I'd seen Emma already undergo the treatment so had some idea of what to expect. A 30% topical local anaesthetic was applied to my back and I lay down on the bed expecting the worst.
Tracy used the 12 needle head which would create the best results for big marks like mine. As the device began buzzing I prepared for the pain but none came. Surprisingly, it wasn't sore or unpleasant. I was shocked but relieved. I'm not one for pain!
The procedure lasted a couple of minutes as Tracy traversed the marks twice, going diagonally across each one to ensure full coverage.
The Collagen P.I.N is a micro-needling procedure which creates controlled micro-wounds in the skin. This stimulates the fibroblasts under the skin with elastin and collagen being produced. As the micro-wounds heal, new fresh skin appears, reducing the appearance of marks. It can be used for fine lines and wrinkles, acne scars, open pores, scars and other types of skin damage.
After the treatment had finished, my back was quite red but wasn't sore at all and the redness reduced within 2 days. It's recommended waiting between 4 to 8 weeks between treatments and so I waited and returned for a second procedure, this time a little more relaxed knowing that it wouldn't be painful.
Again, Tracy traversed the marks with the Collagen P.I.N and I felt no discomfort or pain. It was all over relatively quickly and it was followed up with 20 minutes under the Dermalux, a device which uses LED lights to accelerate cell renewal and stimulates the skin's natural rejuvenation. I just had to lie there as the lights did their work. It was all very relaxing.
As I said already, I really didn't think there was anything I could do about my stretchmarks. I was resigned to the fact that they'd always be there but I was delighted to learn something could be done that wasn't sore or uncomfortable. There was no downtime and I was straight back to work after it. I'm not sure I'd ever have considered a treatment like the Collagen P.I.N before but I'm glad I did and I would suggest anyone that has issues with scars or stretchmarks to look into it. I know guys are certainly more reluctant about things like this but Genesis are discreet, friendly and give great advice based on your needs.
If you've not read about Emma's laser treatment, you can do so here. She'll be discussing teeth whitening, micro-derm abrasion and fat freezing next week PLUS we'll have a chance for you to win a treatment with Genesis Clinic.
