Anatomy and Physiology (Fibroblasts, collagen and Elastin)
Fibroblasts, collagen and Elastin
Glycation
Glycation is where the glucose in your bloodstream attaches to proteins causing them to from new molecules. These are known as Advanced Glycation End Products (AGE’s) which degrade collagen and elastin in the dermis by making it harden and lose elasticity – a huge factor in skin wrinkling.
Glycation affects the mechanical function of the load bearing collagen fibrils. If the collagen fibrils can’t support loads, then the molecules within the fibrils slide. To prevent this collagen “cross linking” with elastin is crucial in regaining tensile strength. The tensile strength of connective tissue is profoundly altered when cross-linking is inhibited by Glycation and the scaffolding of our skin loses its elasticity under tension.
The activation of an inflammatory response by the plasma pen improves “Viscoelasticity” and prevents future negative behaviours (such as stiffness ad stress relaxation) caused by Glycation. Collagen and elastin structures can accommodate loads and higher levels of tissue strain. The positive changes we make to the collagen and elastin mechanics supports tissue homeostasis (Stability).
In a nutshell the plasma pen strengthen, repairs and rebuilds the skin scaffolding.
Plasma pen targets “Fibroblasts” which are the most common cells of connective tissues in our body and those which synthesise the “extracellular matrix” and connective tissue fibres (Including the collagen and elastin fibres)
We target cells with precision heat and trauma. Inflammation starts minutes after our micro injuries occur which increase blood flow to the area. The body immediately sends repair tools to the region which activates and stimulates the fibroblast cells and tells them to create new cells. These new fibroblast cells spread towards the trauma and leave behind elastin cells and the good types of new collagen. Production of collagen occurs for weeks and months after trauma.
Collagen is what provides the structural support for our cells and tissues. Without effective “cross linking” of collagen and elastin fibres the skin scaffolding loses integrity.
In order to fix the collagen and strengthen the scaffolding, plasma pen kickstarts the process of collagen production, alignment and cross linking – all critical to the process of reducing our fine lines and wrinkles.
Types of Collagen
Collagen is the main structural and most abundant protein in our connective tissue. It makes up 25% to 35% of our body’s entire protein content. Collagen consists of amino acids wound together to form elongated fibrils. They are mostly found in our fibrous tissue such as our tendons, our ligaments and our skin.
Ø Type Ι – Provides strength in dense connective tissue of the skin. It is the most abundant collagen in the human body and Is present in scar tissue. It is the end product of our tissue healing by repair.
Ø Type ΙΙΙ – Reticular fibres and wound collagen. Type ΙΙΙ can only be produced by fibroblasts.
Ø Type VΙΙ – Collagen forms into specialised structures called anchoring fibrils which help attach basal layer of the epidermis to the underlying connective tissue (aka the demoepidermal junctions which join the epidermal and dermal layers of the skin).
It takes about 3 months for the Type ΙΙΙ collagen to synthesise into tougher Type Ι collagen. That’s one of the reasons you should not treat the same precise area with Plasma Pen during that period.