Regenerative aesthetics: Wound healing & growth factors for collagen biostimulation

Interestingly, the biochemical pathways involved in skin rejuvenation and wound healing share notable similarities. This connection forms the basis for many clinical regenerative aesthetical treatments designed to stimulate collagen production. Interventions, such as chemical peelings and energy-based devices, work by creating controlled damage (wound) to trigger the skin's natural healing response, while topical treatments can include growth factors to boost collagen synthesis (biostimulation) and promote skin regeneration [1].
 
Wound healing is a complex biological process that relies on the synchronized actions of various cell types, guided by growth factors and cytokines [2]. Central to this regenerative process is collagen, a crucial component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) giving skin strenght and structure, however is declining as we age and therefore a primary target for skin (pre)rejuvenation treatments. Collagen's plays vital roles throughout the wound healing process [3].
 
The wound healing process has four distinct however overlapping phases (illustration): [3][4]
1. Hemostasis: 
▌Platelets release growth factors including PDGF, IGF, TGF-α/β, and EGF, initiating the wound healing cascade and attracting immune cells to the wound site [3][5].
2. Inflammation: 
▌ Growth factors and cytokines released by platelets and immune cells promote inflammation and cellular migration [5].
▌Macrophages produce additional growth factors, including FGF, which induces fibroblast activation and proliferation [5].
3. Proliferation: 
▌PDGF and TGF-β stimulate fibroblast migration, proliferation, and collagen production [4][5].
▌FGF promotes fibroblast proliferation and angiogenesis [4].
▌VEGF is crucial for angiogenesis and the formation of granulation tissue [5][6].
▌KGF and EGF facilitate reepithelialization by stimulating keratinocyte migration and proliferation [6].
4. Remodeling: 
▌ TGF-β influences the transition from type III to type I collagen, improving wound strength [3][5].
▌This phase can last from 3 weeks to 2 years post-injury [5].
This explains why biostimulation of collagen production is a gradual process and ultimate results can take weeks or even months.
 
Initially, type III collagen is deposited in the granulation tissue, forming a loose matrix with other components like hyaluronic acid and fibronectin [3][5].
▌During remodeling, type III collagen is gradually replaced by stronger type I collagen, increasing the mechanical strength of the tissue [3][5].
▌The collagen fibers are rearranged into a more organized lattice structure, although newly formed scar tissue has only 70-80% of the tensile strength of intact skin [5].
▌ Fibroblasts and myofibroblasts, stimulated by growth factors, are responsible for collagen production and remodeling [5][7].
Impairments in any phase of wound healing can lead to chronic, non-healing wounds, which is a growing concern in healthcare [3].

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GROWTH FACTORS
Growth factors (GF) are naturally occurring polypeptides secreted by various cells including the dermal fibroblast, facilitating signaling pathways between and within cells throughout the healing phases [6]. These factors, including Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β), among others, function synergistically to guide the wound from injury to complete tissue regeneration [4].
 
Topical applied growth factors can support this skin rejuvenation healing process [8][9]. However, direct application of growth factors to wounds faces challenges such as rapid degradation in the wound environment and the need for high doses to achieve clinical efficacy [4].
 
COLLAGEN
Collagen, whether in its natural fibrillar form or as soluble parts in the wound environment, closely interacts with these growth factors [3]. Collagen not only provides structural support to the skin, it also actively participates in cell signaling, influencing key processes such as hemostasis, inflammation resolution, angiogenesis, and matrix remodeling [3][10]. The interaction between growth factors and collagen creates a lively environment that is essential for effective wound healing.
 
Some studies suggest potential benefits of oral collagen supplements [11][12][13] and topical collagen products [14] for wound healing. A high quality collagen powder does have right building blocks (amino acids: proline, glycine and hydroxyproline) for collagen production. The effects may vary depending on the type of wound, collagen formulation, and application method.
 
Exosomes [15]
Exosomes isolated from stem cell cultures contain various growth factors, including EGF, VEGF, TGF, HGF, FGF, IGF, and PDGF. These growth factors play crucial roles in skin regeneration, anti-aging effects, and wound healing by promoting fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis.
 
The use of skin´s own healing power via a regenerative aesthetic treatment causing controlled injury is collagen biostimulatory and the use of topical growth factors, exosomes and oral collagen powders may enhance the outcome. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional to determine what the most suitable approach is for your needs and goals. 

 
Take care
Anne-Marie
 
References:
[1] Goldman R. Growth factors and chronic wound healing: past, present, and future. Adv Skin Wound Care. 2004 Jan-Feb;17(1):24-35. doi: 10.1097/00129334-200401000-00012. PMID: 14752324.
[2] Barrientos S, Brem H, Stojadinovic O, Tomic-Canic M. Clinical application of growth factors and cytokines in wound healing. Wound Repair Regen. 2014 Sep-Oct;22(5):569-78. doi: 10.1111/wrr.12205. PMID: 24942811; PMCID: PMC4812574.
[3] Mathew-Steiner SS, Roy S, Sen CK. Collagen in Wound Healing. Bioengineering (Basel). 2021 May 11;8(5):63. doi: 10.3390/bioengineering8050063. PMID: 34064689; PMCID: PMC8151502.
[4] Vaidyanathan, L. (2021). Growth Factors in Wound Healing – A Review. Biomedical and Pharmacology Journal, 14(3). DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.13005/bpj/2249 
[5] Park JW, Hwang SR, Yoon IS. Advanced Growth Factor Delivery Systems in Wound Management and Skin Regeneration. Molecules. 2017 Jul 27;22(8):1259. doi: 10.3390/molecules22081259. PMID: 28749427; PMCID: PMC6152378.
[6] Barrientos, S., Stojadinovic, O., Golinko, M.S., Brem, H., & Tomic-Canic, M. (2008). Growth factors and cytokines in wound healing. Wound Repair and Regeneration, 16(5), 585–601.
[7] Hochstein, A. O., & Bhatia, A. (2014). Collagen: Its Role in Wound Healing. Podiatry Management, 33(6), 103-110.
[8] Zarei, F., & Soleimaninejad, M. (2018). Role of growth factors and biomaterials in wound healing. Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology, 46(sup1), 906–911. 
[9] La Monica, F.; Campora, S.; Ghersi, G. Collagen-Based Scaffolds for Chronic Skin Wound Treatment. Gels 2024, 10, 137. https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10020137
[10] Shi, S., Wang, L., Song, C. et al. Recent progresses of collagen dressings for chronic skin wound healing. Collagen & Leather 5, 31 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s42825-023-00136-4
[11] Bagheri Miyab K, Alipoor E, Vaghardoost R, Saberi Isfeedvajani M, Yaseri M, Djafarian K, Hosseinzadeh-Attar MJ. The effect of a hydrolyzed collagen-based supplement on wound healing in patients with burn: A randomized double-blind pilot clinical trial. Burns. 2020 Feb;46(1):156-163. doi: 10.1016/j.burns.2019.02.015. Epub 2019 Dec 16. PMID: 31859087.
[12] Choi FD, Sung CT, Juhasz ML, Mesinkovsk NA. Oral Collagen Supplementation: A Systematic Review of Dermatological Applications. J Drugs Dermatol. 2019 Jan 1;18(1):9-16. PMID: 30681787.
[13] Katayoun Bagheri Miyab, Elham Alipoor, Reza Vaghardoost, Mohsen Saberi Isfeedvajani, Mehdi Yaseri, Kurosh Djafarian, Mohammad Javad Hosseinzadeh-Attar,
The effect of a hydrolyzed collagen-based supplement on wound healing in patients with burn: A randomized double-blind pilot clinical trial, Burns, Volume 46, Issue 1, 2020, Pages 156-163,ISSN 0305-4179, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2019.02.015.
[14] Friedman, A., et al. (2019). A Head-to-Head Comparison of Topical Collagen Powder to Primary Closure for Acute Full-Thickness Punch Biopsy-Induced Human Wounds: An Internally Controlled Pilot Study. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.
[15] Kim, J. Y., & Park, Y. H. (2017). Stem cell-derived exosome containing high amount of growth factors (World Intellectual Property Organization Patent No. WO2017123022A1). Google Patents.

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