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Apligraf® is a unique,
advanced treatment for healing. It is created from cells found in
healthy human skin. Which explains why it looks like a thin, piece
of real skin.
It is used to heal ulcers such as diabetic foot and venous
leg ulcers that are not healing after 3-4 weeks, despite treatment
with conventional therapies.
When healthy skin gets wounded, the proteins and growth
factors in the skin stimulate the body to regenerate new skin. This
is the normal wound healing process.1
However with certain diseases (like diabetes and circulatory
problems), the skin is missing these biological substances, and the
healing cycle is broken. This leads to the development of
non-healing ulcers and wounds.2,3
Apligraf® contains two
types of cells – an outer layer of protective skin cells, and
an inner layer of cells contained within collagen. Both types of
cells contain substances similiar to those found in human skin.
Apligraf® does not contain
certain things in skin such as hair follicles, sweat glands or blood
vessels.
Apligraf® plays an
active role in healing by providing to the wound living cells,
proteins produced by the cells, and collagen, which are important
for healing.
How is Apligraf®
different from other wound therapies?
Apligraf® is different
because it is NOT a cream, ointment, or traditional wound dressing.
It is a living treatment made to treat non-healing ulcers.
Apligraf® is placed
directly on the wound.
The wound is then covered with a non-adhesive dressing to
keep Apligraf® in place. The
area is then wrapped with other dressings that are changed weekly by
the doctor or nurse. The healing process now begins, and improvement
of the wound can usually be seen within weeks.
Many wound therapies, like dressings and antibacterial
treatments, are designed to manage a wound until the body heals
itself. Apligraf® plays a more
active role in the wound healing process. Apligraf® delivers to the wound living
cells, proteins produced by the cells, and collagen which are
important for healing.
Apligraf® is a
prescription product that must be applied by a medical professional.
It is not available in pharmacies nor can it be purchased online. To
use our locator to find a Wound Care Center with Apligraf® experience nearest you, click here.
Which
Wounds Does Apligraf® Treat?
Learn
about Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Learn
about Venous Leg Ulcers
How
Apligraf® Works
The
Science behind Apligraf®
Clinical
Experience
How
does Apligraf® Compare?
How
is Apligraf® Applied?
After Care/
What to Expect?
Safety
Information
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