Microneedling

---

Microneedling is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure that’s used to treat skin concerns by stimulating collagen production. Also known as collagen induction therapy, this treatment creates micro-punctures in the skin using miniature, sterilized needles on numbed skin. Basically tricking the skin into thinking there was an injury, which makes the skin work overtime to heal the skin.  Microneedling has very effective results on all skin textures.

• Exfoliates deeply, increasing the rate of cell turnover
• Clears up acne and breakouts
• Reduces the appearance of scars, including acne scars
• Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
• Shrinks enlarged pores
• Reduces hyperpigmentation, or dark spots
• Improves skins elasticity
• Smooths out uneven skin tone
• Reduces appearance of stretch marks
• Promotes hair growth, ie hair line and eyebrows

Wrinkles, acne scars, enlarged pores, and stretch marks can make people feel self-conscious about the uneven appearance of their skin.

Though the thought of needles may make you cringe, microneedling is not painful. A topical anesthetic cream is applied beforehand to numb the area being treated. It has few side effects other than temporary redness and swelling post-treatment. Microneedling has a shorter recovery time compared to many other resurfacing treatments.

Microneedling is an exciting treatment that has very little downtime but visible results. By creating tiny channels through the skin, allowing us to infuse serums and active ingredients more efficiently, this treatment will stimulate collagen production and improve skin texture and tone.

Microneedling, also called collagen induction therapy, is performed using a handheld, drum- or pen-shaped device, electrically powered, with tiny needles that make precise, microscopic punctures in the skin. These “micro-injuries” do not leave scars; they work by helping to stimulate the skin to repair itself naturally through a process called dermal remodeling. 

This process starts with inflammation, which stimulates the skin to produce new collagen (the elastic fibers that make skin tight, smooth, and youthful). Collagen levels in the skin decline as we age, and new collagen can be produced when the skin is in repair mode.

Three to five monthly or biweekly treatments are recommended to achieve desired results. Through a series of sessions, microneedling can increase elastic skin fibers. Microneedling also helps the epidermis (the outermost layer of skin), which naturally thins with age, become thicker and tauter.

Microneedling is used to treat a variety of skin conditions that cause depressions in the skin such as acne scarring, surgical scars, other scars, burns, enlarged pores, wrinkles, and stretch marks. (The procedure is less effective on deep, narrow “ice-pick” acne scars than on broader ones.)   

Microneedling does not deliver heat to the skin like lasers do. As a result, people who have melasma (dark patches of skin) and hyperpigmentation (dark spots on the skin) can undergo microneedling without the risk of worsening pigmentation problems. (Darker skin is susceptible to pigmentation changes as a post-inflammatory response.)   

Microneedling is sometimes used to help topical skin treatments to penetrate the skin more effectively. For example, microneedling is sometimes performed before application of minoxidil, used to treat common hair loss (androgenic alopecia, which affects both men and women). It has been shown to grow hair where there was once hair loss.

There are a few temporary side effects to be aware of with microneedling. The procedure causes short-term swelling, redness, and skin flaking, which can last for a few days. Most people can return to wearing regular makeup within a day of treatment. Skin will be more sun-sensitive after treatment, so sunscreen is also advised.