Microneedling: Collagen Induction Therapy

Microneedling is a cosmetic procedure that Dermatologists, Plastic Surgeons and Aesthetisc Practitioners use to encourage collagen production by taking advantage of the body’s natural healing response.

Fast Facts About Microneedling

• ABOUT
  • Microneedling is a cosmetic procedure that uses small, sterilized needles to prick the skin.
  • The purpose of this treatment is to generate new collagen and skin tissue to smooth, firm, and tone skin.
  • Microneedling is mostly used on the face and may reduce the appearance of acne, scars, dark spots, wrinkles, and large pores.
• SAFETY
  • Microneedling is minimally invasive, requiring little to no downtime.
  • It’s considered safe for most people who are in overall good health.
  • The procedure may not be safe for people who use certain acne medications, for those with active acne, or for those with moderate to severe psoriasis or eczema.
  • You can experience minor redness and irritation for a few days after the procedure.
• CONVENIENCE
  • Each session may last about half an hour.
  • It’s best to see a board certified dermatologist, plastic surgeon, or cosmetic surgeon for this procedure.
  • You may need multiple treatments for the best results.
• EFFICACY
  • It’s considered effective in treating minor scarring related to acne, scars, ageing and sun damaged skin You may notice brighter, firmer skin, too.
  • Ideal results are achieved after multiple sessions but may require a long-term maintenance plan.
  • Microneedling is far more effective than at-home rollers.

What Is 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.

According to the research done, the skin’s healing process after microneedling can help reduce the appearance of scars and dark spots as well as improve skin elasticity.

Also, though more research is needed, it is  suggested that microneedling may promote hair growth in people with alopecia.

You may be an ideal candidate for this procedure if you’re in good health and have certain skin concerns that haven’t responded to home treatments or other types of dermatologic procedures, such as chemical peels.

This may also be a final step before considering more intensive cosmetic procedures. A specialist can help you decide if this is the right option for your skin.

Benefits Of Microneedling

Microneedling has gained popularity for its growing list of benefits. It is said to rejuvenate and plump the skin with minimal discomfort and very little downtime, and it can be adjusted to fit each person’s needs.

Benefits of microneedling can include:

• reducing the appearance of scars, including acne scars
• reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation, or dark spots
• smoothing uneven skin tone
• improving skin elasticity
• reducing the appearance of scars
• promoting hair growth in people with alopecia

Microneedling is considerably less expensive than laser therapy and may work better for some people. Laser treatments involve the use of heat, which can affect your skin’s pigmentation.

People with darker skin tones may prefer microneedling to laser therapy because of safety concerns in skin of color. Research on the effectiveness and safety of using laser treatment on darker skin tones is still lacking.

Targeted Areas For Microneedling

Microneedling is most often used on the face.

Scarring on other body parts may also be treated with this procedure.

However, there are other costs to consider outside of the treatment itself. While most people don’t require significant downtime, you may need to consider whether you’ll take time off from work.

You might also think about the cost of potential follow-up treatments. While microneedling is effective, it often requires touch-up treatments as part of a long-term maintenance plan.

How Does Microneedling Work?

Microneedling works by encouraging your skin to make more collagen. The pinpricks from the procedure cause slight injury to the skin and the skin responds by making new collagen-rich tissue.

This new skin tissue is more even in tone and texture. It’s common for the skin to lose collagen with age or injury. By encouraging the skin to make new tissue, additional collagen may help make the skin firmer.

Microneedling may also be combined with topical serums, nano fat, and platelet-rich plasma. A Specialist Cosmetic phycician can help you navigate the decisions regarding additional treatment options and their estimated costs.

Are There Any Risks Or Side Effects?

Like all cosmetic procedures, microneedling carries some risks. The most common side effect is minor skin irritation immediately following the procedure. You may also see redness for a few days.

Call your doctor if you notice more severe side effects, such as:

• bleeding
• bruising
• infection
• peeling

You may not be an ideal candidate for microneedling if you:

• have certain skin conditions, such aspsoriasis or eczema.
• have open wounds or active acne
• have had radiation threapy recently
• have a history of skin scars

People who are pregnant may need to be cleared by an obstetrician or gynecologist before the treatment.

Preparing For Microneedling

Before the procedure, consider talking with the doctor about ways to prepare for your appointment. You may need to stop taking certain medications, such as ibuprofen and those for acne treatment (like Accutane), well in advance of the procedure.

It’s also recommended that you avoid using agents that may increase the sensitivity of your skin. Your doctor may recommend that you stop using topical retinoids and exfoliants before your microneedling appointment.

Procedure For Microneedling

During the procedure, a doctor makes small pricks under the skin using a pen-like tool with tiny, sterilized needles. The pinpricks are so small that you likely won’t notice them after the procedure.

The doctor typically moves the tool evenly across your skin so that the newly rejuvenated skin will be even, too.

Approximately 45 minutes before the procedure, the doctor will apply a topical anesthetic to the treatment area. This will numb the skin during the microneedling process, which takes approximately 30 minutes.

The doctor may then finish your session by applying a growth serum or calming treatment. In total, the average microneedling session lasts approximately 2 hours.

What To Expect After Microneedling

Microneedling isn’t as invasive as plastic surgery, and the recovery time is minimal. Most people require very little downtime if any at all.

You may notice skin irritation and redness within the first few days following the procedure. This is a natural response to the small “injuries” made by the needles in your skin.

You can go back to work or school after the procedure if you’re comfortable. It’s best to let your skin heal before applying makeup. However, once the appropriate time has passed, camouflaging makeup can help disguise the redness as it dissipates.

Your skin will also be more sensitive to the sun, so be sure to apply sunscreen. Still, it’s recommended that you wait one week before exposing your skin to sunlight and harsh chemicals.

After microneedling, your skin works fairly quickly to rejuvenate new tissue. In theory, you should see results within a couple of weeks.

To maintain the results of your treatment, you’ll need multiple sessions and perhaps other complementing treatments. The doctor will work with you to develop a plan of action based on your individual goals.

What Is The Optimal Care For Skin After Microneedling?

Since your skin channels are open and sensitive after your procedure, it’s best to avoid the following during your first week of recovery:

• skin care products with alpha-hydroxy acids and retinol
• makeup
• sweating
• sun exposure

You can help your skin heal after microneedling by:

• staying hydrated
• using an antioxidant serum
• using a cooling mask
• using collagen-stimulating peptides

Microneedling vs. Home Rollers

Microneedling is a professional procedure that’s performed in a board certified doctor’s office. In an effort to save money, some people opt for home derma rollers instead. Unlike professional microneedling, home rollers don’t puncture the skin to layers deep enough to draw blood.

While this might seem a less painful option, you may not achieve the same results, according to the AAD. The punctures made during professional microneedling are designed to induce skin rejuvenation. With a roller device, you may achieve brighter skin at best.

If you’re interested in more effective and long-term results, microneedling may be a better option than a store-bought roller device. You may still choose to try the latter version if you want less invasive (and more temporary) results.