If you search Instagram or Google for microneedling before and after photos, you will likely see some pretty alarming images. This is because microneedling involves puncturing the skin with needles.
You should only get this procedure done in a doctor’s office or by an aesthetician who is licensed. This is because the device has to be sterilized and can cause skin damage if it is not used correctly. Contact Microneedling San Diego now!
Microneedling involves puncturing the skin with tiny needles to stimulate your body’s natural healing response and produce new collagen. It helps reduce the appearance of pore size, stretch marks, and fine lines and wrinkles and tightens skin tone and texture. It’s also used to help treat acne scarring, improve uneven skin tone, and reduce rosacea flares. It can even be used to treat hair loss in the scalp by promoting growth of healthy hair follicles.
The needles used for the procedure are very short, usually up to 0.5 mm in length. This helps prevent damage to the surrounding tissues and allows for the penetration of the needles deeper into the skin without causing bleeding or other adverse effects.
Your doctor may apply a numbing cream before the treatment to prevent pain. You should let them know if you have any allergies or sensitivities to numbing creams before your visit. You should also tell your doctor if you have a bleeding disorder or take blood thinners. Your doctor will give you instructions on how to care for your skin after the procedure.
Generally, dermatologists are the best option for getting a microneedling treatment. However, aestheticians and other practitioners who have received specialized training can also perform the procedure. When choosing a practitioner, always check on their credentials and make sure they sterilize all equipment before and after each use. Avoid do-it-yourself kits that you can buy in beauty supply stores because they often don’t have the proper sterilization methods or experience to conduct a safe procedure.
A treatment typically lasts about 10-20 minutes, depending on the area being treated. Most people need 4-6 treatments to see noticeable results. In some cases, your doctor may recommend combining microneedling with platelet-rich plasma (PRP). PRP is created by spinning a sample of your own blood to concentrate the platelets and transforming growth factors in it. This solution is then applied to the skin in combination with the microneedling process for enhanced results, often referred to as a “Vampire Facial.”
The feeling of a microneedling treatment can be described as a “scratchy” or “prickly” sensation. Some patients feel it more than others, but for most, the discomfort is tolerable. Your skin will probably be red for 1 to 2 days after the procedure, but this can be helped by applying ice packs and taking over-the-counter NSAIDs if needed.
How Does Microneedling Work?
As the name implies, microneedling involves using tiny needles to penetrate your skin. Typically, your dermatologist will smooth numbing cream on your face before starting the treatment, so you won’t feel the pricks of the needles. Then, the dermatologist will move a pen-shaped or rolling tool that has needles on it around your face. The doctor will make small cuts into the surface of your skin with the needles, which causes a little bit of bleeding. This starts your body’s healing process. It sends collagen and elastin to the area of your face where you got the treatment so it can patch up those little injuries. The process also helps make your skin smoother and younger-looking.
The treatment can take anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes. Afterward, you will need to protect the treated area from sunlight and avoid scrubbing or using harsh soaps. It’s also important to not use any products on the face that contain retinol or Retin-A for at least 7 days after treatment. You should also wait to shave the treated area until after the first few days.
Although microneedling originated as a way to reduce scars, it’s becoming more popular as a beauty treatment that keeps skin plump and erases fine lines and wrinkles. It also reduces stretch marks and helps fade acne scars. It’s used by plastic surgeons, laser specialists and other medical professionals. The procedure can be done at a spa or dermatology clinic, but it’s best to go to a board-certified dermatologist to get the most dramatic and long-lasting results.
Microneedling is effective for most types of scars, including burn scars, surgical scars and ice pick scars. It’s also effective for reducing fine lines and wrinkles, improving the appearance of pores, fading uneven discoloration, and reducing sun damage.
A few weeks after your treatment, you should notice that your skin is smoother and brighter. As your body produces more collagen and elastin, it will repair the tiny wounds from the microneedling procedure, leaving you with more beautiful, younger-looking skin.
What Are the Benefits of Microneedling?
In addition to helping with fine lines and wrinkles, microneedling is effective at reducing the appearance of scars. According to a study published in the July-August 2016 issue of Indian Dermatology Online Journal, the needles can break down hardened scar tissue and encourage your body to rebuild healthy tissue. It also can minimize stretch marks.
After a numbing cream is smoothed over your face, the practitioner will move a pen-shaped or rolling tool with tiny needles over your skin. The needles make small cuts in your skin, and you may experience some bleeding. Once the needles have penetrated the top layer of your skin, they will stimulate your body to send collagen and elastin to patch up the holes. This helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles, stretch marks, and uneven skin tone.
Another benefit of microneedling is that it can help you look younger by tightening your pores and increasing the elasticity of your skin. As you get older, your body’s natural production of collagen begins to slow down. This can result in sagging skin and a dull appearance. Microneedling helps stimulate collagen production, which can improve your skin’s elasticity and give it a fresher, younger appearance.
Microneedling is also effective at reducing discoloration caused by sun damage. The small wounds created by the needles stimulate your skin to produce collagen, which can help reduce brown spots and other types of discoloration. The treatment can also be used in conjunction with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to further improve your results.
Finally, microneedling can be used to treat acne and other types of scars. The tiny injuries from the needles stimulate your skin to create new tissue, which can help reduce or even eliminate acne scars and other types of scars. It is important to note that microneedling is not a magic bullet and will likely require multiple treatments before you see significant results.
Although microneedling is safe, it is important to visit a reputable dermatologist to ensure that you are getting the best results possible. Your doctor can recommend the right treatment plan for your goals and address any questions or concerns you have.
What are the Side Effects of Microneedling?
Some people may experience redness or mild irritation for a few days following microneedling, but that’s to be expected of any treatment causing inflammation. During this time, experts recommend you avoid retinols or retinoids and alpha and beta hydroxy acids (like glycolic acid), as these can irritate your skin. Also, avoid shaving and sweating until the sensitivity resolves—that typically happens within 3-7 days. You should also delay chemical peels until 30 days after your treatment, as these can aggravate the skin.
But the benefits of microneedling are significant, particularly if you’re dealing with acne scars, fine lines and wrinkles, or uneven tone and texture. The micro-trauma caused by the needles stimulates collagen production, which can minimize indented acne scarring, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and even out skin tone and texture. Plus, the collagen-producing process can help reduce pores and tighten skin.
The experts note that while a single microneedling treatment can produce noticeable results, it’s best to have a series of treatments to really notice a difference. That’s because the process can take time to work—the body is working hard to regenerate new tissue, after all! But if you’re patient and stick with it, the experts say the results are worth it.
If you’re considering microneedling, it’s important to find a board-certified dermatologist who can perform the procedure safely and effectively. “Microneedling is a safe procedure for most people, but it’s important to make sure the treatment is performed in a clean, sterile environment by someone who knows what they’re doing,” Dr. Rablach explains.
Your dermatologist will start by washing your face and applying a numbing cream to the area that will be treated. Once the area is numb, the dermatologist will move a pen-shaped or rolling tool with small needles around your face—you’ll feel the pricks as they happen, but it shouldn’t be painful. The dermatologist will usually go over the same areas multiple times to ensure that they’re fully penetrated. The treatment lasts about 20-30 minutes. Afterward, you’ll likely need to avoid the sun for a few days. And if you’re pregnant, you should get clearance from your obstetrician or gynecologist before getting the treatment.