Microneedling is today’s modern approach to providing outstanding results among cosmetic treatments. This treatment significantly improves skin elasticity and collagen density. Topical products become more quickly absorbed by our skin because of the channels created within the skin through microneedling.
Nowadays, dermatologists use microneedling to encourage collagen production by taking advantage of our body’s natural healing response. Let’s know more about what microneedling is and what it can do to your face.
What is Microneedling?
Microneedling is a popular cosmetic procedure because of its minimally invasive nature. This treatment is used for skin concerns through the stimulation of collagen production. Microneedling is also called collagen induction therapy and creates micro-punctures in the skin with needles that are miniature and sterilized.
Ideal candidates for microneedling must preferably be in good health. Additionally, this treatment is perfect for those with particular skin concerns that haven’t responded well to home treatments or other related dermatologic procedures like chemical peels.
As a final step before opting for more intensive cosmetic treatments, microneedling can work wonders for your skin problems. Your dermatologist will help you decide if this treatment is the right option for your skin condition.
How Does It Work
Microneedling gets the job done by encouraging your skin to produce more collagen. It creates micro-punctures that result in slight skin injuries, with the skin responding by making new collagen-rich tissue that is more even in texture and tone.
Although skin naturally loses collagen as we age or when we get injured, by encouraging our skin to create new tissues with the help of microneedling, this additional collagen helps make the skin smoother and firmer.
In addition, it may also be in conjunction with other treatments like platelet-rich plasma, radiofrequency, and topical serums. Dermatologists can help you weigh the options in deciding what additional treatment options to choose and their potential pros and cons.
Microneedling Procedure
The microneedling procedure is a standard process that follows the same steps across all clinics and med spas, with additional steps or treatments exclusive to a particular location. Here are the typical steps practiced for microneedling:
- First, approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour before you start, your doctor will begin applying topical anesthetics or numbing creams to the targeted area. This material will numb your skin during the microneedling process, lasting around 30 minutes.
- Next, your doctor or healthcare provider creates tiny pricks beneath your skin with a pen-like tool with tiny, sterilized needles. These pinpricks are so minute that you likely won’t notice them once the procedure is done.
- Then, your doctor will move the tool across the skin of your targeted area to even out the procedure, ensuring your newly rejuvenated skin will get evenly treated, too.
- Finally, the microneedling procedure finishes with applying growth serums or calming treatments. Your microneedling session will last approximately two (2) hours overall.
Benefits of Microneedling
With its gained popularity, microneedling already has a growing list of benefits. Aside from rejuvenating and plumping your skin with minimal discomfort and little downtime, practitioners can also adjust it towards every patient’s needs. Some of the other benefits you can get from microneedling include:
- reduction of the appearance of acne and acne scars
- reduction of wrinkles and fine lines
- reduction of enlarged pores
- removal of hyperpigmentation or dark spots
- smoothening of uneven skin tone
- improvement in skin elasticity
- removal of the appearance of stretch marks
- promotion of hair growth for those with alopecia
Potential Risks and Possible Side Effects
Like any other cosmetic procedure, microneedling also has some risks. The most common of its known side effects include minor skin irritations that can immediately manifest after the procedure. You may also start noticing redness over the next few days. Call your doctor or healthcare provider if you start seeing more severe after-effects like:
- bleeding
- bruising
- infection
- peeling
Additionally, you may not be the perfect candidate for microneedling if you experience the following:
- particular skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis
- active acne or open wounds
- recent radiation therapy
- history of having skin scars
Women who are expecting pregnancy, pregnant, or breastfeeding may need clearance from their obstetrician or gynecologist before undergoing the microneedling treatment.
Expect After Microneedling
Not being as invasive as plastic surgery, microneedling has minimal recovery time. Most patients need very little to no downtime at all. Skin irritation and redness may manifest within the first few days after your procedure. Still, this response is normal for your skin, especially after having minor “injuries” made to it by the tiny needles.
Return to work or school after microneedling if you’re already feeling good and comfortable. It’s best to allow your skin some healing time before applying makeup again. However, once enough time has elapsed, you can use makeup to camouflage and disguise any potential redness as it slowly dissipates.
Also, your skin becomes more sensitive to sun exposure, so apply sunscreen before going out. It’s highly recommended to wait at least one (1) week before exposing yourself to sunlight and other harsh chemicals. After microneedling, your skin will begin working reasonably quickly in rejuvenating new tissues. In theory, results should start manifesting within the next couple of weeks.
If you want to maintain your microneedling results, multiple additional sessions and perhaps other complementing procedures will do the trick. You and your doctor or healthcare provider can work on developing a plan of action, depending on your particular individual goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
“How long do the results from microneedling last?”
Results significantly differ per individual depending on their skin type, the severity of their concern, its specific location in the body, and the proposed treatment plan. Doctors or healthcare providers suggest four (4) to six (6) treatment sessions. Your skin may continue to produce an increase in collagen for the next three (3) to six (6) months after your microneedling treatment.
“Am I a good candidate for microneedling?”
The good news is that microneedling is proven safe for use and effective for any skin type, color, or texture.
“When will I see the results after my microneedling procedure?”
Most people start noticing immediate brightening of their skin right after the procedure. Over the next several days and weeks, your skin will undergo visible changes. After your microneedling treatment, results will continuously improve for the next six (6) months due to the continued collagen production.
“How many treatments will I need?”
A single microneedling treatment is enough for some patients to see optimal results. However, a series of three (3) to four (4) treatments separated by six (6) to eight (8) weeks are usually needed for most patients. This treatment series is suggested for patients with deep wrinkles, photo-aging symptoms, unwanted stretch marks, or undesirable acne scars. If you want to achieve optimal results, these conditions need to receive six (6) to eight (8) sessions, with one session every six weeks.
Final Thoughts on Microneedling
Microneedling is the non-invasive approach to our skin issues and concerns, especially if we don’t want any surgery. Consult cosmetic experts to know if this treatment is the best for your skin problems. Microneedling can work wonders for those who genuinely need it.
Do you want to experience microneedling? Our amazing friends at Bella Derma can help you today. Visit them now! https://belladermalogan.com/
