Microneedling – Your Dermatologist’s Favorite Skin Treatment

Microneedling (also known as collagen induction therapy) is a procedure which uses a number of micro needles to make punctures in your skin (not scary at all).

Rolling needles over your skin might sound painful and crazy but actually it’s not. Rather than using so called ‘miracle or whitening creams’ to transform your skin with fusion of chemicals it’s better to choose medical skin rejuvenation treatments.

As you can guess, skin needling works by stimulating natural healing response of your body. This fantastic treatment leads to a new, rejuvenated skin.

 

Your skin starts losing natural collagen protein as you age which leads to thinner and loose skin. Microneedling is a non invasive procedure to combat these problems.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, Microneedling has the potential to improve the look of enlarged pores, wrinkles, fine lines, stretch marks as well as scars.

This treatment has two main benefits; it boosts collagen and elastin in the skin which makes your skin look youthful and plump. Secondly, it increases absorption of active ingredients and serums deeply in pores which makes this treatment most powerful treatment to defy ageing signs.

How Does Microneedling Works?

Microneedling works by stimulating your skin to make more collagen. The pinpricks caused from the procedure cause slight injury to the skin and in response skin makes new collagen-rich tissue.

It’s normal for the skin to lose collagen via age or injury. By encouraging the skin to make new tissue, there may be more collagen to help make the skin firmer and supple.

 

How is Microneedling Performed?

Before starting the microneedling treatment, skin is cleaned then  a local anaesthetic or numbing cream will be applied to reduce the chances of pain or discomfort. Next, collagen promoting ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, Vitamic C, Vitamin A and peptides are used during the procedure.

The device is rolled on the skin to pierce the skin. Speed and needle size is adjustable if you are using dermaroller or dermastamp. After the treatment hyaluronic acid and sunblock are applied. Moreover, the entire procedure is completed in matter of 45 minutes.

Will Microneedling be painful?

Just because it says needles, it means its  painful. To reduce pain and discomfort during the procedure, dermatologists apply numbing cream is applied before the treatment. The end results are painless skin while powerful and visible skin renewal.

History of Microneedling:

Back in 1995 depressed scars such as acne pits were improved by doctors by poking hypodermic needles just under the surface of the skin. The main idea behind this was to trigger the natural healing process which boosts collagen production. This led to the invention of derma rollers.

Devices commonly used

• Dermaroller
• Dermapen
• Dermstamp

Dermalroller:

A roller with tiny needles is attached with a Y shaped handle. The handle is used to roll the needles on the surface of the skin. Sizes of dermaroller needles come in wide range between 2.0 mm and 3.0 mm each suited for particular skin issues.

Dermarollers can be used at home as well. 0.2 mm to 0.3 mm sized needles are the smallest and can be used for transdermal absorption or in simple words enhanced absorption of skin serums and products.

It is the most suitable size for the areas around the eyes and neck so longer sizes should be avoided in these regions.

0.5 mm needle is the perfect size to treat UV damage, light scarring and absorption of skin care products whereas 1.0 mm sized needles are more effective in boosting collagen production.

1.5 mm to 2.5 mm sized dermaroller needles are termed as medium depth dermarollers. Areas such as back of hands, thighs and abdomen can be rejuvenated from this size of needles such as.

Microneedling Pen

A dermapen resembles a thick marker or a vape pen and it’s electronic device. Medical professionals or skin aestheticians preferably should carry out this procedure. Dermapen tip is outfitted with 10-12 needles.

Size of the needles range from 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm and they are adjustable depending on the region of the face.

DermaStamp 

Dermastamp is quickly gaining popularity now a days. As the name suggests dermastamp works by stamping the safe and effective electrically controlled micro needles deep in the skin layers.

What to expect after Microneedling?

Microneedling has little recovery time but the first time you look in the mirror would be a bit alarming. Relax! it is completely normal. Your skin is on its way to healing itself after this intense treatment and will come back to its normal state in a few days. It is important to note that your skin is sensitive post 12 hours of treatment.

Peeling starts after 3 days of treatment. Amount of downtime varies from person to person but it usually lasts for 7- 10 days approximately.

• Cleanse your face with warm or tepid water and gently dry the treated skin. Always make sure your hands are clean when touching your face.
• Since pores are open after microneedling and sweat can lead to bacterial infection, doctors advise to avoid exercise and gym workouts.
• Avoid intentional or direct sunlight as this will increase the chances of hyperpigmentation. Protect your skin by applying broad spectrum sunscreen daily. This will protect your skin from sun damage and premature ageing.
• Refrain from using any skin care products that contain active ingredients like retinol, alpha hydroxy acids, and other such chemicals as your skin will be highly sensitive following the procedure.
• Let your skin breathe and recover after microneedling. Avoid applying makeup on your face for 24 hours as the chemicals in the products can irritate your skin.

Benefits of Microneedling

Microneedling makes your skin look youthful and glowing after single session and the results keep on improving with months. There are many benefits of collagen induction therapy.

• Treats Fine Lines And Wrinkles 

No one likes signs of ageing like fine lines and wrinkles as it makes you look older than your age. The tiny injuries caused by microneedling boosts collagen and elastin production which helps to fight lines and wrinkles.

• Reduce Acne Scars

Another interesting benefits of using fine needles is that they visibly reduce the look of ice pick scars and stretch marks as production of collagen will help to fill these scars. This treatment is super effective to treat acne and acne scars on your skin.

• Sun Damage 

Microneedling helps to reduce the appearance of sun damage, particularly hyperpigmentation and age spots. If you have a blotchy, brownish complexion, microneedling stimulates new collagen and skin cells can reinvigorate your look and even out your tone.

• Anti Ageing

As we age our skin loses elasticity so it appears lax. Dull and lack of lustrous glow is also a sign of ageing skin. Microneedling can help to treat premature signs of ageing. Your skin looks fresh and glowing post 24 hours of the treatment.

• Treat Enlarged Pores

Micropunctures caused by microneedling in skin doesnot increase the size of pores. Infact, it helps your pores appear much smaller. The collagen is stimulated around your pores, the area around the pores plump which makes your pores disappear

• Stretch Marks

Microneedling reduces the appearance of stretch marks usually during pregnancy.

• Skincare Products work better

As already explained before serums and skincare products deeply penetrate in pores of skin allowing you to reap greater benefits of the product. This make sense, because microchannels in your skin are ready to absorb products in a way your clogged pores cannot. For that reason, facial serums, moisturizers and other skin care products become more effective and show their magic.

• Fewer side effects than other treatments

As compared to other treatments like peels or laser microneedling has minimum downtime.

How often can we have Microneedling?

You can repeat microneedling every 4-6 weeks until you achieve the desired results. Dermatologists usually recommend at least three treatments for collagen production with a gap of 4-6 weeks.

However, the number of treatments depend on your skin issues and problems. Some people get perfect results after first treatment.

Contraindictions and Adverse effects:

It is very important that a medical professional carries out the microneedling treatment, otherwise, the patient may experience erythema, hyperpigmentation, bruising and scarring. Contraindications for this treatment include; active acne, pustules, eczema, skin infection, active herpes simplex, psoriasis and bleeding disorders.

Fusion Treatment with Chemical Peels:

Chemical peels exfoliate your dull, dead skin layers. Microneedling and chemical peels fusion treatment produce better results. Imagine what you can accomplish when you combine these two powerful treatments.

Microneedling is usually combined with TCA peels in order to achieve better and visible results from the acne scars treatment. It is important to note that when glycolic acid peel is combined with alpha hydroxy peel, some remarkable results were noticed for post inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Look like a Celebrity

Celebrities undoubtedly have unlimited budget for aesthetic procedures and skin care but we live in real world. Hence, most of the celebrities use microneedling as skin rejuvenation treatment.

Just to name a few, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Kim Kradashian, Demi Moore and Jennifer Anniston all love this procedure.

At the Cannes Film Festival Angelina Jolie caused such a sensation with her youthful appearance that her preference for micro-needling was covered by the Los Angeles Times.

Jennifer Aniston said, “I do micro-needling! I just learned about it a couple months ago from a facialist in New York. It allows the serums and whatever products you’re using to really soak in”

Conclusion:

Therefore, anyone who wants to improve his or her skin tone and texture, microneedling is a safe and effective procedure. Skin specialists as well as patients around the globe prefer it because of its safe nature  and remarkable results.