Many people are nervous about choosing Microneedling treatments solely because they hear “needle”. Others are nervous because of the many pictures of celebrities bloody faces all over the internet. I am here to tell you, there is nothing to be afraid of! Unless you’re afraid of achieving even toned, smooth, healthy, younger, tighter, glowing skin! Who would be afraid of that?!
What is Microneedling?
Microneedling uses a pen style device to create evenly spaced, micro punctures in the skin. The needles only penetrate from .25mm-3mm. A licensed provider will determine what depth to use depending on what area of the face is being treated and what goal we are trying to acheive. The micro punctures, which may cause very little bleeding, essentially “trick” the skin to begin it’s wound healing process. The way our body heals wounds is by producing fresh collagen and elastin. Collagen is what gives our skin firmness and elastin is what keeps our skin tight. Prior to each treatment, the patient is fully numbed. You won’t feel a thing! Treatment time is about 45 minutes. 30 minutes to numb, 20-25 mins of microneedling.
Microneedling can be done with hyaluronic acid or plasma rich platelets (PRP). The hyaluronic acid or PRP allows for the pen to glide and is what is absorbed into the micro channels that are produced with the micro-needles. It can also be injected by a licensed injector. Both produce great results; our licensed professionals will help you decide which of the two is best for you.
Who can benefit from Microneedling treatments?
The short answer… almost anyone! Microneedling is good for all skin types! It can be used to treat many different skin conditions such as, fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage, dark spots, acne scars, loose skin, large pores, stretch marks, and can even be used to help regrow hair! It also helps your skin absorb products better. Just like any skin treatment, microneedling is a process. Although you might notice some changes in your skin after just one treatment, 3-6 will be required to attain your desired results. As collagen takes time to produce the benefits of microneedling can continue up to a year after treatment.
What are the side effects of Microneedling?
After a microneedling treatment you may experience redness, swelling, a “sunburn” feeling, minor peeling, and although not common, some may experience bruising. Downtime is usually no longer than 1-3 days but may take up to a week to fully heal. It is very important to wear sunscreen during the healing process and only use gentle cleansers and moisturizers.
P.S. you should be wearing an SPF every day that ends with Y! Especially once you start your microneedling process and everyday after, to prevent any further damage.
They sell microneedling devices online, I’ll just do it at home
ABSOLUTELY NOT RECOMMENDED! A trained professional should be the only one to perform microneedling on your skin. Microneedling should be done in a clean, sterile environment by somebody who is highly trained and knowledgeable about the functions of the skin. A device that can be easily purchased by anyone is not medical grade. Needle cartridges that are not medical grade may have “hooks” on the end that can cause tearing and scarring, which can lead to infection.
Microneedling is one of the most underestimated treatments in esthetics. It is super effective, virtually painless, and requires VERY little downtime. If you haven’t tried Microneedling yet, what are you waiting for?! Call us today to book your sessions!
