Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure used to stimulate your skin to rejuvenate itself by using its own natural wound healing process. Microneedling is also known as collagen induction therapy or CIT, but it does much more than just stimulate new collagen production.
Microneedling is suitable for all skin types, dark to light, and has little to no downtime for patients.
Microneedling targets three types of skin cells, keratinocytes, melanocytes and fibroblasts, to achieve smoother, plumper, more even-toned skin, with fewer lines and wrinkles. And microneedling isn’t just for the face! As we all know, aging doesn’t just affect our face, it commonly shows visible signs in the neck, decolletage and hands. In fact, as with many other skin treatments, I recommend microneedling of the neck, decolletage, hands and other parts of the body. Microneedling is also used to treat lax skin, stretch marks and surgical scars.
If you are worried or nervous about needles and products being injected into your skin, but do want to address your skin concerns, then read on, because microneedling may be just the right treatment for you.
These micro-injuries trigger the body’s natural healing response to break down damaged tissue and replace it with freshly stimulated new cells. These cells start to repair and remodel the skin as they produce new collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid to support the layers of the skin. SkinPen Precision Microneedling fades pigmentation and scars, tightens lax skin, tightens enlarged pores and leads to firmer, smoother and fresher looking skin
Thinking about microneedling? Read on to find out about the benefits of this transformative treatment for a range of skin concerns.
Reduce the Appearance of Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles is one of the most common reasons why patients and doctors alike choose microneedling. Our skin is constantly producing, breaking down and replacing collagen and elastin. It is also producing, breaking down and replacing hyaluronic acid, which gives skin it hydration.
As we age, this turnover slows down, and our collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid break down faster than the fibroblast cells can replace them, creating the signs of aging skin that we all recognise, especially fine lines and wrinkles.
Microneedling can help turn back the clock by stimulating fibroblast cells as part of the natural wound healing response, and these stimulated fibroblasts start to produce collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, giving your skin a much-needed boost.
Microneedling can also help tighten lax skin – for example, if you are getting fitter and healthier but finding that, with the loss of inches you are gaining loose skin, think about microneedling to help tighten lax skin on the arms, abdomen and other parts of the body.
Fade Acne Scars and Discoloration
Acne scars and discoloration can be difficult but not impossible, to reduce.Microneedling helps improve the appearance of acne scars by breaking down old scar tissue and promoting the growth of new healthy skin cells.
Acne scars can also be associated with darker pigmentation as a result of PIH, or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The inflammation caused by acne can trigger the pigment producing cells, the melanocytes, to become overactive, and cause the scars to become pigmented. This may be more common in patients with darker complexions.
The same melanocyte overactivity can cause discolouration simply due to age (age spots).
Microneedling targets melanocytes in the skin to help achieve a more even skin tone. If you’re struggling with acne scars or uneven skin tone, then microneedling may be just what you are looking for.
Tighten Pore Size
The effect of microneedling on collagen stimulation around enlarged pores can help tighten enlarged pores and improve their overall appearance.
Safety
If you are worried or nervous about needles and products being injected into your skin, but do want to address your skin concerns as safely as possible, then read on, because microneedling may be just the right treatment for you.
All microneedling devices are not the same.
The SkinPen Precision microneedling pen that I use has state of the art, smooth Japanese steel needles in the cartridge tip to create precise, controlled-depth micro-injuries. The needles can be finely adjusted to different depths from as little as 0.25mm. Compare this to skin boosters and bio stimulatory injections of products, which involve needles being injected far deeper (3mm or more).
You need to ensure that your practitioner pays attention to reducing risk of infection, and risk of cross contamination. The SkinPen Precision device is FDA approved, and the first completely sealed device to prevent body fluid cross contamination.
Aftercare is equally as important as the treatment itself, and SkenPen Precision treatments come with an individual patient treatment kit with Skinfuse Lift HG and a Skinfuse RESCUE Calming Complex to use at home for a few days after treatment.
How many treatments do I need, and when would I see results?
Microneedling treatments are done as a course of treatments, every 4 weeks for 3-6 treatment sessions. The results from microneedling show from around 3-6 months – new collagen reaches its peak by about 3 months after treatment, and the complete results are visible from around 6 months after the last session.
Microneedling treatments can be combined in treatment plans with chemical peels, mesotherapy, skin boosters, and LED therapy. Remember to extend your treatment from the face to include neck, decolletage and hands. Hands and neck also respond really well to Profhilo treatments – click here to read my blog about Profhilo.
Microneedling isn’t just for the face. In fact, as with many other skin treatments, I recommend microneedling of the neck, decolletage and hands. Microneedling is also used to treat lax skin, stretch marks and surgical scars in other parts of the body.
These are just a few of the many benefits that microneedling can offer. If you’re interested in trying microneedling for yourself, be sure to have a consutlation with a qualified professional who uses an approved and trusted device and can assess your individual needs to help you achieve optimal results