Microneedling

Microneedling is a minimally invasive aesthetic procedure that makes use of special needling devices with multiple sterile tiny needles that pierce the top layers of the skin and create multiple micro wounds. The controlled skin damage will initiate a healing process in the skin during which fibroblasts (the skin cells responsible for healing) produce new collagen and elastin. This process is also known as collagen induction. This “trauma based” technique will promote skin rejuvenation, which results in a firmer, smoother, and younger looking skin. It will normally take 2 to 4 weeks after the treatment to obtain full results. Microneedling can be done as a course of treatments (3 to 6 treatments) once every 4 to 6 weeks or a few times a year with longer intervals during which other treatments like chemical peels, mesotherapy or laser can be performed.

Since Microneedling is an invasive technique, it is performed with a prior application of numbing creams to make the procedure more comfortable. There is a certain level of visible downtime (healing time) during which it is highly advisable to keep the treated area clean at all times, avoid swimming, saunas, excessive exercise and sweating, sun exposure, sunbeds, spray tan, close skin contact to pets, smoking, the use of makeup, and anything else that can possibly compromise the healing of the skin especially within the first 5 to 7 days after the procedure. The depth to which microneedles can penetrate the skin varies, and the deeper the damage the more severe and longer the downtime (redness and swelling of the skin) required to recover fully.

Microneedling is contraindicated for the following conditions:

Blood clotting and bleeding disorders; also, people who take blood thinning medication
Eczema
Diabetes
Conditions with a weakened immune system and impaired skin healing
Active stage of acne and other acute inflammatory diseases of the skin (e.g., herpes reactivation, etc.)

Benefits Of Microneedling:

Improves skin laxity, firms, and plumps up the skin
Refines skin texture
Improves fine lines and wrinkles
Improves acne scaring
Reduces pigmentation and heals sun damage
Improves the appearance of stretch marks
Microneedling can be used on the face, neck, chest, hands, and other areas of the body (stomach, thighs, arms, knees etc).

Microneedling using an injecting device

One of the most popular treatments in our practice is a variation of microneedling performed with a device that also injects the rejuvenating treatment cocktail at the same time. The depth of the needling is usually 0.25mm, 0.5mm or 1mm. The needling depth up to 1mm in combination with the use of a special treatment cocktail is highly efficient for skin rejuvenation and yet has a significantly lower risk for skin irritation and other undesirable side effects compared to traditional deep needling. The use of a treatment cocktail provides additional benefits when compared to traditional “dry needling”. It enhances the results, accelerates healing, shortens the recovery time, and provides an additional skin hydration effect. The components most commonly used in microneedling cocktails include - Hyaluronic acid, human growth factor peptides, healing peptides, etc.

A very popular variation of microneedling is the use of an injecting pen with nano needles that only pierce a very superficial layer of the skin’s epidermis and thus eliminate the need for the prior skin numbing step. This is a pain free version of microneedling, and it has no visible downtime - no redness, irritation or swelling after the treatment. Microneedling with a nano needle is a perfect treatment for clients that would like to gradually build up the skin prior to using more invasive techniques, as well as for male clients (since it doesn’t cause skin redness or other visible downtime) and clients of a younger age that don’t yet need an invasive treatment. It is also ideal for treatment of the delicate skin around the eyes (i.e., top, and bottom eyelids).

In conclusion, the newer variations of microneedling that makes use of rejuvenating cocktails and less depth of skin piercing show high efficacy of skin rejuvenation in combination with lower risks and faster healing.