Microneedling, as one of today’s modern approaches to skin rejuvenation, is a cosmetic treatment used to treat different skin conditions. This procedure involves multiple tiny, sterile needles used to puncture the skin, causing physical trauma that prompts the skin’s deeper layer, called derma, to start rebuilding and producing more collagen, leading to skin rejuvenation.

Today, let us learn what micro needling is, how and why it works, and what actual benefits one could get after experiencing this treatment. Read until the end and discover if this treatment is for your skin issues and concerns.

What is Microneedling?

As a minimally invasive skin procedure, microneedling uses thin needles to create tiny holes in the skin’s top layers. This damage aids the stimulation of the skin’s healing process. In return, the skin produces more collagen and elastin, essential proteins that keep our skin firm and smooth.

As a popular cosmetic procedure, microneedling helps with issues like the following:

• Acne
• Alopecia or hair loss
• Dark spots or patches on your skin or hyperpigmentation
• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Large pores
• Loose skin after liposuction or weight loss
• Reduced skin elasticity
• Rosacea
• Scars
• Stretch marks
• Sun damage

Benefits of Microneedling

Microneedling increases collagen production, an essential protein that helps keep your skin looking youthful, with a firm, smooth, and stretchy texture and other healing factors found in the skin. As we age, the collagen in the skin declines and contributes to wrinkles and other signs of aging.

Skin can also lose collagen due to injuries, such as acne scarring, stretch marks, or other scars. It is essential to realize that micro needling is not a quick fix, as it involves the growth of new skin. It can take several months to see the procedure’s full results.

Who are Good Candidates for Microneedling?

Like most procedures, micro-needling also has cosmetic and medical uses. Consider micro-needling if you want, or you’re concerned about the following:

• Fine lines or wrinkles.
• Enlarged pores.
• Mild scars (acne or burns).
• Loose or crepey (thin and wrinkled) skin.
• Stretch marks.
• Skin discoloration or uneven skin tone.

Additionally, the procedure can also help people who have medical conditions such as:

• Alopecia areata or hair loss caused by an autoimmune disease.
• Hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating.

Who is NOT for Microneedling?

Talk to your trusted practitioner before getting micro-needling if you have the following:

• Blood disorders or are on anticoagulants or those drugs that prevent blood clots.
• Acne or are taking medication for acne.
• Frequent skin rashes are called contact dermatitis or cold sores.
• Cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
• Freckles, moles, skin tags, or other growths that change in size, shape, or bleed.
• The keloidal tendency in which your skin forms hard-raised scars.
• Skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis.

Microneedling Procedure Details

Before the Treatment

Before the procedure, have consultations with your doctor or healthcare provider. Dermatologists, plastic surgeons, or aestheticians may also perform the micro-needling treatment. Make sure that your procedure will be administered by someone licensed, skilled, and experienced in this technique.

Your practitioner will then examine your skin, review all health history and discuss your desired goals for micro-needling. This instance is an excellent time to ask all the questions you might have about micro-needling, such as:

• “Does microneedling hurt?”

• “Are there risks or side effects?”

• “Will I need more than one treatment?”

• “Is there downtime after the procedure?”

• “How soon will I see results?”

Around a month before treatment, your practitioners may ask you to regularly apply vitamin A or C cream to the targeted skin area. These creams can aid in starting the process of collagen production.

During the Procedure

• Your practitioner cleans your skin, applies numbing creams or ointments like lidocaine gel, and does this step for about 30 to 45 minutes. This application is made before your procedure, giving enough time for the ointment to start working.
• Next, they will use hand-held rollers or electric tools to make the wounds in your skin. These rollers have little need, rolling slowly and gently across the targeted skin area. This electric device has needles that pulse up and down, puncturing your skin. At times, they may change the length of the needles on the electric machine.
• You might begin feeling a warmth or scratching sensation on your face at the onset or once the process of micro-needling starts. Others feel discomfort if the needles are near bony areas, such as cheekbones. Profound micro-needling might cause minor bleeding.
• Microneedling procedures can take from 15 minutes up to a couple of hours, greatly based on the size of the treated area.

After Your Session

Microneedling procedures usually happen in an outpatient setting, so patients can already go home after completion. Treated skin might become red and swollen for a few days, up to five days maximum. Ice packs can help alleviate discomfort and cases of irritation. Most patients can wear makeup the day after the procedure but stay out of the sun until their skin heals.

What is Microneedling with Natural Growth Factors?

Microneedling procedures with natural growth factors are cosmetic treatments that stimulate collagen production by rolling fine needles over your skin and applying platelets, one of the components of blood. 

The addition of natural growth factors from the blood makes micro needling more effective with less downtime due to the healing nature of plasma. The liquid in the blood is plasma, while platelets are solid. Platelets help blood clot, which is vital for healing wounds and injuries. The natural growth factor is plasma, in which the platelet concentration is higher than other blood components. 

The practitioner will take your blood sample and then use a spinning tool called a centrifuge to separate the natural growth factors from the rest of the blood. Biological growth factors contain proteins, including growth factors and cytokines. These proteins help skin tissue repair itself. First, practitioners will use micro-needling tools to prick the skin and make tiny holes in the skin’s surface. Then, they will apply the natural growth factors to these little holes to encourage collagen production and cell reproduction.

The Bottomline

Microneedling is a procedure that can indeed improve your skin’s appearance. Talk to your trusted skincare expert about micro-needling and if it’s a safe outpatient procedure. Most people need multiple treatments over several months to achieve their desired results.

If you think micro-needling is the treatment for you, our wonderful friends at Luxe Med Spa Aesthetics Inc. can help you today.