What is microneedling?
Microneedling, or collagen induction therapy or skin needling, is a procedure that involves a roller than is covered in hundreds of small needles that are rolled over the skin of the area you want to be treated. Puncturing the top layer of the skin. The aim of this action is to stimulate the skin by activating the body’s own healing response. Meaning that there are a rush of collagen and elastin production, and other healing factors that will result to improve the tone, texture of the skin and the aging effects.
This cosmetic procedure works similar to the manner that laser do, just the difference is that you are injuring the skin mechanically instead of using light or heat.
Who is this procedure for?
Microneedling is effective in treating acne, scarring, fine lines and wrinkles, and other forms of facial aging. The procedure can be effective for treating sun damage and pigmentation issues such as hyper pigmentation.
This procedure is used to stimulate the growth of collagen and elastin. With the ability to trigger the generation of new skin cells, the application of a few sessions can reduce fine lines and crow’s feet as well as deep wrinkles on the forehead. In the process you are using your own body’s healing ability to undo the effects of aging and sun damage.
This treatment will also tighten the loose skin. But will also shrink pores. Although a roller is used to make holes in the skin, the action actually will help to make the pores appear much smaller. That is since when the collagen is stimulated in and around the pores, it will cause them to plump and appear shrunken, if not closed. The result is smaller looking pores.
An added benefit is that with the application of this procedure, your beauty products will work better. That means that instead of just 4 -8 % of experience serums penetrating your skin, after this procedure your abortion will be better. In fact, the tiny punctures actually act like little channels, allowing topical products to penetrate better and work more effectively.
The application of this treatment is also not restricted to the face only, but can be applied all over. Areas such as the legs, chest, back, and butt can be treated. Particularly areas that have stretch marks or scars.
The best time to do microneedling is to start sooner when the skin has a much greater ability to rejuvenate. If wrinkles are left and they become ingrained and scar like they are much more difficult to treat. Loss of collagen in the face causes the dreaded sagging.
How is the treatment done?
The idea of rolling small needles over your skin might sound like torture, but the procedure starts with your face being anesthetized with topical cream and has minimal downtime. That is since microneedling is a minimally invasive treatment, and can be done either in-office by a trained aesthetician, dermatologist, or plastic surgeon. They will be using a dermaroller. This is a small, handheld paint roller coated in tiny needles. The length of the needles aren’t longer than 1.5 mm.
In fact a pinprick injury from a microneedling goes through the same 3 stages of the healing process as a larger wound:
- Inflammation
- Proliferation or tissue formation
- Tissue re-modelling
There will be a few hours of redness, mild swelling and red patches. But in about 2 days it will go away.
The number of sessions depends on your skin condition. But on average you should be looking at around 3-5 treatments in 4-6 week intervals with maintenance treatments every 6-9 months.
Results will be visible in around 3 – 12 months after the treatment. This allows the collagen to grow and start healing your skin.
What are the risks of body contouring?
The impact is normally limited, with a bit of bleeding and bruising.
But it should be said that if you want to know how microneedling compares to fractional laser treatments when it comes to resolving acne scars, a head-to-head comparison published in the journal Dermatologic Surgery in 2016, found both treatments to be comparable and effective, but gave credit to microneedling for being better tolerated, with fewer side effects and less downtime.
The point of home kits
Although at home kits are available, it is best to go to a professional. The results will be better as the doctor can analysis your skin and prescribe the best treatment for you. In addition, you will reduce your risk of getting an infection and possible scaring. Best to go to a dermatologist.
