At dermani MEDSPA®, we are committed to not only providing top-quality service to our clients, but also to helping you feel knowledgeable and comfortable with the treatments you receive. Today we are taking a closer look at one of our popular treatments, microneedling with the SkinPen®.
What is microneedling?
Also known as collagen induction therapy, microneedling is as an excellent skin resurfacer. This treatment can be done just about anywhere the skin is affected and produces real results without the downtime of an ablative laser treatment, making it very popular.
This skin rejuvenation procedure uses a small pen containing tiny “micro” needles moving between 5,000 to 8,000 RPM to puncture the top layer of skin. The needles then penetrate the upper layer of skin to stimulate collagen, causing the skin to plump and thicken, which reduces the appearance of scars, stretch marks, wrinkles, and more. In essence, the body overreacts to the small trauma and the healing process releases growth factors to improve the overall texture and appearance of the skin.
Over the years, there have been different versions of this treatment ranging from at-home versions to in-office procedures. At dermani MEDSPA®, our trained estheticians use SkinPen®, one of only two FDA-approved medical grade microneedling devices that allows different treatment depths for different issues. These different depths customize the treatments for each individual patient:
- Shallow Depth treats fine lines, pores, texture, minor scarring and improves crepe skin.
- Medium Depth treats fine lines, scarring, mild stretch marks and enables deeper penetrations of solutions.
- Deeper Depths treat deeper acne scars, surgical and traumatic scars, stretch marks, deeper wrinkles, pore texture, and enables the deepest penetration of solutions.
Our bodies are always working to protect and heal us, so when the skin is “wounded,” even on a micro level, it works quickly to repair itself. Microneedling tends to be not only an affordable, comfortable procedure, but also has a short recovery period, making it quite popular.
Other microneedling benefits include:
- Exfoliates the skin
- Reduces blackheads
- Treats both acne and cystic acne
- Reduces acne scarring and pock marks from acne
- Reduces hyper-pigmentation
- Improves fine lines and wrinkles, producing a more youthful appearance
- Evens skin tone, stretch marks, and skin texture
- Effective for all skin types, from light to dark
- In-office procedure that is quick and simple with minimal downtime
Does microneedling hurt?
If the combination of the words needles, puncture, and skin make you uneasy, rest assured that microneedling is a virtually painless procedure. At dermani MEDSPA®, your comfort is our top priority!
To ensure minimal discomfort, an anesthetic cream is applied to the skin 15-30 minutes beforehand, and a hydrating serum is applied both during and directly after the procedure. The process takes around 30 minutes and will leave you looking red with the feeling of a mild sunburn. Most clients report little if any pain; some note a mild stinging sensation that is tolerable. While the redness subsides relatively quickly, this is NOT a procedure to be performed on your lunch break. While limited, there is some downtime.
What is the before and aftercare for microneedling?
Most anyone can have microneedling performed; however, those who have active infections or lesions should refrain. Microneedling over infected areas has the potential to spread bacteria.
Preparing for a microneedling treatment:
2 weeks before:
- No facial laser treatments
- No dermal fillers for 2 weeks before OR after
- 3-4 days before:
- No self tanner or spray tans
- Stop all topical antibiotics, exfoliants, hydroquinone or benzoyl peroxide
- No waxing, depilatory creams or electrolysis
24 hours before:
- Avoid direct sun exposure
- No retinol or Retin-A
- No autoimmune treatments
Depending on the patient, microneedling healing times vary, and it is not recommended to schedule the procedure around important events. Most patients make a full recovery within 24 hours, though some also experience dryness and slight flaking. Patients should avoid exercise and sun exposure for three days after the treatment and should not exfoliate for two weeks. A gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 are also recommended.
Patients will typically see improvement after one treatment, though a series of treatments is recommended. If you are wanting to brighten an already healthy complexion, you may benefit from a single treatment. If you are treating pre-existing damage, you may need 3-6 treatments spaced about a month apart. During your free 15-minute consultation, our licensed estheticians will be able to assess the damage and determine how many sessions you may need.
Come see us for microneedling today and see why it’s so popular!