What Is Microneedling?

The rise of technological advancement has brought new ways to refine the appearance of many people nowadays. As such, many have shown increasing interest in minimally invasive cosmetic treatments due to lower risks and minimal downtime. Because of this, Microneedling is especially popular as it treats various skin conditions while stimulating collagen production. 

The needles in Microneedling make tiny wounds on the skin. When the body heals these wounds, they release growth factors, and these growth factors rebuild the skin and add collagen. Moreover, skin strengthens, thickens, and restores its smoothness, and this procedure can even stimulate hair growth in areas like the scalp. 

What Age Should You Start Microneedling?

To reverse the signs of aging, the ideal time to start Microneedling should be before those lines become too deep. Indeed, this procedure is most effective when the symptoms are not too severe. Most doctors will typically suggest starting microneedling in the late 20s or early 30s.

Also, this treatment is good for acne or other scar treatments, so it is best to start as early as possible. The younger the skin is, the higher is its rejuvenation capacity, which will make the Microneedling procedure more successful.

What Are The Benefits Of Microneedling?

Microneedling offers an improvement on existing cosmetic issues by stimulating collagen and elastin production and angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels from the old ones). Below are the known benefits of Microneeding: 

• Skin rejuvenation
• Tissue remodeling
• Wound healing
• Skin tightening that can go on for up to seven years
• Reduced hyperpigmentation, giving a brighter skin
• Reduction of blemishes, burn scars, and acne scars
• Enhanced delivery of active ingredients (from serums, creams, drugs) into skin’s deeper layers

In addition, Microneedling can be combined with other cosmetic treatments like radiofrequency and LED light therapy, which provides quicker and more powerful results.

What Conditions Can Microneedling Address?

While it gives many benefits for different skin issues, microneedling on the scalp and face effectively stimulates hair growth. Indeed, microneedling can treat skin concerns on all body parts, from the head to the feet. 

Specifically, the following can be addressed by Microneedling, which include:

• Acne
• Blackheads
• Burns
• Cellulite
• Hair loss/Restoration (known as alopecia)
• Loose and sagging skin
• Minimizing pore sizes
• Scars (boxcar, icepick, surgery, or acne scarring)
• Skin Rejuvenation/Texture issues
• Sun damage
• Stretch marks
• Under Eye Issues
• Uneven skin tones or spots
• Wrinkles and fine lines (smile or frown lines)

What To Expect During The Microneedling Treatment?

During a microneedling treatment, it is expected that the experienced aesthetician will take care of the patient. The procedure of Microneedling takes anywhere from 10-30 minutes, depending on the size of the treated area. In the case of a small area of scarring, the procedure will only take less time than a larger area.

Before the procedure, an application of numbing cream will also be made to the treated area for the patient not to feel discomfort or pain while the treatment is ongoing. Next, the small needles are then inserted into the skin to create microscopic wounds. After the procedure, these wounds induce the body’s natural healing process, increasing collagen production in those areas. 

What To Expect After The Microneedling Procedure?

After the Microneedling procedure, the body responds to the wounds right away. The doctor should provide the necessary steps for aftercare and best skincare practices. Most patients experience minimal downtime if any at all.

Below are the aftercare tips to protect the skin and see optimal results:

• Protect the skin. After the procedure, the skin should be kept out of the sun for at least 14 days, or ideally 30 days.
• Avoid self-tanning products or tanning beds. For at least 7 to 14 days after the procedure, the patient should try to limit tanning bed and self-tanning product use for the reason that the skin will become sensitive by then. Doing so can cause uneven discoloration, which may become permanent on the skin.
• Avoid using vitamin A products. Retin-A, Retinol, and Tazorac are vitamin A products that can irritate the skin after the microneedling procedure. Make sure to avoid them for at least 7 days. 
• Temporarily stop chemical peels. It’s crucial to hold off on using chemical peels until 30 days after treatment, as skin irritation may occur.
• Don’t shave. For at least 3 to 7 days after the procedure, do not shave the treated areas after the treatment. Just in case the skin is still irritated, try to wait a bit longer before shaving.
• Avoid exercising, sweating, and using a Jacuzzi, sauna, or steam bath. Wait until the skin irritation has resolved, usually within 3 to 7 days.
• Stop using any chemical products or exfoliating medications. Do not apply any exfoliating medications or chemical products, or devices to the skin for at least 7 days after treatment.

What Are The Possible Side Effects After The Procedure?

After the microneedling procedure, most side effects are resolved relatively quickly. However, the most common side effects of Microneedling are skin irritation and mild redness. These usually only occur immediately after the procedure and can last 24-72 hours. 

Also, some inflammation and skin peeling can occur as the skin can become extremely dry from the procedure. The most extreme side effects can include:

• Bleeding
• Burning
• Bruising
• Increased wrinkling
• Infections
• Swelling

Who Are Good Candidates For Microneedling?

The treatment will vary from time to time since every skin is different. Despite this, Microneedling works well for all types of skin. Whether the candidate is mature or young, dark or light, has oily or dry skin, this method can induce collagen. 

Since it is for all skin types, anyone can go for microneedling, provided they do not have any wounds, trauma, or active acne. However, it is best to avoid microneedling in case of the following skin conditions:

• Inflammatory skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis
• Infections affecting the skin such as herpes
• Tendency to get keloid scars
• If under anticoagulant medications, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, etc.
• Wound healing disorders like diabetes

How Soon Do I See The Results After Microneedling?

The efficacy of microneedling depends on how new cells are regenerated and collagen is produced. Most experts claim that the skin shows some signs of change after 7 days of treatment. However, it takes between a month and a half for significant visible results.

To get the maximum benefits of the treatment, multiple sessions are typically required, and the number of treatments would depend on the skin condition and factors unique to each patient. In more detail, patients can expect 4-6 treatments with roughly 4 weeks between each treatment. For some patients, they may be encouraged to wait up to six weeks between treatments to allow the new collagen to form and achieve desired results fully. 

The Bottom Line

As the body loses collagen due to age, many cosmetic treatments have sprouted, focusing on increasing skin collagen. Modern Looks Med Spa offers Microneedling, a procedure that is minimally invasive where several small and sterile needles are inserted into the skin’s top layer, creating micro-wounds that induce increased collagen production levels and rejuvenate the skin. Ultimately, Microneedling is an excellent option for anyone looking for a non-surgical treatment for blemished, wrinkled, and dull-looking skin.