What is Skin Needling?
Skin needling, also called microneedling therapy, collagen induction therapy (CIT), and percutaneous collagen induction (PCI), is a minimally invasive skin-rejuvenation procedure that involves the use of a device that contains fine needles. The needles are used to puncture the skin to create a controlled skin injury. Each puncture creates a channel that triggers the body to fill these microscopic wounds by producing new collagen and elastin. Through the process of neovascularization and neocollagenesis, there is improvement in skin texture and firmness, as well as reduction in scars, pore size, and stretch marks. Professional skin needling is considered a safe skin treatment when performed by a medical aesthetician, nurse, or physician. This should not be confused with the myriad of home care microneedling devices designed for patient use.
Is Skin Needling painful?
Topical anesthetic cream is used to keep the clients comfortable during the procedure. After the procedure, some experience tingling and or warm sensations in the treated areas. Using the needling pen lightly gives a tingling “prickly” sensation and although it does not feel good, it is not painful either-your face is more sensitive to it than your body. You may see a temporary reddening for up to 1-2 hours after treatment and it may create a sensation similar to a mild sunburn. However it is totally worth the discomfort to reap the benefits!
When will I see results from Skin Needling?
As you would imagine, the speed at which you will get visible results depends upon what you are trying to treat along with how far the body has to remodel the area in question. The process of skin remodeling can continue for several weeks or months after each Micro Needling session, but visible changes can be seen within around 7 days! Your skin automatically renews itself every 40 days, so with a few sessions changes can be dramatic. Clients should be advised that multiple treatments will be necessary. The number of needling sessions depends on the individual skin condition. Three or four treatments may be recommended for mild to moderate acne scarring, whereas deeper scars and stretch marks may require upward of five treatments. An interval of 4 to 6 weeks between treatments is typically recommended. “Because it can be performed on all skin colors and types, it is sometimes the preferred treatment over laser as there is no risk of burning the patient.” Professional skin needling is considered a safe skin treatment when performed by a medical aesthetician, nurse, or physician. This should not be confused with the myriad of home care microneedling devices designed for patient use.
Pre Skin Needling Prep:
Preparing the skin for this procedure will ensure optimum results. Healthy skin will respond better and results will last longer. Skin cells need nutrients for best function and a Dermapen recommended anti-aging regime should include:
Do not apply makeup, lotions or any other products on the day of the procedure. Absolutely no chemical peels, microdermabrasion or any related skin care treatments which exfoliate the skin within 4 weeks prior to all Skin Needling services.
Oral Supplements (omega-3, glucosamine and multivitamins)
Cleansers and Toners
Topical Vitamin A (avoid high dose)
Topical Vitamin C
Topical Antioxidants
Topical copper peptides
Topical Growth Factors
Sunscreen
Post Needling Skin Care:
Immediately after your Micro-Needling procedure, do not take any anti-inflammatory medications such as Ibuprofen, Motrin or Advil. These agents will interfere with the natural inflammatory process that is critical and responsible for your skin rejuvenation. Follow these simple steps:
Day of Precedure: Do not apply makeup, lotions or any other topical products before your procedure. Absolutely no chemical peels, microdermabrasion or any other related skin care service which exfoliates the skin for a t least one month prior to all Skin Needling / Microneedling treatments.
After the treatment, take precautions against sun exposure.
-Do not apply sunscreen for 12 hours after the treatment due to the skin’s channels being open for a period of time and due to the toxic nature of some sunscreens on the market.
-Do not perform any vigorous exercise for at least 12 hours after treatment.
-Do not apply make-up for at least 12 hours after the treatment.
-Skin Needling may trigger a cold sore response in patients and a prophylaxis medication should be recommended to those who are prone to breakouts.
-Wash the face thoroughly a few hours after treatment. Gently massage the face with tepid water, and remove all serum and other debris such as dried blood.
-For the first 1-3 days the skin will be very dry and feel tight.
-After 2-3 days patients can return to regular skin care products or as soon as it is comfortable to do so.
-Avoid alcohol based toners 10-14 days.
-Avoid direct sun exposure for at least 10 days if possible.
TREATMENT RECOVERY TIMELINE:
Day 1: Erythema and red appearance and severity will depend upon how aggressive the treatment was performed.
Day 2: A red hue or pink hue persists like a moderate sunburn. Swelling may be more noticeable on the second day.
Day 3-5: Skin can be pink or normal color. Swelling subsides.
Day 1: On the next day, erythema and red appearance. The severity will depend upon how aggressive the treatment was performed. You may clean your face as usual and light apply makeup, lotions and other topical products. Stay away from exfoliants or glycolic acids that are present is cleaners as these can make your skin very dry after the procedure. Be sure to use an approved SPF30 or greater sunscreen!
Days 2-7: Within two (2) days following your Skin Needling procedure, you will notice skin dryness and flaking. This is due to an increased turnover of skin cells. During this period, you may apply your skin moisturizer in Home Care Kit. A red or pink hue, like moderate sun burn may persist. In some cases, especially those of aggressive treatments, swelling may be more noticeable. Please follow the instructions given to you at the time of your service unless otherwise instructed.
If a roller is used around the eyes, you may have a little micro bruising that may exist for three or four days. This can easily be covered with makeup.
Days later, your skin will start shedding. These are skin layers that would regularly shed a week later, but the Micro-Needling brings this skin to the surface sooner. During this temporary process, your skin will shed and be dry.
Days 7+: A week after the Micro-Needling procedure, most patients notice that their skin is smoother and more radiant.
Results vary, but usually a course of 1-3 treatments (maximum of 5, depending on the condition being treated) is typically recommended. If you require MORE procedures than this, you may have an unrecognized underlying medical condition and should consult with your provider. Of course, results may vary from patient to patient. Keep in mind that the healthier your body is, the better will be the results you achieve from a Skin Needling/Micro-Needling procedure. Your body’s function and overall health are reflected in your skin.
How can Skin Needling help me?
Wrinkles- Skin Needling / Microneedling can be used to reduce deep wrinkles, fine wrinkles, skin lines and creases such as laughter lines, crow’s feet, smile lines, wrinkles on the forehead or scowl lines, creases around the mouth or lips – such as smoker’s mouth, on the neck and jaw line (including jowl lines), the chest (décolleté), the backs of the hands and more.
Stretch Marks- Stretch mark treatment is just one of the countless benefits associated with using Micro-needling. Stretch marks come about when the skin is forced to stretch rapidly. The surface layer of skin isn’t affected, but the dermis underneath becomes thinner and develops tiny tears. The blood vessels that lie under the skin show through, giving the stretch marks a reddish color. Later, when the blood vessels contract, the purplish color fades to a paler skin tone.
The most common causes of stretch marks are pregnancy (around 75 to 90 percent of mothers develop stretch marks at some point during pregnancy), growth spurts in teenagers, rapid muscle growth in weight lifters and weight loss or weight gain.
The process of reducing stretch marks or treating stretch marks occurs as needling causes the production of new elastin and collagen fibers in the skin. The stretch marks gradually fill in, the skin grows thicker, becomes tighter, and the elasticity is restored. The speed at which stretch marks reduction can be achieved varies depending on the severity of the stretch marks, but visible changes can be detected in as little as a week with dramatic results in a month or less.
Hair Loss / Alopecia- Limiting hair loss and baldness is an area which a lot people ask about. In recent studies, over a 3 month period, men who follow up professional sessions with the use of a Skin Needling Roller experienced an increase in hair growth in addition to an average of 80 percent reduction in hair loss. The professional hair restoration and regrowth process has been shown to aid thinning hair, balding, bald spots, receding hairlines, alopecia and more conditions.
Acne and Surgical Scars- Acne scarring reduction and acne scarring treatment are frequent uses for Skin Needling, in addition to treating surgery scars, pitted skin, large pores, chicken pox scars, burn scars, ice pick scars, appendectomy scars (appendix scar), burn scars, surgical scars, caesarian section scars, breast enlargement scars and tummy tuck scarring treatment. The result of using Skin Needling is incredible.
Skin Needling vs Surgical and other invasive procedures
Advantage of Micro-Needling
Visual and noticeable improvement in a few days from the first treatment
Cost effective – there’s no expensive investment needed unlike equipments such as laser.
Short healing time (1/2 ~ 1 day)
No permanent damage or injury
No bruising, infection, discoloration or other complications
Extremely high absorption of any active ingredients
Almost all skin types can be treated
Thickens the dermis without damaging or removing epidermis
and much more… So, at the end of the day, Skin Needling is an all around better choice than going the surgical or more invasive routs as long as you have the patients to reap the benifits.