Discover everything about microneedling and see if this skin procedure is for you!
With the ever-innovating skin procedures today, there is no doubt that microneedling is a buzzworthy one. When your skin is dealing with many issues at once, such as acne scarring, fine lines, age spots, and hyperpigmentation, this treatment can help reduce the unevenness and discoloration of your skin tone.
Table of Contents
What Is Microneedling?
Microneedling is a non-invasive treatment in which many sterile tiny needles are pushed into the skin to generate microscopic micro holes, causing the skin’s healing mechanism to produce new collagen and elastin fibers.
Dr. Desmond Fernandes invented microneedling in 1995 to repair wrinkles and scars with hypodermic needles. The procedure has been perfected throughout the years and is now one of the most sought-after skin treatments on the market.
Microneedling has quickly become a mainstream cosmetic procedure, with celebrities and beauty influencers like the Kardashian sisters, Jennifer Aniston, and even Brad Pitt using it as their go-to anti-aging therapy.
Microneedling And Mesotherapy
Did you know that microneedling is also known as collagen induction treatment? It is based on the 1950s aesthetic procedure known as mesotherapy.
Both mesotherapy and microneedling treatments employ needling procedures. However, they differ in needle length, skin penetration depth, and treatment pace.
Who Is Microneedling For?
Because the technique does not involve heat and is entirely mechanical, microneedling is suitable for all skin colors and kinds. The therapy is excellent for smoothing out the face and filling in acne scars, but it can also help to clean out tiny bumps caused by blocked pores.
While experts agree microneedling can be helpful for people looking to boost collagen and treat issues like fine lines and acne scars, not everyone is a candidate.
Just ensure your skin isn’t irritated or infected, and if you have a cystic breakout, wait until it clears up before coming in for your consultation. If you have eczema, rosacea, or extremely sensitive skin, you should avoid microneedling.
You should also avoid the surgery if you are on blood thinners or a heavy alcohol drinker, as these conditions might cause dehydration and render the treatment useless.
Are Microneedling And Microdermabrasion The Same?
Microdermabrasion and microneedling are skin care treatments that address aesthetic and medical skin issues.
Microdermabrasion can be used on the face and body to exfoliate dead or damaged skin cells. Microdermabrasion is similar to softy “sandpapering” your skin.
On the other hand, microneedling stimulates your skin’s ability to mend itself and produce more collagen.
How Does Microneedling Work?
Microneedling works by stimulating collagen production in the skin. The procedure’s pinpricks produce minor skin irritation, and the skin reacts by producing new collagen-rich tissue.
The results are amazing because the tone and texture of the new skin tissue are more even. Microneedling can also be used with topical serums, radiofrequency, and platelet-rich plasma.
Before The Procedure
Consider speaking with your doctor about strategies to prepare for your appointment before the operation. Certain drugs, such as ibuprofen and those used to treat acne (such as Accutane), may need to be stopped before getting the treatment.
It’s also a good idea to avoid using products that might make your skin more sensitive. Before your microneedling visit, your doctor may advise you to discontinue topical retinoids and exfoliants.
To ensure finer microneedling results, the skin should be prepped for at least a month using vitamin A and Vitamin C supplements daily.
During The Procedure
During the process, a doctor uses pen-like equipment with tiny, sterile needles to produce small pricks under the skin. Because the pinpricks are so small, you probably won’t notice them after the treatment.
The doctor will administer a numbing cream to the treatment surface around 45 minutes to one hour before the operation. This will numb the skin throughout the microneedling procedure.
It will most likely require 6 to 8 sessions, each lasting roughly 30 minutes.
After The Procedure
During the first few days after the operation, you may experience skin discomfort and redness. This is a normal reaction to the little “injuries” caused by the needles in your skin.
If you are comfortable, you can return to work or school after the surgery. But it is highly suggested to wait at least one week for recovery and healing time. Your skin will also be more susceptible to sun damage, so use sunscreen liberally.
Because your skin channels remain open and sensitive after your operation, avoid the following:
- Sun exposure
- Skin care products with Alpha-Hydroxy Acids and Retinol
- Makeup
- Sweating
You should wait one week before exposing your skin to sunshine or strong chemicals. In theory, you should notice benefits in a few weeks.
Benefits and Risks of Microneedling
Microneedling has grown in popularity due to its expanding list of advantages. It is supposed to renew and plump the skin with minimum discomfort and downtime and can be tailored to each individual’s needs.
Long-term benefits of microneedling include:
- Reduce scars
- Minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Reduce enlarged pores
- Help lighten hyperpigmentation
- Improve uneven skin texture and skin tone
- Enhance skin elasticity
- Improve dull skin and promote glowing skin
Any microneedling device has the potential to create short-term or long-term negative effects.
Skin injury is a typical side effect of microneedling. Bleeding, bruising, redness, stiffness, itching, and peeling are all symptoms of the injury, and they usually go away on their own within a few days or weeks.
Less common dangers include stinging or itching while using cosmetics or other skin care products such as moisturizers and sunscreen, dark or light patches on the skin, facial wrinkles, a flare-up of cold sores, and enlarged lymph nodes.
Be aware that microneedling may not always provide the desired cosmetic effect and that it may require more than one operation to achieve the desired outcomes.
Contact your doctor if you experience more severe side effects, like:
- Bleeding
- Bruising
- Infection
- Peeling
Is Microneedling Good For Acne Breakouts And Scars?
Microneedling can help heal acne scars by stimulating the formation of new skin cells. Still, it can also prevent active acne by lowering sebum production, which causes your face to become greasy. Reduced sebum production results in fewer blackheads, whiteheads, and persistent cystic acne.
Who Can Perform Microneedling?
Depending on your state’s legislation, dermatologists or plastic surgeons, aestheticians, RNs, nurse practitioners, and/or physician assistants can do microneedling.
This may also be done at home, although the products available are unlikely to penetrate the skin’s surface as deeply as those performed by a professional.
Professional microneedling is still generally safer. Incorrect microneedling can be dangerous because injuring the skin with a foreign object can introduce or spread germs into the skin.
The danger of infection is high since skin punctures can serve as excellent pathways for germs to enter the dermis. Professional microneedling reduces this danger by using sterilized equipment in a sterile environment.
Can I Microneedle At Home?
You can microneedle at home with the correct derma roller and professional instructions. At-home microneedling can be a cost-effective solution to get smoother, firmer skin.
Professional treatments are often conducted with electric or battery-powered equipment that resembles a standard roller or pen, whereas at-home microneedling is typically performed with manual derma rollers. There are also specific patches with built-in microneedles that you can safely use.
The primary difference between having a professional esthetician or dermatologist do the process and doing it yourself is that the professional version will use longer needles that penetrate far deeper into the skin to heal acne scars, wrinkles, and other skin issues.
Does Microneedling Hurt?
Because microneedling involves needles penetrating the skin, there will always be some discomfort and pain. However, the intensity of pain is purely subjective.
The bony areas are typically more painful. However, providing a single response is difficult because it differs from person to person. It can reach pain level 10 for in-office therapy.
However, if you’re microneedling at home, it shouldn’t be too painful. Studies reported that the mid-face and the region surrounding the top lip are the most painful.
How Often Should You Microneedle?
As a general rule, microneedling therapy can be done monthly or every 3 to 8 weeks. This frequency works best for most patients with all skin types. However, some patients find that microneedling therapy, more or less frequently than this range, works best for their skin and aesthetic objectives.
Conclusion
Microneedling, unlike more invasive procedures, can produce apparent effects with minimum recovery time. However, you will most likely require a series of sessions for the best outcomes, so be patient.
Although microneedling treatments yield great results, adopting a healthier diet and lifestyle is also better for preventing skin issues and maintaining good and clearer skin. This highly informative eBook can help you get started.
FAQs
A: Generally, it is safe to microneedle at home. However, excessive pressure and failure to keep the derma rollers clean, both of which can lead to infection, are the major ways in which it becomes dangerous.
A: Yes, microneedling can help tighten the skin as it helps stimulate collagen production that keeps the skin tight, young, and healthy.
A: A typical microneedling session takes roughly 30 minutes.
A: Generally, you can have microneedling sessions once a month or every 3 to 8 weeks.
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