Microneedling
The concept behind microneedling is to wound the skin to initiate a healing response, which will improve the skin. This isn’t a new idea — it was originally proposed in the 1950s with a derma roller and came up again in the 90s using tattoo guns without ink. These were used to treat surgical scars.
At North Scottsdale Med Spa, we improve the skin with microneedling. Through hundreds of microscopic punctures, we improve your skin texture and firmness and reduce signs of acne scarring, fine lines, and overly large pores.
What is microneedling and how is it done?
At North Scottsdale Med Spa we use a microneedling “pen” for these treatments. The handheld device has oscillating needles that can be set to different penetration depths, depending on the patient’s skin and the treatment site. These depths can be varied up to 2.5mm. Our aesthetician moves the microneedling pen across the treatment area, and the pen’s needles move up and down creating microscopic punctures through the epidermis, the skin’s outer layer, down into the dermis layer. Although the tiny punctures/channels begin to heal almost immediately, your body perceives the punctures as wounds and a wound-repair response is triggered. The body produces new collagen and elastin to send to the “wounds” to heal them, even though they actually fully heal in just a few hours. Collagen is a protein responsible for the skin’s structural support, while elastin makes the skin firm, yet pliable.
Beyond triggering the wound response, the microscopic channels also make the skin more available to healing serums that can penetrate the skin far more effectively. This further improves the skin’s health and appearance.
what is collagen and how is it good for skin?
The secret to microneedling is in the way it triggers a wound response where the body creates new collagen to send to heal the perceived wounds. Collagen runs throughout the dermis layer of the skin and it provides a latticework that acts like scaffolding, supporting and firming the skin.
Why does our body loose collagen?
The problem is that every year after we turn 20 our bodies produce one percentage point less collagen. By the time you’re 45, your body is making one quarter less collagen. That’s why older skin sags, has areas of volume loss and develops lines and wrinkles. Microneedling helps to stem the tide of this decrease in collagen production.
what areas can microneedling treat?
Microneedling addresses a variety of skin issues with its collagen and elastin-producing effects. Unlike laser treatments, microneedling also works on all skin tones, without causing hyperpigmentation. Microneedling can be used anywhere on the body, but the face, neck, and décolleté are the typical targets.
Here are the conditions we treat with microneedling:
- Fine lines
- Acne scars
- Large pores
- Uneven texture
- Stretch marks
What are the benefits of microneedling?
What are the benefits of improved skin texture and tone, reduced visibility of acne scars, large pores, and fine lines? Microneedling boosts your collagen production and that firms and improves your skin. Who couldn’t use a little of that?
microneedling procedure
Before your microneedling session begins, our aesthetician applies a topical numbing cream to your treatment areas and this is allowed to take effect. She then attaches a new, sterile needle cartridge to the top of the microneedling pen. Next, depending on your treatment area, she sets the needle depth (for instance, the forehead skin is thinner, so it needs a more shallow setting). Next, in a single motion, the pen is gently pressed against the skin while simultaneously gliding across in one direction. This is repeated until the entire treatment area has been covered. Depending on your needs, a second pass may be made. As soon as she has completed the passes, an oatmeal extract with vitamin E is applied to your skin to calm it and start the healing process.
do I need multiple microneedling treatments?
Some of our patients opt to have a single microneedling treatment every year to achieve the results they seek. Most patients like the continued boost in collagen production and the look of their skin. They have from 4-6 treatments spaced about 4-6 weeks apart. For patients with deep wrinkles, advanced photo-aging, stretch marks, or acne scars, 6-8 sessions will likely be recommended spaced at six-week intervals.
What results can I expect?
Immediately after you leave our beautiful offices on Mayo Boulevard, your face will have an immediate glow. This is a response to the microscopic punctures and this passes within a few hours. Your skin improves over time as your body produces new collagen. Most patients say they begin to see a noticeable improvement in two weeks and this continues to build. Your body can continue to produce new collagen for up to six months.
microneedling Recovery
When your session is over your skin will appear pink and flushed. This redness subsides by the next day, although it can linger for another day in some patients. This can depend on how many passes you had across the treatment areas. In addition to the slight redness, you may have some slight swelling and your skin will feel a little tight across the treatment areas. If possible, it’s good to have microneedling done as an after-work or late in the day procedure. That way your skin can calm down overnight.
Does microneedling hurt?
We apply topical numbing anesthetic to your skin prior to your microneedling session at North Scottsdale Med Spa, so these procedures are painless. You can feel a little something during your session; most patients equate the feeling of microneedling to that of having a piece of light sandpaper moved across your skin.
Schedule A Consultation
To learn more about microneedling contact our office today at (480) 419-9605 to schedule an appointment.
