Curious if microneedling treatments are right for you? Before you book your appointment, it’s important to understand the benefits of microneedling, how it improves your skin, and why any of it matters.
Microneedling: It’s all about Building Collagen
Microneedling treatments are all about building collagen…and collagen is having a moment. It’s everywhere: in our coffee, our supplements, our skincare and more. So, what is collagen and why does it matter?
Collagen and elastin are the foundational building blocks of our skin, providing structure and elasticity, and keeping our skin healthy, firm and free of fine lines and wrinkles. As we age, our collagen production and cellular turnover slow down, leading to skin laxity and thinning.
And while it may seem like collagen loss is inevitable, microneedling offers an effective way to build new collagen while also improving skin tone and texture, all with minimal downtime.
How Does Microneedling Work?
SkinPen is the only FDA-cleared microneedling device on the market. This innovative collagen-stimulating treatment uses tiny microneedles to create controlled, microscopic injuries to the surface of the skin. These micro-injuries mobilize the body’s natural healing process, which stimulates new collagen and elastin fibers, resulting in:
- Firmer skin
- Fewer fine lines and wrinkles
- Improved skin tone and texture
- Reduced pore size
- Softened, less visible scars
- Improved appearance of stretch marks
- Glowing complexion
Creating tiny micro-injuries with microneedling treatments may sound like an invasive or even painful treatment, but the good news is, it’s not! Most people describe the microneedling treatment as feeling like mild pinpricks or pinching sensation, but relatively painless.
Before Microneedling Treatment
About 20 to 30 minutes before your microneedling treatment a topical numbing cream will be applied to the skin to minimize any discomfort during treatment.
Once the numbing cream has taken effect, your clinician will begin the microneedling treatment by applying a glide-gel to your skin. Using SkinPen, a handheld microneedling device, your provider will systematically pass over any treatment areas using a carefully selected treatment depth. In total, the duration of the appointment, before and after the microneedling treatment, will last approximately 1 hour.
After Microneedling Treatment
Immediately after your microneedling treatment, your skin will appear flushed, similar to a mild sunburn. You may also experience some mild swelling in the treatment areas. In the coming hours and days, any redness and swelling will subside. Most people find they are easily able to return to their normal daily activities.
Initially, you may notice an improvement in complexion and some increased skin firmness. Over time, and with regular microneedling treatments, you will begin to notice:
- Fewer fine lines and wrinkles
- Firmer skin
- More even skin tone and texture
- Fading of dark spots and freckles
- Softening, less visible acne scars and stretch marks
To see continued and more dramatic results, it is recommended that microneedling treatments be performed every 4-6 weeks in a series of 4-6 treatment sessions, depending on your complexion concerns. microneedling treatments are ideal for maintenance skin care routines performed once every 3 months.
Radiofrequency Microneedling vs. Skin Pen Microneedling
Depending on your complexion concerns, your clinician may recommend either SkinPen microneedling or radiofrequency (RF) microneedling treatment.
Radiofrequency microneedling combines the traditional microneedling treatment with the enhanced skin tightening and deeper collagen building benefits of radiofrequency. The radiofrequency energy carefully delivers heat deep within the dermis for accelerated skin tightening benefits, while the microneedles simultaneously trigger the skin’s wound repair mechanism in the more superficial dermis.
Key Differences Between Types of Microneedling Treatments
Both types of microneedling treatments are effective in improving the overall health and appearance of the skin, with the SkinPen targeting collagen production more superficially, while radiofrequency microneedling has the added benefit of delivering radiofrequency energy deeper into the dermis for a more pronounced skin tightening and skin rejuvenation effect.
During your comprehensive skin assessment, your clinician will help determine which microneedling treatment is best for you.
The Pros and Cons of Microneedling treatment
Both SkinPen microneedling and radiofrequency microneedling treatments are well tolerated by most people, with minimal risk of side effects. Understanding the pros and cons of microneedling will help you make an informed decision based on your skin care goals.
Benefits of Microneedling Treatment
- More radiant complexion
- Reduced appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Skin tightening
- Improvement in skin tone
- Softening of acne scars and stretch marks
- Building collagen and elastin
- Long-term anti-aging and skin care maintenance
- Little to no downtime
Downside of Microneedling Treatment
- For people with heightened skin sensitivity, the treatment may cause slight discomfort
- Mild swelling and redness may be present in the hours and days following treatment
- Although unlikely, some people may experience very mild bruising
How to Choose Between Radiofrequency Microneedling and SkinPen Microneedling
Choosing between radiofrequency microneedling and SkinPen microneedling treatments depends upon several factors including your desired results and degree of photodamage and skin aging. During your consultation, your clinician will perform a comprehensive skin assessment and develop a customized treatment plan based on your specific areas of concern, aesthetic goals, and budget.
The Skin Center’s Approach to Microneedling Treatment
At The Skin Center, we approach skin care and complexion concerns from a holistic approach beginning with a comprehensive skin assessment. After your consultation, your clinician will recommend a skin care plan based on your current concerns, desired goals, timeline and budget.
Microneedling treatments may be recommended to improve your immediate skin concerns or as part of a preventative skin care routine, as results are best appreciated over time and with repeat treatments.
The best way to determine if microneedling treatments are right for you is to schedule a complimentary consultation.
