Microneedling has many different names. It is known as skin needling, collagen induction therapy (CIT), dry needling, needle dermabrasion, and dry tattooing are all used to describe the tattoo procedure.
Is microneedling therapy the same as scar reduction therapy? Yes, it is. The same methods are applied to reduce surgical scarring, trauma scarring and burns. The treatment can soften scars, generating new blood supply and skin cells which gives the texture of the skin a softer and a more youthful appearance.
What else can microneedling therapy do for my skin? It improves the appearance of wrinkles, acne scarring, stretch marks, hypopigmentation, and thin skin.
How does microneedling therapy work? This procedure uses tiny sharp needle(s) to created hundreds of micro channels in the superficial layers of the skin. In response to these micro injuries, your body releases growth factors and cytokines, which trigger the wound healing process. During this process the body produces more collagen, a fibrous protein that contributes to the structural integrity of the skin resulting in thicker and more youthful appearing skin. In a nutshell it creates new tissue formation without ablation to the epidermis like lasers do.
Are microneedling treatments painful? Numbing anesthetic creams are applied to the skin. Typically, clients do not feel any pain and describe it as tolerable, but some feel very uncomfortable.
What are the risks? Microneedling has almost no side effects, but any treatment that breaks the skin barrier can cause an infection. Sterile needles, proper technique, and experience of the technician are all important.
How many treatments will I need? That just depends on the severity of the scars and the condition of the skin. It is difficult to say, but after 1 to 2 treatments you can start to have an idea of how your skin is reacting to the therapy. You will see the texture of the skin continually improve after each session.
How much healing time is required between treatments? The procedure should be spaced between 4 to 6 weeks depending on how the client’s skin heals?
What can I expect after the treatment? You will have redness, tenderness, and sometimes be slightly swollen and bruised, typically this subsides around 24-48 hours.
Is it Permanent? Yes and No. Microneedling does not wear off but, the skin continues to age so it has to be maintained so the answer would be no if you are microneedling for the aging benefits. If your microneedling was for scarring or burns then the answer is yes. New blood supply has been created and the texture of the skin is forever changed. If your Microneedling was for acne scars, then the results are mixed. Not all clients can achieve the “forever gone” with acne scarring. It can last year(s) but the skin might need maintenance treatments. There is just no way to know who gets the permanent fix and who does not.
Sally’s story: She was burned by a CO2 laser on her entire face by a plastic surgeon and was left with a marred complexion. Her skin texture was coarse and had hypopigmented. She spent thousands of dollars on fraxel laser treatments with the hopes of trying to get some improvement to help restore the skin, but with no success. Together we decided to do some microneedling treatments to see if that could help even out her complexion. What a difference it made! We did 3 sessions of microneedling and below are pictures of the results. You be the judge.
Before (R)
After Second Session (R)
After 3rd Session (R)
Before (L)
After 3rd Session (L)
