Just as the name suggests, microneedling (aka skin needling) is done with a device covered with tiny, shallow needles that gently poke microholes in the skin surface. These “punctures” are actually therapeutic to the skin because they cause a ‘micro injury’ that prompts the skin to stimulate collagen production, filling in fine lines, plumping the skin, evening out skin pigmentation and contributing to a more youthful look.
Many of us are afraid of needles; however, if you can tolerate a few minutes of slight discomfort, this minimally invasive treatment is incredibly effective. I say ‘discomfort’ rather than ‘pain’ because, although numbing cream is applied before the procedure, its main goal is to reduce the annoying prickling feeling caused by the machine.
The micro-injuries created with microneedling stimulate the body’s natural wound healing processes, resulting in increased cell turnover and collagen/elastin production, therefore reversing – as well as preventing – signs of ageing.
A surgical scar is a type of skin injury caused by surgery, specifically by an incision. Because a surgeon cannot control all the factors that determine the appearance of post-surgery scarring, treatment – after the surgical area has properly healed – is sometimes necessary.
Surgical scars can thicken over time and this is why scar therapy has been so limited in the past. The microneedling tool’s unique vertical stamping and depth control (up to 2.5mm) can help soften the appearance of surgical scars significantly. With surgical steel integrity, the robust nature of the automated needle tip penetrates difficult scar tissue, dramatically improving the appearance, texture, elasticity, size and mobility of the scar tissue. For optimal results, multiple microneedling treatments are recommended and results may vary depending on the severity and type of surgical scar.
Our skin is elastic and has the ability to stretch out and return to its natural elasticity and form. Stretch marks appear on areas of the body where the skin is stretched beyond its natural capacity. Look at it like a rubber band that you keep stretching until it snaps. Also, as we age, the skin’s natural ability to rebound is diminished and this is where microneedling comes in.
Microneedling therapy (aka collagen induction therapy) improves the colour and texture of stretch marks, in addition to helping the scars blend with the surrounding skin. Microneedling also reduces the width and indentation of stretch marks and encourages the growth of tiny inlets of normal skin. So, while no method for permanent stretch mark eradication exists at this moment, the microneedling therapy system lightens their appearance to the point of making them almost invisible.
The science behind it → microneedling creates microscopic injuries in the stretch marks, to which your body responds by producing new collagen at the wound sites. This natural reaction by the body heals the tears in the dermis (the thick layer of living tissue below the epidermis which forms the true skin, containing blood capillaries, nerve endings, sweat glands, hair follicles, and other structures) responsible for the formation of stretch marks. As the outer layer of the skin is not affected by micro-needling, the new collagen generated is used only to help heal the stretch marks. Keep in mind, however, that stretch marks require a series of microneedling sessions, usually at 4-6 week intervals.
First, an anesthetic cream is applied to your skin to keep you comfortable during the procedure. Next, I’ll apply a light layer of hydrating serum to lubricate your skin and make the derma-pen glide more smoothly. The device will glide over your skin, gently creating micro punctures on the skin’s surface.
The process typically takes less than 30 minutes, and, afterwards, your skin will be red (somewhat similar to a sunburn).
Your skin may be red and feel like you have a sunburn for a few days post-treatment. This is perfectly normal. Typically, your skin will feel back to normal approximately 3-4 days after treatment. Slight peeling may occur.
Those looking to treat deep wrinkles, stretch marks, severe sun damage or scarring may need multiple microneedling treatments. To ensure the safety of your skin, treatments are usually spaced out four weeks apart. This time period allows your own body to repair and rejuvenate before your next microneedling treatment.
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