What Is Microneedling?
Microneedling is a cosmetic practice that’s used to treat a number of skin issues. Microneedling has been around for over 20 years. Due to advancements in equipment and techniques, Microneedling has been more prevalent in skin-care practices. Microneedling has also been referred to as collagen induction therapy, skin needling, or percutaneous collagen induction.
The idea is to improve the way the skin looks and feels. At Genesis Cosmetic Laser Center, microneedling can help with these concerns:
- Acne scars
- Fine lines
- Wrinkles
- Enlarged pores
- Hyperpigmentation and sunspots
- Lost elasticity
- Uneven skin textures
- Stretch marks
- Uneven skin tones
How Does Microneedling Work?
Microneedling involves puncturing the skin with small needles. At Genesis Cosmetic Laser Center, we numb your skin before treatment to eliminate or at least decrease pain and discomfort. And then a penlike tool named a dermaroller is utilized to insert tiny stainless-steel needles into the skin to cause microinjuries or punctures.
As a result of these tiny abrasions, the skin amps up collagen production in order to heal. Our goal is for the damage caused by the needles to stimulate your body to send healing agents in the form of elastin and collagen to the area of treatment to repair the skin.
Our treatment process will take between 30 and 60 minutes, which includes the time for the topical anesthesia to take effect. Genesis Cosmetic Laser Center generally recommends multiple sessions spaced a month apart. The needles will be inserted deeper into the skin at each following session, since the skin will become thicker and more able to withstand a deeper penetration over time.
Skin Benefits of Microneedling
The main benefit is increased collagen production; collagen combats wrinkles, and collagen levels naturally decline with age. Any intervention that encourages increased collagen synthesis can make skin look and act younger. It is proven that significant improvements to lines, wrinkles, skin texture, and skin laxity is had after undergoing 4 sessions spaced 1 month apart.
Microneedling at Genesis Cosmetic Laser Center can also help treat acne scarring because the needles can break down hardened scar tissue and encourage it to rebuild. We see improvements in our patients after two months, no matter how severe the scars were to begin with.
Finally, microneedling at Genesis Cosmetic Laser Center can help minimize the appearance of stretch marks, with marked to excellent improvement noted following three monthly sessions.
Skin Benefits of Microneedling
The main benefit is increased collagen production; collagen combats wrinkles, and collagen levels naturally decline with age. Any intervention that encourages increased collagen synthesis can make skin look and act younger. It is proven that significant improvements to lines, wrinkles, skin texture, and skin laxity is had after undergoing 4 sessions spaced 1 month apart.
Microneedling at Genesis Cosmetic Laser Center can also help treat acne scarring because the needles can break down hardened scar tissue and encourage it to rebuild. We see improvements in our patients after two months, no matter how severe the scars were to begin with.
Finally, microneedling at Genesis Cosmetic Laser Center can help minimize the appearance of stretch marks, with marked to excellent improvement noted following three monthly sessions.
When to Expect Results from Microneedling
You’ll likely see results from microneedling almost immediately. As soon as the microwounds are created within the skin, the body’s wound-healing processes respond to heal them. Your skin may look plump and radiant for up to two weeks following the treatment. The best results, however, can take six to eight weeks to appear. That’s when the increased collagen effects become evident. At Genesis Cosmetic Laser Center, we recommend multiple sessions, but since everyone’s needs are different, we request you speak with one of our Medically Certified Aestheticians to determine the best treatment plan for you. The condition of your skin matters as well. Fine lines and wrinkles might call for two sessions a year, burns or stretch marks may require five, and acne scars are somewhere in the middle.
Microneedling vs. Other Cosmetic Surgeries
Like microneedling, chemical peels can improve texture, fine lines, pores, acne, and acne scars, and usually require multiple treatments. Laser treatments can also provide similar benefits but can do so more rapidly than microneedling. Microneedling is a good alternative to laser skin resurfacing and deep chemical peeling because it offers significant results with a quick recovery and few side effects. At Genesis Cosmetic Laser Center, we offer both conventional microneedling and laser microneedling with our Morpheus8. We also offer radiofrequency in combination with microneedling. This is like microneedling on steroids and can deliver dramatic results when it comes to treating acne scars and wrinkles.
Side Effects of Microneedling and Who Should Avoid It
Some redness or mild irritation can appear in the first few days — that’s just the skin recovering. The redness should go away within three days. You might also notice that your skin feels tight, swollen, dry, or sensitive to the touch in the days immediately following the treatment, or it might flake away within the week.
Microneedling is generally safe and effective, but it’s not recommended for people who take or have had radiation in the past year, are pregnant, have a skin disease, or have a history of scarring or poor wound healing. People with active infections or open wounds should wait until their skin heals before trying it.
Where to Get Microneedling Done (and From Whom)
“Microneedling is a medical procedure and really should be performed in a Medical Spa with a Licensed Physician on-board. This is your face, after all, so you want it in the best hands so you can get the best results while minimizing any side effects.
That means you’ll need to steer clear of Day Spas/Spas that have estheticians but do not have doctors who must undergo 12 years of education and hands-on training to hone their expertise. It doesn’t have to be the doctor who performs the procedure. Any staff member in the office who has been properly trained and supervised by the doctor — for example, a nurse practitioner, physician assistant, registered nurse, and in some states, aestheticians and medical assistants — can be qualified to perform these treatments. Here at Genesis Cosmetic Laser Center, we have a Licensed Physician overseeing all our Medical Procedures. We have a Nurse Practitioner who is trained in cosmetic procedures. Finally, we have Medically Certified Aestheticians. And YES, there is a huge difference between a Medically Certified Aesthetician and just an esthetician. Make sure you have a Medically Certified Aesthetician doing your procedure and not an esthetician.
How to Prepare for and Recover from the Treatment
There’s no special preparation needed, but there are a few precautions to take. Talk to your doctor if you’re on blood thinners, since they can increase bleeding after the procedure, and if you’re prone to cold sores, you’ll want to be treated with an antibiotic to prevent an outbreak.
Recovery is minimal, though people with sensitive skin should be careful when applying moisturizers and serums. After the treatment, your skin will be inflamed and more sensitive than usual.
To learn more about Microneedling at Genesis Cosmetic Laser Center please contact us today at (843) 669-2200 for your FREE no obligation consultation.
