Microneedling
Microneedling
Microneedling is a minimally invasive skincare treatment that uses tiny, fine needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin. This process stimulates the body’s natural wound healing response, promoting collagen and elastin production, which results in smoother, firmer, and more youthful-looking skin. It is commonly used for improving the appearance of skin texture, reducing scars, and treating various skin concerns.
How Microneedling Works
- During a microneedling treatment, a device with tiny, sterilised needles is moved across the skin. The needles create microscopic punctures, which stimulate the skin’s repair mechanisms without causing significant damage. As a result, the skin begins to produce more collagen and elastin, proteins that are essential for skin strength, elasticity, and texture.
Benefits of Microneedling:
- Improves Skin Texture: Helps reduce the appearance of enlarged pores, fine lines, and uneven skin texture.
- Reduces Scarring: Microneedling is particularly effective for improving acne scars, surgical scars, and other types of scarring by encouraging collagen production in the damaged areas.
- Anti-Aging: By stimulating collagen, it can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, giving the skin a more youthful appearance.
- Improves Skin Tone: Microneedling can help with hyperpigmentation, sunspots, and age spots, resulting in a more even skin tone.
- Enhances Absorption of Skincare Products: The micro-channels created by the needles allow for better absorption of topical products, such as serums or moisturisers, leading to more effective results.
Microneedling Treatment Process
- 1. Consultation: The microneedling process begins with a consultation where I will assess your skin and discuss your skincare goals. During this consultation, we will go over your medical history, any existing skin concerns (such as acne scars, wrinkles, or pigmentation), and determine if microneedling is the right treatment for you. I will explain the procedure, potential side effects, and expected results. Based on your needs, we will customise the treatment plan to target specific areas of concern.
- 2. Preparation: On the day of your treatment, we will start by thoroughly cleansing your skin to remove any dirt, oil, or makeup. This ensures that the area is sterile before we begin the procedure. To make the treatment more comfortable, I will apply a topical numbing cream to the area being treated. The numbing cream usually takes about 20-30 minutes to fully take effect. Once your skin is numbed and ready, we can begin the microneedling process.
- 3. The Microneedling Procedure: During the procedure, a dermaroller or microneedling pen, which contains tiny needles, will be gently moved over the skin’s surface. These needles create tiny punctures (micro-injuries) in the skin, which stimulates the body’s natural healing response, promoting the production of collagen and elastin. Depending on the areas being treated, the depth of the needles may be adjusted. For instance, shallow needle depths are typically used for improving skin texture, while deeper depths may be used to target acne scars or wrinkles. The treatment typically takes 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the size of the area being treated.
- 4. Post-Treatment Care: After the microneedling procedure, you may experience some redness and mild swelling, similar to a mild sunburn. These side effects typically resolve within a few hours to a couple of days. To ensure proper healing and enhance the results, I will provide specific aftercare instructions, which may include:
- Avoiding makeup for 24-48 hours.
- Staying out of the sun and using sunscreen to protect your skin.
- Refraining from strenuous exercise for 24-48 hours.
- Avoiding harsh skincare products (like exfoliants or retinols) for a few days post-treatment.
- 5. Results and Follow-Up: While some immediate improvements in skin tone and texture can be noticed after a single treatment, the full results develop gradually as collagen production continues to improve. You may see noticeable changes in the following weeks. For optimal results, a series of 3-6 microneedling sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart may be recommended, depending on your specific skin concerns.
- 6. Maintenance: Once the initial series of treatments is complete, many clients opt for maintenance sessions every 4-6 months to continue supporting the skin's rejuvenation and sustain the results. This can help maintain smooth, youthful, and healthy-looking skin.
- Microneedling is a highly effective, minimally invasive procedure with little downtime and impressive results, making it a popular choice for those looking to improve their skin texture and appearance.
Microneedling Aftercare
- After your microneedling treatment, you should take care of your skin following these tips:
- Use a cooling gel after the treatment for the first 24 hours.
- Use a gentle cleanser on the treated area for 24 hours.
- Use a light, oil-free moisturiser after 24 hours, 3-4 times a day.
- Avoid sun exposure for at least two weeks and use SPF 50+ if you’re going outside.
- Avoid heat inducing activities such as saunas, steam rooms and other heat treatments for 24 hours.
- Do not wear makeup for at least 24 hours.
- Do not exercise for 24 hours.
- Avoid anti-inflammatory medications for a week.
- Do not pick at any scabs, let them form naturally.
- Sleep with your head elevated to reduce pressure and bruising.
- Stay hydrated.
- You must seek medical attention and contact your practitioner if you experience any signs or symptoms of infection after treatment. Symptoms include: red shiny skin, pus, hot to touch and you may have a fever/feel unwell. You must seek emergency medical attention if you experience any severe allergy symptoms after treatment.