Microneedling using Skin Pen
Embarking on a treatment plan to rejuvenate your entire face might sound like it requires daunting, costly, and potentially risk-heavy surgery – but that’s not the case. Microneedling uses SkinPen, the only FDA-approved microneedling pen, to holistically improve the look of your face. That means reducing signs of aging, making acne and scars less visible, and reviving gaining skin. The SkinPen creates small skin punctures in the area of treatment, with the aim of executing a controlled induction of the skin’s self-repair process. The body will begin to naturally heal itself, as it would with any minor injury, and the result is new dermal tissue and blood vessels. microneedling is particularly recommended for those afflicted with acne scars.
Our Approach
SkinPens can be used on all types of skin, and has been proven to safely and effectively treat patients ages 22 and older. The procedure takes around 30 minutes, using a topical anesthetic applied to the skin to minimize any pain. Patients should expect mild redness and swelling for 2-4 days, and we recommend patients receive three treatments in the series spaced 4-6 weeks apart.
How it Works
Microneedling triggers the body’s healing processes by creating several minor injuries in the skin – which is a lot less painful than it may sound. Dozens of sterile needles are used to puncture the skin superficially, triggering the production of collagen – an essential protein that keeps the skin looking youthful. The treatment also helps break apart tough scar tissues, leading to a smoother skin complexion. It helps address a wide range of skin-related issues, like scarring, alopecia, wrinkles, stretch marks, rosacea, loose skin, and pigmentation issues.
It may also be used to deposit medication like tretinoin or vitamin C deeper into the skin.
Benefits
Microneedling rejuvenates the skin and treats scars and wrinkles effectively. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, patients can expect a reduction in the “appearance of large pores, fine lines and wrinkles, scars and stretch marks.”
It’s also important to keep in mind that since it takes new skin a while to fully grow in, it could take several months for patients to see the full benefits of the procedure.
Microneedling + PRP
Microneedling is often combined with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment for an even more effective result. PRP involves drawing blood from the patient, then placing the blood sample into a centrifuge that separates the plasma from the red and white blood cells. This is done because the plasma holds a high concentration of stem cells, platelets, and growth factors to stimulate collagen and elastin production in the skin. PRP is often applied to the skin after microneedling treatment to ensure that the plasma is fully absorbed, and accelerate cellular turnover. It can also help fix puffiness and dark circles under the eyes. PRP is minimally invasive, meaning minimal recovery time Is needed after the procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it dangerous?
Microneedling is considered to be safe and effective by the medical community, though the primary risk is mild skin irritation after the procedure. These are the other side effects that sometimes result from microneedling:
Swelling
Redness
Dryness
Bruising
Skin flaking
Discomfort at treatment site
Who should consider microneedling?
There are a wide range of individuals who are good candidates for microneedling. A minimally invasive procedure with no wounding of the skin, the treatment is extremely low risk, and works on a variety of skin types and colors.
What should I expect?
When you go into your first microneedling session, you should be aware of the following:
You skin will likely be inflamed for 1-2 days following the procedure, but will return to normal shortly after that window.
Your skin may start peeling up to 5 days after treatment. To reduce any discomfort, make sure to keep your skin moisturized and avoid any activity that may cause sweating. It’s also advisable to avoid the sun for a week after the procedure.
Resist the urge to take any medications like Advil or Ibuprofen after the procedure, as they can be inflammatory. Your body must heal naturally. Fresh pineapples are the best natural remedy to help with any pain you may be experiencing.
How long do results last?
Like many skin treatments, microneedling requires multiple treatment sessions to ensure you skin continues looking its best. It’s recommended to have a microneedling treatment once every quarter.
What is SkinPen, anyway?
SkinPen is the only Class II microneedling medical device approved by the FDA for treatment of adult facial acne scars. In addition to solely working on acne scars, however, the pen also improves overall skin tone and texture by reducing fine lines and discoloration. It can even help with stretch marks.
How does SkinPen work?
SkinPen uses a sterile tip containing 12 pinpoint needles to create small, controlled punctures in the skin. These punctures cause pinpricks of blood to come to the surface, which induces a wound healing response. When your body initiates this healing response, new collagen and elastin is produced, giving the skin more strength and resilience. The result of multiple SkinPen treatment is the reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, and acne scars, and the improvement of skin tone.
What happens during the procedure itself?
The first thing patients can expect from a microneedling procedure is being treated with numbing cream. The cream is applied to the microneedling site, followed by 15 to 20 minutes of rest to let it take effect. Once the skin is numb, we clean the site and apply a hyaluronic acid-based gel to the skin, which makes it easier for the microneedling device to glide over the skin’s surface. The gel also helps with quicker healing, and gives the skin a fuller appearance post-procedure. A full-face microneedling procedure takes around 20 minutes, and involves three passes over the skin’s surface with a SkinPen. You may notice pinpoint bleeding during the procedure, though it’s usually minimal and heals very quickly. Next, a layer of hyaluronic acid-based gel is placed over the entire face to keep the skin moist, and you will be given some additional gel to take home to apply over the next 24 hours. You may notice redness after the procedure – resembling a sunburn – but the redness and peeling usually subsides by the second day.
What results can I expect?
This is the question everyone wants answered, and understandably so. While many patients see skin improvement immediately after the procedure, you likely won’t see the full results until four weeks afterward. Your skin will continue to improve for up to six months. Remember, it takes the skin awhile to heal, so you just have to be patient. We advise getting a series of three to four treatments spaced four to six weeks apart to maximize results, with most patients noticing smoother, better-looking skin texture and tone after completing the series. According to medical studies, patients typically see a 45-55% improvement in their skin.
Are there any risks?
Microneedling is a safe, low-risk procedure with a proven track record. There are very few adverse effects, though some patients may feel minor pain or discomfort during the procedure, and a sunburn-like feeling for a few days afterward. The needle holes produced during the procedure heal quickly, but if they aren’t properly cared for post-procedure they can become infected. That can be prevented, however, by following the doctor’s skin care instructions post-procedure. Discoloration can also occur after the procedure, but typically resolved quickly.
Can I combine microneedling with other procedures?
Yes. microneedling is actually a perfect complement to other skin treatments. microneededling improves overall skin tone and diminishes acne scars, but there’s a lot it can’t do, like smoothing out deep lines or crevices. Laser hair removal, fillers like Restylane and Juvederm, and wrinkle-fixing lasers like Fraxel, all work great in concert with microneedling.