Micro-needling
What is Micro-needling?
Micro-needling (also known as Collagen Induction Therapy or CIT) allows for a controlled process of the skin’s self-repair mechanism by creating micro “injuries” in the skin, which triggers new collagen production. Micro-needling is utilized to treat the appearance of fine lines, acne scars, minor trauma scars, hypo/hyperpigmentation, and improving the skin’s overall appearance.
Faq
We use a lidocaine cream to numb the area before the treatment, so you may feel a little bit of tingling from the cream. The needling is done with a derma pen and needling is superficial.
Micro-needling treatment can take an hour-and-a-half, or more to complete. The exact time depends on the area that is being treated. This timeframe includes an additional 20 minutes for topical numbing to be applied prior to treatment.
Micro-Needling procedures are performed in a safe and precise manner with the use of a sterile micropen needle head and handheld micropen skin needling system. The micropen is gently pressed into the skin, and glides across the its’ surface to induce new collagen and elastin.
Yes! Microneedling is an excellent alternative to chemical peels for those with melasma. The treatment skips the invasive chemicals and the extended downtime associated with chemical peels.
The effect of microneedling on the appearance of scars depends on the scar itself. Things like severity and age of scar, as well as things like prolonged sun exposure or retraumatizing the area can all impact how much of a difference you notice with microneedling treatment. Patients who keloid easily should NOT get microneedling for their scars.
If you have post acne scars, surgery scars, or even C-section scars, microneedling can help smooth your skin and soften scar tissue while improving discoloration.
It’s important to note that softening doesn’t mean removing and so the treatment will not remove the scar. It can make the visual signs of the scar less evident, and that can be a great help.
No, we do not. We use high molecular weight hyaluronic acid to achieve results without the intensity or added cost of platelet-rich plasma.
You can schedule your microneedling appointments 3-4 weeks apart. This gives your skin time to regenerate.
Generally, patients notice tightening, and a more even tone to their skin, a week or two after their first session. For areas with deeper imperfections, results can be subtler, and additional treatments are usually required. Since Micro-needling stimulates new collagen and elastin production, these results will continue to build for up to 6 months.
It is important to realize that we cannot stop the aging process, we can only slow it down. With this in mind, results are not considered permanent, as natural degradation will occur over time. Improvements from micro-needling can be seen for several years after treatment, and results can be prolonged with the correct at home skincare maintenance.
Micro-needling can essentially be used on any part of the body. The most popular areas to treat are the face and neck. Micro-needling can also be effective on most types of scarring and stretch marks.
There is technically no downtime required after Micro-needling. After your treatment, your skin may be red. This is normal and to be expected. Redness usually lasts from one to 24 hours. You may also have a little swelling in some areas. A few days after your treatment your skin may become dry. Some patients go straight back to work, while others prefer to schedule their treatment over the weekend.
Micro-needling is considered a safe treatment for all skin types. The side effects associated with micro-needling are temporary swelling and redness.
During your consultation an assessment will be made to ensure that you are a candidate for Micro-needling. Micro-needling may not be safe for those with certain health problems.