Microneedling is a minimally invasive skin treatment that aids with various skin concerns, including wrinkles, acne scars, hyperpigmentation, and enlarged pores. Using a device with fine needles, microneedling creates micro-injuries on your skin to stimulate its natural healing process. The result is smoother and firmer skin, especially when you pair microneedling with PRP in North Hollywood.
In this guide, we discuss what microneedling can treat, its benefits, the duration of the results, and who the best candidates are for this treatment. We also shared some dos and don’ts before you book your appointment!
What can microneedling treat?
Microneedling is often used as a facial treatment for various cosmetic purposes. It supports cellular renewal and collagen production to boost skin health and reveal a younger skin layer.
Microneedling can treat the following areas:
- Forehead
- Around the eyes
- Cheeks
- Nose
- Upper lip
- Jawline
- Chin
Microneedling can also treat other body areas to improve texture and tighten loose skin, such as the following:
- Neck
- Chest
- Hands
- Arms and legs
- Abdomen
- Scalp (to aid with hair growth)
Benefits of microneedling
Microneedling has become a staple in beauty centers, thanks to its extensive list of benefits. From reducing signs of skin aging to boosting hair growth with minimal downtime, microneedling proves to be a versatile treatment.
Here are some of the benefits you can get from microneedling treatments:
1. Reduces wrinkles and fine lines
The micro-injuries your skin gets from microneedling boost collagen and elastin production. This makes your dermis firmer, making it less prone to premature wrinkles and other signs of aging.
Aside from that, microneedling enhances product absorption, making your skin more responsive to skincare ingredients.
2. Improves skin tone and texture
Thanks to the speedy healing process microneedling triggers, you’ll enjoy fresher and healthier skin. Specifically, microneedling helps reduce the redness and blotchiness of your skin, resulting in a more uniform complexion.
Aside from that, microneedling helps reduce darkened patches to regulate hyperpigmentation. The result is a more balanced pigment distribution, without the need for invasive procedures.
3. Reduces of acne scars
Do you have pesky acne scars from past breakouts? Microneedling can help lighten most types of atrophic acne scars by stimulating collagen production. In turn, it ‘fills in’ the indentations on your skin to make it look smoother and more even.
Microneedling makes this possible by breaking down fibrous scar tissue and remodeling your skin to appear healthier. With several sessions, you’ll see substantial results, sometimes as if the acne scars never occurred.
4. Minimizes stretch marks
Do you want to lighten weight loss stretch marks? Or would you like to improve your pregnancy stretch marks? Microneedling stimulates your body to produce more collagen in these areas, which helps reduce discoloration.
Aside from that, microneedling helps thicken the skin where the stretch marks appear thin. This evens out your stretch marks while improving your skin elasticity at the same time.
5. Reduces pore size
Do your enlarged pores cause makeup to settle unevenly? Or does it make your skin oilier? While you can’t change the size of your pores, you can reduce their appearance through microneedling.
Microneedling enhances sebum drainage to eliminate blockage inside your pores. Through this, you can reduce pore swelling, making it less visible and less likely to get inflamed or infected.
6. Minimally invasive nature
Unlike deep chemical peels or ablative lasers, microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure that doesn’t require long recovery periods.
The tiny needles used in microneedling derma rollers are usually 0.5 to 2.5 mm long, just enough to penetrate the upper layers of your skin. Also, it doesn’t involve any incision, so you don’t have to take a break from work or disrupt your daily activities.
7. Customizable for various skin types
Microneedling is easily customizable for various skin types and problem areas. The needle depth can be shallower for sensitive skin and deeper for those with stretch marks or superficial scars.
Aside from that, microneedling can be paired with a variety of skin-specific serums and products. You can also get topically applied platelet-rich plasma (PRP) drawn from your own blood to boost tissue regeneration.
Consideration and Precautions
Microneedling is an effective treatment for various skin concerns. But before you book an appointment, you should know some considerations so that you can set realistic expectations:
Potential side effects
Microneedling is generally safe for most individuals in good health. Some side effects may occur, which typically resolve within 1 to 3 days after treatment. These side effects may include:
- Redness and irritation in the treated area
- Minor bruising, especially for those with sensitive skin
- Mild itching and discomfort during healing
- Flaking and dryness as the skin gets replaced
- Minor pinpoint bleeding during treatment
Please note that adverse side effects, such as infections and allergic reactions, can be prevented if you receive your microneedling treatment from a professional provider.
Professional guidance matters
Although microneedling is minimally invasive, professional guidance is essential to minimize the risk of adverse reactions to the treatment.
Professional microneedling providers, such as Pure Skin Laser Center, have the right equipment and techniques to personalize the treatment to your specific skin type and concerns. At the same time, licensed providers follow strict safety and hygiene standards to prevent infections.
Additionally, only professional microneedling providers are qualified to administer PRP treatments. This way, you can enjoy smoother, more even skin without the risk of severe irritation.
Proper aftercare
Post-care for microneedling is as essential as the treatment itself. This is to ensure that your skin heals properly and you enjoy the best results with minimal discomfort.
If you’re planning to get microneedling, make sure you prepare for the following aftercare instructions:
- Avoid excessive sun exposure for the next 1 to 2 weeks
- Skip makeup and other harsh skincare products for 24 hours post-treatment
- Keep your skin clean with a mild cleanser for the first few days
- Hydrate and soothe your skin with a moisturizer to protect your skin barrier
- Don’t pick or scratch your treated skin to avoid infections
- Avoid hot showers, saunas, steam rooms, and intense heat exposure
- Skip intense workouts for 2 to 3 days to avoid infection from sweating
- Always follow the aftercare instructions of your provider, including prescribed serums and follow-up appointments
Medical history check
- Identifying possible contraindications. If you have bleeding disorders, autoimmune diseases, or active infections, you’re at a higher risk of complications from microneedling. The same applies if you’re taking certain medications, such as blood thinners and isotretinoin.
- Preventing infections and complications. Letting providers know about any underlying conditions will ensure your safety. This includes active skin infections, chronic illnesses, cold sores, and other conditions that could worsen during treatment.
- Avoiding allergic reactions. Your provider will conduct an allergy test to see if you’ll have any adverse reactions to the products that will be used during treatment.
- Setting realistic expectations. As with any non-invasive treatment, every person will have varying responses to microneedling. Others may see substantial results in one session, while some may need multiple treatments.
How long does microneedling last?
Your improved skin texture and firmness from microneedling can last for 1 to 3 months after a single session. For longer-lasting results, consider scheduling multiple sessions, spaced approximately every 4 to 6 weeks. For most clients, we recommend 3 to 6 sessions followed by maintenance treatments every 6 to 12 months.
Still, there are several factors that affect the longevity of your microneedling results, such as the following:
1. Skin type
Each skin type responds differently to microneedling. For example, those with oily skin may heal faster but could be prone to post-treatment infections. Meanwhile, those with dry skin may have delayed healing but should keep an eye on moisturization to avoid irritation.
Aside from that, clients with darker skin tones could be prone to hyperpigmentation after microneedling. This may require additional sessions or other types of treatment.
2. Age
As we age, our body’s collagen production decreases over time. This is why younger clients in their 20s and 30s heal faster from microneedling, while older individuals in their 40s and above may take longer to see the results.
Also, older clients may need more microneedling sessions to achieve their desired results.
3. Lifestyle habits
Are you a chain smoker? Are you always sleep-deprived and stressed? These poor lifestyle habits can impact the longevity of your results, whether for microneedling or any other non-invasive skin treatment.
Aside from that, you should keep an eye on your sun exposure as UV rays speed up skin aging. If you’re going outdoors, be sure to wear broad-spectrum sunscreen and protective clothing, especially during the summer.
4. Post-treatment care
Proper care after your microneedling treatment will reduce the risk of serious side effects, such as scarring, prolonged swelling, or a full-blown infection.
We’ve said it once, and we’ll say it again: always follow your provider’s aftercare instructions religiously. If you experience unusual or prolonged discomfort after your treatment, please contact your provider immediately.
5. Overall health
Having a healthy immune function supports your body’s healing and collagen production after a microneedling treatment. This is also the reason why clients with autoimmune disorders should consult their physicians first before considering microneedling.
Certain medications can also impact the effectiveness and longevity of your microneedling results. For example, blood thinners may increase your risk of experiencing side effects.
Who Should Consider Microneedling?
If microneedling isn’t for everyone, then who is considered an ideal candidate for this treatment? Here are the ideal candidates for microneedling:
- Those with mild fine lines and wrinkles. Microneedling can help reduce the appearance of dynamic and static wrinkles. However, it’s not very effective for very deep folds, which may respond better to injectable treatments, such as Botox.
- Those with acne scars. If you have mild atrophic acne scars and post-acne hyperpigmentation, microneedling may be a suitable option to reduce their appearance. Please note that this treatment has very little effect on deep, pitted scars.
- Those with large and clogged pores. Microneedling can help treat enlarged pores caused by loss of skin elasticity, dead skin cells, and trapped sebum. However, it’s not the most effective for cystic comedones, where the pores are already inflamed. Additionally, microneedling may yield minimal results for individuals with naturally large pores.
- Those with uneven skin tone. You can undergo microneedling to address uneven skin tones caused by sun damage, melasma, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). However, this treatment isn’t the best solution for genetic pigmentation conditions, such as café-au-lait spots.
- Rough or uneven skin texture. If you have rough and bumpy skin, microneedling can help promote a smoother complexion. Microneedling has an exfoliating effect, and it also uses various topical products to lock in moisture and nutrients into your skin. Please note that microneedling isn’t suitable for individuals with rough skin due to conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, which are best treated with a different medical approach.
- Low product absorption. Is your skin still dry and rough even with hydrating skin products? Or does your makeup apply unevenly? These are signs of low product absorption, which can be improved through microneedling.
Who Should Avoid Microneedling?
- You have active acne or infections. If you have cystic acne, inflamed acne, cold sores, impetigo, or fungal infections, it is recommended that you delay your microneedling treatment until the infection has cleared.
- You’re prone to keloids or poor wound healing. People with keloids, thickened, raised scars, tend to heal from wounds more slowly than most. In this case, they are at risk of abnormal scarring or complications if they undergo microneedling.
- You’re pregnant or breastfeeding. There’s only limited research done on microneedling during pregnancy, so it’s best to delay the treatment until your doctor clears you. Additionally, hormonal changes during pregnancy can increase certain risks and make your skin more sensitive than usual.
- You have certain medical conditions. If you have blood disorders, chronic illnesses, or a compromised immune system, you’re vulnerable to possible infections. You may also struggle with slower recovery from the microneedling treatment.
Conclusion
Microneedling is a non-invasive and versatile procedure, but like any skin treatment, it’s essential to understand how it works before booking your first appointment. This way, you can set realistic expectations and achieve ideal results as safely as possible.
And speaking of safety, Pure Skin Laser Center is dedicated to delivering high-quality and effective treatments, with your well-being as our top priority. With 10+ years of experience and a team of licensed aestheticians, you’re in good hands in our beauty and skin center. We only use FDA-approved products and state-of-the-art cosmetic equipment used by big and luxurious medical spas in the world.
If you’re interested in microneedling or other treatments, contact us at Pure Skin Laser Center today. You can book a one-on-one consultation with us, and our specialist will be happy to discuss how we can make your skin glow better!
