One of the more popular trends in aesthetic treatment is microneedling. This relatively low tech procedure has big payouts in terms of wrinkle reduction and acne scar improvement. We expect this to become one of our most popular procedures especially in patients who are new to rejuvenating therapies targeted at collagen induction.
What is Microneedling?
Microneedling involves thousands of microscopic punctures to the skin surface using very fine needles. At Synergy Medical Aesthetics, we use a motorized piston wand with a single-use, sterile 12-needle tip moving at high frequency on the skin surface. The depth of needle penetration is adjustable to the facial area (shallow for near the eyes) and to the target problem (deeper for scars).
How does it work?
What’s all fuss about? We know that controlled injury of the skin leads to organized healing. Microneedling causes mechanical injury to the deep tissues (dermis) but leaves the upper layer (epidermis) relatively intact. There is measurable improvement in skin thickness as well as collagen and elastic deposition. Enhanced collagen and elastin makes skin more subtle and youthful.
What conditions can microneedling treat?
Multiple growth factors associated with microneedling have been identified. The results have been referred to as “collagen induction therapy” – the golden outcome of any aesthetic procedure. A wide range of indications for this treatment now include:
- skin rejuvenation
- improvement in fine lines and wrinkles
- acne scars
- surgical, burn and traumatic scars
- stretch marks
- drug delivery in melasma/melanosis and hair loss
How does it feel and how will I look?
The patient experiences a vibration as the wand is moved back and forth on target areas. Comfort is achieved with numbing gel applied in-office 30 minutes prior to treatment.
After treatment, the skin is red and there may be areas of mild bruising especially near bony areas like below the eyes. During treatment, there are fine points of bleeding which close within 3-5 minutes.
Sunscreen should be applied for the first week, but regular cosmetics can be used within 24 hours of microneedling.
Can microneedling be combined with other therapies?
Yes! In fact we are only just beginning to touch the surface of what combination therapies will enhance the microneedling effect.
At Synergy Medical Aesthetics, we recommended “Laser-Boost microneedling” for facial rejuvenation. This combination harnesses laser energy + the mechanical injury of microneedling to wake up the healing mechanism and to trigger collagen/elastin production. After numbing the skin, we proceed with full facial fractional non-ablative laser (1440 nm Erbium). This laser sends a heat trigger to the deeper water layer and achieves a surface polish, skin brightening, and skin tightening effect. Immediately after laser, we target the wrinkle zones like crows feet, upper lips, and cheeks with microneedling. By combining both therapies, we can layer benefits for added results.
Who should not get microneedling?
Patients with active acne, history of keloid scarring, those on immune medications, or taking anti-coagulants should not have treatment. Facial redness/broken blood vessels are common signs of aging and sun damage – these problems are better treated with laser or intense pulse light therapies. You will be offered the right solution for the right problem.
Contact us for a FREE consultation with our trained medical aestheticians, 250-591-1566
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