We all do it: brush our hair, examine our faces in the mirror, check our smile…hoping we look better. And we all get them: little scars, wrinkles and spots that make us feel less confident than we want. It’s natural to want to be confident about how we look. So it’s no surprise that in a recent, wide-ranging survey of 14,584 cosmetically conscious adults conducted by the Aesthetic Surgery Journal and noted inNational Library of Medicine, 81% of respondents said they would be willing to invest in improving their appearance. This quest for self-improvement has led to the popularity of minimally invasive cosmetic procedures, such as microneedling, which stimulate the body’s own anti-aging collagen production.
It is important to note that there are many other minimally invasive treatments available. Each patient’s medical history, individual skin conditions and overall goals will be unique, so it is important to have a personalized consultation and be informed about all possible options.
Shaffer says microneedling is a fairly simple procedure, but it’s still not a one-size-fits-all approach. The first step in the process is book a full consultationso that your esthetician can determine the best course of action for your case.
If, together, you and your provider decidemicroneedlingwould be beneficial for you, an appointment is scheduled. While microneedling is often thought of as a way to smooth and tighten facial skin, it can also be done on the neck, chest, back, legs and other areas. A range of treatments may be recommended, depending on the areas and conditions you wish to treat. Each microneedling session includes three main steps:
After a microneedling session, you can go straight home or back to work with minimal downtime. We will provide you with some aftercare procedures to relieve the swelling and redness that may be present for a few days. For example, we recommend using an ice pack and staying out of the sun, as your skin will be quite sensitive in the treated areas. We will also advise you on skincare products like ours post-procedure kit which will help to heal and promote the benefits of the process.
One of the things that makes microneedling a good choice for so many patients is that, apart from some temporary redness and a little swelling after the treatment, there is very little downtime and there are few side effects, especially compared to other skin resurfacing treatments.
All these results come from the microtraumas caused by microneedling, which causes more collagen and elastin production in the skin. Creating these processes within the skin reduces the appearance of redness from scars as well.
“There are so many skin conditions that we can treat with microneedling, but the most common problem I see in my practice isacne scars ,” Shaffer shares. “While acne can be very annoying and frustrating on its own, sometimes the worst part of acne is what it leaves behind once it’s under control.” In particular, microneedling can smooth and even out skin texture to eliminate deeper, crater-like scars.
“Again, it’s not ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to a procedure like this,” says Shaffer. “Everyone has a different degree of scarring along with different expectations.” During your consultation, we will fully examine your skin, discuss your goals, and choose the best treatment options to achieve those goals.
In addition to the simple application of microneedling mentioned earlier, there are different types of needles, serums, and even radio frequencies (RF) that we can apply to different situations.
RF microneedling uses the same process described previously. However, radiofrequency heat is also applied through the microneedles, which accelerates cellular healing of the microwounds delivered during the treatment.
At Apex, we offer itExiondevice for RF Microneedling in selected locations.
There are also some home-based products on the market, but using these without proper training or expertise is dangerous. “As always, it’s very important to seek professional advice before starting any treatment like microneedling, and I don’t recommend doing this treatment at home,” says Shaffer.
Based on the consultation with you, we will choose which treatments to use to achieve the results you desire. Often, we find that a combination of different treatments and products produces the best before and after microneedling results.
Microneedling can repair many different types of skin damage and reverse the signs of aging. Some of the skin conditions we can relieve and improve through various forms of microneedling include:
Since each patient is unique, we tailor the treatment or combination of treatments to the specific needs, skin condition and optimal result. Professional treatment and personal adjustment are crucial, as Shaffer explains.
Although microneedling is suitable for most patients, there are still some risks associated with the procedure and we want to make sure you are a suitable candidate for treatment. Shaffer further explains:
“There is a risk of infection, as with any acupuncture procedure,” explains Shaffer. “And too deep microneedling can cause more trauma to the areas and create additional scarring. Also, some topical and oral medications should be discontinued before receiving this treatment.”
Typical microneedling appointment time varies depending on the goals and area to be treated, but post-appointment downtime is fairly minimal. You may experience some dryness after treatment which may last for a few days afterwards. However, most patients tolerate it well and you can usually resume your normal skin care routine three days after treatment.
Shaffer also says, “There may be some bruising, swelling, and tightness after treatment, but again, this usually subsides within a few days after treatment. There are products we recommend for post-procedure care that promote healing and can improve results and these can be discussed during the consultation.”
Microneedling procedures can be proven to improve skin texture for patients who want to reduce the signs of wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, texture problems and different types of scars, including significant acne scars. Shaffer urges people dealing with any skin condition to come in for a consultation and encourages everyone to ask questions and educate themselves:
“If you feel like your skin is weak, you don’t like fine lines or the complexion you have, you have stubborn acne scars, or if you have visible pores, microneedling may be an option for you. Incorporating treatments like microneedling into your skin care routine will give you long-lasting benefits and results, and we can combine the treatments with a skin care regimen tailored to your skin’s needs.”
