Micro-needling therapy is a minimally-invasive, non-surgical, procedure for facial rejuvenation that involves the use of a micro-needling device to create a controlled skin injury.
As one of the safest skin treatment procedures, the key benefits of micro-needling are (1) there is a reduced risk of hyperpigmentation and scarring, thus it is safer for ethnic or dark skin, (2) it is suitable for thin and sensitive skin, (3) it is safe on skin that is not suitable for peeling or laser resurfacing, such as near eyes, and (4) it does not result in a line of demarcation between treated and untreated skin, as usually occurs with other resurfacing procedures.
What it does:
- Reduce scars (including hypertrophic scars) caused by acne, surgery, or thermal burns
- Fade stretch marks
- Reduce fine lines and deep wrinkles
- Treats pigmentation and melasma
- Tightens sagging skin
- Facial rejuvenation and improvement of skin tone and texture
What to do before the procedure:
- Keep out of the sun for 24 hours before your treatment
- Avoid taking autoimmune disease medication for 24 hours
- Arrive at the clinic with a clean face and no makeup
- Don’t have micro-needling performed if you have used Accutane (Isotretinoin), an acne medication, in the last six months
What to expect during the procedure:
- Your aesthetician will apply a topical numbing cream before treatment begins to improve your comfort level.
- As each fine needle punctures the skin, it creates a channel or micro-wound. The micro-channels created spontaneously close after 10 minutes so that epidermal barrier integrity remains intact. The inflammatory response leads to the production of new collagen, elastin, and capillaries. The needles are up to 3 mm in length but typically 0.5 mm length is used to minimize bleeding and enable rapid recovery.
- Some patients say the process feels like having sandpaper rubbed across the treatment area.
- During the micro-needling procedure, your skin may become red and tight, creating the sensation that you have been sunburned.
What to expect after the treatment?
- Swelling and some skin peeling are all considered to be within the realm of normal up to 48 hours after the procedure
How many treatments are needed before results become visible?
- The number of needling procedures depends on the individual skin condition. Three to four treatments may be needed for moderate acne scars. Scars from thermal burns and stretch marks (striae) may require up to five procedures
- In the case of wrinkles associated with skin ageing, 4 – 6 initial treatments and then 1 – 2 refresher treatments are recommended every year
