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Indulge in your number one beauty wish with spotless skin! The world of facials offers a myriad of options, with new techniques emerging frequently. Amidst the choices, it’s often challenging to discern what truly works. Enter microneedling facial – a unanimous favorite among dermatologists, estheticians, and satisfied clients. Microneedling, or collagen induction therapy, is a minimally invasive treatment addressing various skin concerns. While results may be gradual, the undeniable transformation makes it absolutely worthwhile. Elevate your skincare routine with the trusted efficacy of microneedling for a radiant, flawless complexion.
Microneedling is a skin resurfacing treatment aimed at enhancing the appearance and texture of the skin, as well as addressing imperfections. Widely adopted in the beauty industry, this highly effective and minimally invasive procedure is virtually painless. It can be applied to various skin areas, including the face, scalp, and body.
The technique involves controlled puncturing and the infliction of micro-traumas on the skin, stimulating its regeneration. Commonly referred to as collagen induction therapy, microneedling primarily works by encouraging the production of collagen, resulting in an improvement in skin structure.
This is a multipurpose treatment that combines several beneficial mechanisms to fight:
The microneedling treatment involves creating numerous tiny punctures in the skin, reaching the live skin cells in the dermis layer. These micro-injuries prompt the healing process, leading to the development of new and improved skin. Over time, this contributes to the gradual reduction of targeted skin issues and an enhancement in the overall condition of the treated area.
The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) explains that when the skin is injured, the body initiates a regeneration process, repairing the affected area with healthy new skin. This involves triggering the production of collagen, a key protein in skin structure, and elastin, which contributes to skin elasticity. These components are directed to the channels created in the skin, forming new fibers.
The process of skin needling, which may need to be repeated several times for collagen remodeling, can increase collagen production by up to 400%. The heightened levels of these components generated by the body result in the formation of more fibers, leading to an improved skin structure and appearance.
Additionally, applying serums formulated to address specific skin issues onto the treated skin enhances the efficiency of the treatment, as these substances penetrate the skin rather than remain on its surface.
The microneedling procedure, whether for the face, scalp, or other body areas, generally involves the following steps:
Step 1 – Consults and Assessment: Your esthetician evaluates the area to understand the skin issue’s severity, discusses expected outcomes, and determines the required number of treatments. Medical history questions ensure treatment safety.
Step 2 – Cleaning: The targeted area is cleansed with a gentle, non-irritating cleanser and disinfected to ensure a clean surface, free from makeup, residues, and sebum, reducing infection risks.
Step 3 – Numbing: An anesthetic gel or cream is applied to numb the skin, ensuring a painless experience. The duration depends on the treated area’s thickness and sensitivity: 15-20 minutes for the face, 20-30 minutes for the body, and 30-40 minutes for the scalp. Some estheticians use plastic wrap to enhance numbing.
Step 4 – Skin Needling: Once the skin is numb, microneedling begins. Using a derma pen or derma roller, the technician moves back and forth, causing micro-injuries that turn the skin red, with possible pinpoint bleeding – a normal reaction. The duration varies from 10-20 minutes, depending on the treated area’s size.
Step 5 – Mask or Serum: Following microneedling, a soothing mask or serum is applied to calm and nourish the skin or achieve specific effects. Commonly, hyaluronic acid is used for its universal effectiveness. For a microneedling facial, SPF is applied to protect the treated area from sun radiation for the rest of the day.
The procedure can be combined with other treatments like PRP or BB glow.
Radiofrequency (RF) microneedling is a specialized variation using a different device and technique.
Microneedling for the face or body is generally not considered painful, thanks to the application of numbing agents to minimize discomfort. However, individuals may still experience sensations during the procedure.
Common descriptions of microneedling sensations include tingling, scratching, or stinging, and occasionally a feeling of warmth or numbness in the treated area. Sensitivity can vary, with bony areas and thinner skin often causing slightly more discomfort. The level of sensation may also depend on the needle’s length and thickness, with thinner needles generally causing less discomfort.
In general, microneedling with a derma pen is perceived as less uncomfortable than with a dermaroller. It’s essential to communicate any significant pain to your esthetician, who can adjust the needle length to ensure a more comfortable experience.
While a single microneedling session may offer some improvement, optimal results are typically seen with 3 to 6 sessions, varying based on the severity of the skin concern.
The process of collagen remodeling, responsible for enhancing skin texture, occurs gradually and becomes more noticeable with multiple sessions. Many clients experience substantial improvement after three sessions, but certain cases may necessitate additional treatments to achieve the desired results.
An average session lasts up to 30 minutes, but numbing may prolong it if it requires 30+ minutes.
After each microneedling session, you’ll need to pay some special attention to the treated area to make sure it heals properly and comfortably, and to prevent infection:
It’s crucial you only use products that your esthetician green-lights. Harsh products could irritate the skin or affect its natural response.
Not really. You can go back to your day right away, as long as you don’t mind the redness.
The micro-injuries will close up within a few days after each session depending on treatment intensity, but to make sure the skin’s internal processes have time to roll out, further sessions should be booked at least 3 weeks apart, ideally 4-6 weeks.
It’s important to understand that the microneedling effects don’t happen overnight. Collagen remodeling takes time, and the best results are achieved within a few months and with several sessions.
That said, you will notice your skin looking bright and radiant a few days after the treatment. But different effects show up at different times. Skin tightening happens almost immediately.
Diminishing scars takes the most time. Some improvement will happen quite soon, but the final result takes patience.
This depends on what you want to achieve.
Brightening, tightening and anti-aging effects can last anywhere from 4 months to a year, but can be maintained with additional sessions. Scalp microneedling also needs to be maintained. Scar reduction can be permanent.
