Do needles make your palms sweat? A lot of people fear them for obvious reasons, but if you said yes, don’t fret just yet. Although microneedling uses small needles to puncture the skin’s surface, this popular procedure is anything but scary. It could even be the solution to having the skin of your dreams! We sat down with Loiza Azim, Advanced Cosmetic Nurse at HealthOne, to get the scoop on microneedling and the ways it can improve your complexion.
What is Microneedling?
“Microneedling is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure that’s used to treat skin concerns via collagen production,” explains Loiza. “It’s also commonly known as collagen induction therapy.”
Microneedling uses a pen-shaped device to create micro-injuries on the skin. This encourages the body’s skin to repair itself on two levels: the epidermis (outer layer) and the dermis (inner layer).
“In terms of devices, [at HealthOne] we use the Dermapen 4,” she says. “It has 16 microscopic sterile needles that oxalate faster while creating tiny wounds on the skin’s surface. The Dermapen is safer and more effective for penetrating the skin when compared to traditional microneedling rollers, and will also give you more consistent results.”
Microneedling at Home
Traditional microneedling rollers designed for at-home use can help your skin absorb products better. But they don’t penetrate deep enough to stimulate collagen production (aka the part where the real magic happens). For real, noticeable results, it’s best to leave the needling to the professionals.
Before every procedure, a skin specialist will go through a medical consultation with you to ensure you’re a good candidate. “Then before getting started, your skin specialist will use a topical anaesthetic to reduce any pain, and that’s usually done 30-45 minutes before treatment,” Loiza shares. “During the procedure, your skin specialist will make small pin-pricks in the skin with the pen-like tool and move it across the full area so your results are even.”
You can expect microneedling to take approximately 30 minutes for a face treatment, and closer to 45 for face and body. That’s right–microneedling can reveal beautiful skin not only on your face, but other areas on your body as well. So, how does the science behind microneedling work? It all comes down to collagen and elastin.
The Benefits of Microneedling
“The idea is that pin-pricks from the procedure each cause a slight injury to the skin,” explains Loiza. “The skin responds by creating new, rich collagen tissue. It’s more even and toned in texture.”
Collagen is a protein found in the skin that keeps it looking healthy and plump. Our skin produces less of it the older we get, so more collagen can mean more youthful-looking skin, too. Elastin is another protein made of connective tissue that the skin produces during microneedling. It helps give our skin the ability to stretch.
In response to the pin-pricks created by the Dermapen, your skin sends more collagen and elastin to the site of the injuries. These proteins work together, and ultimately, heal your skin. There's no need to worry about long downtimes, though—microneedling is a fractional treatment, which means only a fraction of the skin is impacted. Since the skin around each pin prick does not need to heal, Loiza notes that recovery times are relatively quick.
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Microneedling Aftercare
“Most of the recovery time happens the first day or two after the treatment,” she says. You can expect your skin to look flushed with bright red, but the exterior appearance will quickly fade. “The healing will still be happening under the surface for up to 3 months,” she adds, “So it’s very important to follow the skincare regime that your skincare specialist recommends after coming.”
One of the staples of post-microneedling care is to liberally apply sunscreen to avoid any skin damage. This will also ensure the results of your treatment are long-lasting. Most people need 3-6 treatments to see the best results, Loiza says, but for younger people, 1-2 is often enough. Once you get the results you’re looking for, you can come for maintenance appointments every 3-6 months.
Could a Dermapen be the skin solution you’re looking for? Here are 5 ways it can improve your complexion.
Microneedling for Acne Scars
Most people experience acne at some point in their life. It’s common during our teen years when we go through puberty, but many adults deal with troubled skin as they grow older as well.
Acne can be downright frustrating to deal with, let alone the scars it can leave behind. This is often a result of deeper, more severe acne because it can damage the tissue below it. While it’s difficult to completely remove acne scars, there are ways to significantly reduce their appearance. Microneedling is one of the most effective ways to achieve this.
Atrophic scars are one of the most common types. They’re characterized as being deeper scars that sit below the skin around them. These develop when there isn’t enough collagen during the time the wound (or blemish) is healing, so collagen induction therapy can be a great way to treat them. The new Dermapen 4 has a special 3mm depth setting which has been proven to greatly reduce the appearance of scars.
Age Spots/Sun Spots
SPF is essential during post-micro needling recovery. But leaving sunscreen out of your routine all year round can lead to age spots (or sun spots) later on in life. The importance of preventative skin health and using enough SPF should never be overlooked!
Age spots develop due to sun exposure and are most often found in people over the age of 50. Younger people can develop them too, but they appear more frequently with age. These flat, dark, oval-shaped marks appear commonly on the face, but can also show up on the hands, arms, or shoulders.
The reason these spots appear darker is because of an uneven distribution of melanin (or pigment) on the skin’s surface. As we age, these spots can become even darker and pronounced instead of fading away on their own. Microneedling can help by reducing the appearance of age spots and breaking up the melanin. It’s an effective way to restart the skin’s own growth process and create newer, healthier cells.
Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Another change that happens to our skin as we age is that it produces less collagen and elastin. As a result, we can develop fine lines and wrinkles in places like our eyes, mouth, nose, and forehead. While genetics can play a large role, many people can start noticing them as young as 25.
It’s up to each person to determine what their own unique skin journey looks like. But for those who want to minimize the appearance of lines and wrinkles, microneedling is an excellent solution. Stimulating more collagen and elastin can help your skin look younger, smoother, and all-around more radiant.
Large Pores
The appearance of large pores can happen for several reasons. Those with acne-prone or oily skin might find themselves more susceptible to it, and genetics can play a big role, too. Pores can look larger due to a decreased amount of elastin making the skin less tight and more noticeable.
You can’t necessarily change the size of your pores, but you can minimize their appearance with microneedling. Common areas, like the nose and cheeks, can benefit greatly from this procedure. You should also be diligent with SPF to minimize the appearance of large pores year-round.
Microneedling for Stretch Marks
Stretch marks show up on the skin when the body goes through quick periods of growth in a short amount of time, such as puberty or pregnancy. This rapid overstretching takes place on the dermal (inner) layer of the skin. People often get stretch marks on the stomach, abdomen, thighs or breasts, but they can be found on other areas of the body as well.
While microneedling is most often used to treat facial skin concerns, it can also be done on the body. A woman who recently gave birth who wishes to reduce stretch marks on her stomach, for example, might turn to microneedling to reduce their appearance. You can speak with your skincare specialist to determine the best treatment plan for your skin concerns.
Need Microneedling in Toronto?
It’s time to reveal more beautiful skin and a more beautiful you. If you have acne scars, age spots, fine lines, wrinkles, large pores, or stretch marks, microneedling is a great way to make them less visible. At-home microneedling will only give you a fraction of the best results, so how do you choose the right clinic to go to?
At HealthOne MediSpa and Skin Clinic, our expert technicians prioritize your safety first and foremost. We always make sure each patient is a good candidate by completing a medical assessment prior to treatment. We also take extra care in understanding the state of your current skin, the troubles you’re facing, and the goals you wish to achieve.
Our skincare specialists want nothing more than to provide you with an outstanding experience. We explain to you every step of the procedure, from applying a topical numbing cream to using the Dermapen itself. If you experience discomfort or have questions at any point, we’re right there with you to resolve your concerns.
HealthOne offers more than just microneedling when it comes to transforming your skin. Our MediSpa and Skin Clinic staff would be pleased to help you find additional ways to accomplish your skin goals. If you want to improve your skincare regimen with anti-aging products, we can educate and provide you with the best pharmaceutical products on the market. If you’re interested in more skin treatments to treat scars, we offer IPL Photo Facials and NanoFractional Radio Frequency Treatments among other professional options.
Whatever your skincare needs are, we have an experienced team who would love to assist you on your journey to beautiful skin. For a more beautiful complexion in a short amount of time, microneedling could be the exact solution you’re looking for! Book an appointment to get started today.
