Microneedling Langley is a great cosmetic treatment for women with darker skin. The controlled trauma and thousands of needle pokes liberate and remove blackheads, which can be difficult to treat with lasers.
You may have seen photos of this procedure showing some pinpoint bleeding, but this is good! Your body responds to the treatment, which stimulates collagen induction.
Microneedling involves puncturing the skin with a needle-based tool. The pricking causes tiny injuries to the surface of your skin, which then triggers your body to heal them by sending collagen and elastin your way. In turn, this promotes the formation of new skin cells and the tightening of existing ones. It can also fade scars, shrink pores, smooth out wrinkles, and treat a range of skin conditions.
Before your procedure, you will get a numbing cream smoothed on your face so that you won’t feel the needle pricks. Then, a person doing the microneedling will move a pen-shaped or rolling device with tiny needles over your face. The needles can be targeted specifically at areas of the face that need a bit more work, like fine lines and acne scars. You can also get it done on other parts of your body, like the stomach or thighs.
The micro-injuries created by the needles also prompt your skin to grow more collagen, which in turn makes the skin look firmer and younger. It’s a great way to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, reduce scarring, fade stretch marks, reduce pore size, reduce pigmentation issues, and calm skin problems like rosacea.
Because microneedling involves penetrating the skin, you need to go to a professional who is trained to do it. Dermatologists, surgeons who specialize in skin care, and aestheticians can all perform the treatment. There are also do-it-yourself microneedling kits that you can buy, but dermatologists warn against using them at home because you might accidentally hurt your skin or miss the best spots to treat.
In addition, you should always ask if a health care provider who does microneedling cleans the needle cartridge between patients and if they use new cartridges for each treatment session with the same patient. Reusing cartridges can cause or spread infection. Infections after the procedure can also occur if you don’t follow proper skin care guidelines, including staying out of water or other places where germs are present and using clean, sterilized needles. The pricking causes the skin to become more sensitive, so you should avoid makeup and sunscreen that contain retinol or glycolic acid for a few days after your treatment.
How Does Microneedling Work?
The skin is treated with a numbing cream and then the specialist moves a pen-shaped device with needles around your face. The needles make little cuts which trigger your body’s natural healing process. The body sends collagen and elastin to patch up the little injuries and to smooth out wrinkles. The procedure is especially effective for acne scars and to improve skin tone and texture. It also reduces the size of pores and helps treat brown spots and uneven skin tone.
Microneedling can be combined with PRP (platelet-rich plasma). This treatment is created by spinning a sample of blood to concentrate the platelets and transforming growth factors. This is then applied to the skin and can speed up the results of microneedling. It’s often referred to as a Vampire Facial and can be used for a variety of cosmetic issues including large pores, enlarged moles, fine lines, dark circles under the eyes and uneven skin tone.
In a recent study, researchers found that microneedling reduced all types of surgical scars by up to 80%. It can also be used to address keloidal scars, which are raised and firmer than normal skin. It’s also effective in reducing the appearance of stretch marks and in treating other skin concerns, such as crow’s feet, pore size, hyperpigmentation and rosacea.
If you decide to get microneedling, make sure to choose a professional who has experience with the procedure and uses high-quality equipment. The needles may cause bruising and redness, but the results are usually worth it. To maximize your results, avoid taking aspirin or other anti-inflammatory medications for a week before your appointment. It’s also a good idea to moisturize your skin and use sun protection during the day.
A professional will prepare your skin before the treatment by cleaning it with an antiseptic. Then they will apply a numbing cream. You should avoid using exfoliants or abrasive scrubs for the first two weeks before your appointment. It’s also important to avoid tanning or using any other hair removal products for the same time. If you’re concerned about a potential allergic reaction to the numbing cream, talk to your provider about it before you undergo the procedure.
How Much Does Microneedling Cost?
During your microneedling consultation, you’ll discuss your skin goals with your practitioner and get a full breakdown of the associated costs. This will help you decide whether this procedure is a good fit for your budget and needs.
The cost of your microneedling treatment will depend on a number of factors, including the size of the area being treated. Generally, larger areas require more treatment time and therefore have higher prices attached to them. However, other considerations like the type of treatment you’re getting and the amount of additional treatments you’ll need to see significant results can also increase or decrease your final price tag.
Before you actually have your microneedling done, your practitioner will cleanse your face and apply a topical numbing cream to the skin. This will take a few minutes to take effect, and once it does, the process can begin.
During the microneedling treatment, your practitioner will use a handheld device to create small needle punctures across the surface of your skin. These tiny “wounds” trick the body into thinking it’s being attacked and sending out extra collagen to repair these damage cells. This is what gives microneedling its anti-aging and rejuvenation effects.
Once your skin is numb, your practitioner will clean the target area and apply an appropriate serum to promote healing. Then, using the microneedling tool, they’ll work section by section to treat your targeted concerns.
Most patients require a series of three to six treatments, spaced two to six weeks apart, to see the best results. These results will continue to improve over the months following your initial treatments, and may even last for a year or more.
After your microneedling session, you’ll have to keep up with good skincare habits to keep your results long-lasting. That means making sure to wash your face regularly and apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher when you go outside. In addition, it’s important to avoid picking at your skin or applying any abrasive facial products that could cause irritation.
Many facilities offer financing for microneedling services, as well as payment plans to make it more affordable. You should also ask your practitioner about any supplemental products or treatment-enhancing skin care that they recommend.
Are Microneedling Procedures Safe?
Microneedling is a safe cosmetic procedure when performed by a trained technician and in a proper medical setting. It has a low risk of infection and can minimize the appearance of scars, wrinkles, stretch marks, and uneven skin tone. However, some people may experience redness or irritation immediately after treatment. This is normal and usually disappears within a few days.
When you visit a dermatologist, they will use a numbing cream to reduce the discomfort during the microneedling process. The dermatologist will also take into consideration your specific skin type and condition when determining if you are a good candidate for this cosmetic treatment. Before the procedure, you should avoid using any retinoids or other topical medications that can interfere with proper healing. You should also skip shaving, waxing, and other hair removal products for a week before your appointment.
The results of a microneedling treatment can be seen almost instantly. This is because the controlled trauma caused by the needles causes your body to create new collagen and elastin. This leads to a smoother, younger-looking skin tone and texture. In addition, microneedling can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating a regenerative response.
Another great thing about the microneedling treatment is that it can be used to treat a variety of skin conditions. It can improve the appearance of mild acne scars, uneven skin texture, and enlarged pores. However, it is not effective for deep acne scars or those with a raised appearance. Microneedling is also a great option for people with blackheads because the needle pokes break up and liberate the blackheads from the skin.
If you are interested in getting a microneedling treatment, make sure to book an appointment with APDerm. The dermatologist will be able to determine if you are a good candidate for the treatment and can provide the best results. Also, remember to avoid at-home devices and microneedling services at non-medical spas. These treatments are not regulated and don’t puncture your skin in the same way that a dermatologist does. This can lead to less noticeable results and may cause damage to the skin.