What is it?

Microneedling, also called collagen induction therapy, is a treatment effective in treating acne scarring and pitting, injury and surgical scars, skin discoloration, mild rosacea b, fine lines, wrinkles, and stretch marks. Skin needling is a safe and controlled method of treatment and it can benefit all skin types.

According to a 2008 study, skin treated with four microneedling sessions spaced one month apart produced up to a 400% increase in collagen and elastin six months after completing treatment.

How does is work?

As the micro-needling device stamps over your skin, it creates tiny, micro-point punctures in the skin, the majority of which are simply pushing your pores open temporarily. The body thinks this is damage, so it releases growth factors that trigger the production of collagen and elastin. Your skin reacts to any injury by initiating the healing process. You encourage your skin to continue healing through this microneedling process.
Your skin normally assumes that scars, stretch marks and wrinkles are repaired, but with microneedling treatments, the skin is tricked into repairing itself. The process of microneedling skin remodeling can go on for months after each microneedling treatment. Results can be seen within a week or even a few days. Your skin naturally heals itself every 45 days, so with a little microneedling stimulation changes can be dramatic and fast.

How is it performed?

Skin needling procedures are performed in a safe and precise manner with the use of sterile needle head. The procedure is normally completed within 30-60 minutes depending on the required treatment and area to be treated. Before the procedure starts a topical anaesthetic (numbing cream) will be applied to your skin to ensure a comfortable experience. After the skin is numbed, the esthetician gently moves the microneedling device over your skin to puncture the epidermis layers of the skin and create very small subcutaneous injuries. These microscopic wounds stimulate new collagen deposition which may last for up to a year, yet they close within less than an hour.

How will my skin look after the treatment?

After the procedure your skin will be red and flushed like a mild sunburn. You will also experience tightness and mild sensitivity to touch on the area being treated. This will diminish greatly after a few hours following treatment and within the next 24 hours the skin will be completely healed. After 3-4 days there is barely any evidence that the procedure has taken place, although some may have a slightly pink appearance for a little longer.

How quickly are results visible?

Visible results of skin rejuvenation are generally seen after just 6-8 weeks following procedure and improve further over time. A series of micro-needling sessions, is usually recommended to achieve optimum results; however skin improvement is noticeable after just one treatment.

When to avoid:
Contraindications and precautions include; keloid or raised scarring; history of eczema, psoriasis and other chronic conditions; history of actinic (solar) keratosis; history of Herpes Simplex infections; history of diabetes; presence of raised moles, warts or any raised lesions on targeted area.

Absolute contraindications include; scleroderma, collagen vascular diseases or cardiac abnormalities; Rosacea and blood clotting problems; active bacterial or fungal infection; immuno-suppression; scars less than 6 months old; and facial fillers in the past 6 months.