All about Microneedling

Medical microneedling is one of the highly sought after treatments in the aesthetic field, as it promises to improve texture, brighten skin tone, and address fine lines and wrinkles - what is there not to like?!

How does it work?

Microneedling is the process of making many tiny microscopic channels in the deep layers of the skin (epidermis and dermis), in order to stimulate the natural process of wound healing, which occurs when the skin encounters physical trauma. This leads to the body’s own production of new collagen and elastin. It is also a fantastic way of facilitating Mesotherapy, a treatment where skincare actives are gently infused into the skin, therefore increasing the efficacy of the chosen ingredients. Altogether, we can expect skin that is brightened, tightened and rejuvenated without the use of surgery or cosmetic injectables.

Can I have this treatment?

If your skin is feeling dull, dehydrated, or you’re concerned about targeting skin texture, fine lines or scarring, then this is the treatment for you! Contraindications: active rosacea or acne, skin infection, eczema, scleroderma, psoriasis, keloid scarring, pregnancy, or blood-clotting disorders. If you’re unsure, do check with your physician.

I’m not that great with needles. Does it hurt?

This treatment is usually comfortable as a numbing cream is applied beforehand. Post-treatment the face might feel slightly warm and tingly but this settles within a few days.

What is the downtime?

This depends on how your skin responds and how deep the needling goes, but you can expect: redness, dryness, tightness, peeling, heat and tenderness. These may last up to 3 days but are generally mild and self-limiting.

How soon will I see results and how many sessions are required?

Results are usually apparent from the first treatment. and are dependent on the skin condition and depth of the needling. The body’s production of collagen and elastin has a cumulative effect, which means the more often you schedule in your needling, the better the results. Generally, a course of 4-6 treatments every 4 weeks is recommended. Speak with your treating physician for more information on your regime.

What is the difference between in-clinic and home microneedling?

The main difference is the needle length used and the environment where the treatment is carried out. With a qualified physician, this is done usually with needles of 0.5 mm or more - several needling devices even have variable needle lengths to be used at the discretion of the physician, depending on the areas and severity of the skin condition. As in-clinic microneedling penetrate deeper into the layers of the skin, it is performed in an aseptic environment, and with a technique respecting the facial anatomy. In short, medical needling is more indicated for creating controlled injury to the skin, while home needling for product penetration.

Disclosure: this article is not intended to replace medical advice by your healthcare provider. If you have further queries, book in with the M-ethod™ for individualised guidance tailored to your needs.

References:

European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2009, Volume 36, pages 511-523

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2014, Volume 13, pages 38-43