Microneedling is a popular skin-resurfacing treatment that’s gaining popularity thanks to YouTube, TikTok and Instagram. It has been demonstrated that the fascinating (and bloody) procedure increases collagen and decreases fine wrinkles and scars. A numbing cream is applied to your face before a handheld device covered in tiny needles punctures your skin. It starts your body’s healing response, producing collagen and elastin to smooth wrinkles.
Benefits
It seems counterintuitive that injuring your skin would lead to better skin, but that’s what happens with micro-needling. A cluster of needles in the device pricks your skin to stimulate the body’s natural collagen production. This results in a rejuvenating effect that fades acne scars smoothes wrinkles, and improves hyperpigmentation. It also increases your skin’s permeability so water-attracting products can penetrate more deeply. During the procedure, you get a numbing cream applied to your face before the doctor starts rolling the tool across the surface of your skin. Your dermatologist will move the device evenly to spread the micro-injuries. Then, the doctor will finish up the session by applying a growth serum or calming treatment. Most patients don’t experience any major side effects, but your skin may be red or sensitive for a few days after the treatment. Repeated sessions for microneedling treatments in Franklin, TN, will increase your skin’s collagen levels, making it tighter and smoother. The treatments aren’t as invasive as plastic surgery and have a much faster recovery time than other cosmetic treatments. However, excessive micro-needling can cause broken capillaries and predispose the skin to a plastic look. The best way to avoid this is to get your doctor’s advice before having too many microneedling sessions. They can help you develop a safe skin type and goals plan.
How It Works
Microneedling is a cosmetic treatment that involves penetrating your skin with needles. While that may sound frightening, it’s quite safe. The tiny needle pricks trigger the body’s natural healing process, which helps to smooth fine lines and wrinkles. Plus, it stimulates collagen production, tightening loose skin and reducing large pores. During a micro-needling session, a dermatologist or other trained professional will apply a topical anesthetic to numb the face. Then they’ll move a pen-shaped device or rolling tool with tiny needles around your face. The needles prick the skin, which causes a little bleeding and then activates the body’s natural healing response. Your body sends in collagen and elastin to patch up the tiny injuries, which helps smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, improve acne scarring and shrink large pores.
The result is younger-looking and more radiant skin. Plus, if you pair the procedure with PRP (platelet-rich plasma), you can increase the effects of micro-needling for enhanced skin rejuvenation. Before getting a micro-needling treatment, you should talk to your dermatologist to ensure you’re a good candidate. They’ll examine your skin and let you know if you have any skin conditions that would make it unsafe or inadvisable. Those include active acne; cold sores or warts; a tendency to form keloidal scarring; a blood-clotting disorder; or chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Side Effects
Some people might experience dry skin, but it usually subsides within 24-72 hours as the body starts to heal the micro-injuries. There could also be slight bruising and inflammation, which is not uncommon for this treatment. The procedure begins with a numbing cream smoothed on the face, then the person performing it moves a pen-shaped tool containing tiny needles in a rolling or stamping motion. The pricks cause some bleeding, but the person then spreads some cream or serum on your face to start your body’s healing process.
Once the wounds start to form, your body will send collagen and elastin to patch up the injuries and fill in your fine lines and wrinkles. It may take a few treatments to get the desired results, but most people consider micro-needling non-invasive and safe. It’s important to talk to a doctor before getting this procedure if you have serious acne or have a history of skin diseases or other conditions, such as autoimmune disorders or blood disorder that causes clots. Additionally, micro-needling shouldn’t be used on your face if you have an open wound or have been treated for cancer or radiation therapy. You should also avoid using products that increase sensitivity, like retinol or alpha hydroxy acids, for several days before the procedure.
Cost
The cost of micro-needling can vary depending on where you get the treatment and how many sessions are needed. It also depends on whether you get a standalone micro-needling treatment, add-ons like PRP, or a high-quality serum. A session at a dermatologist’s office will cost more than one done at a spa or med salon since these locations often have higher overhead costs. When choosing a practitioner, look for someone certified in micro-needling and with plenty of experience performing the procedure. The treatment is highly technique-dependent, and it can cause serious damage to the skin’s texture in inexperienced hands. Also, plastic surgeons and dermatologists usually have more training in the procedure and can achieve better results.
Despite its scary-sounding nature, microneedling can effectively achieve clearer, smoother skin. It can reduce hyperpigmentation and scarring, boost collagen production for firmer skin, and speed up cellular turnover for long-term benefits. If you do decide to go for a professional microneedling treatment, be prepared to spend $200 – $700 per session. The session takes about 20 – 30 minutes, and you’ll likely feel some moderate pain as the needles penetrate your skin. You’ll need to wait for the body’s wound-healing process to heal these tiny injuries, which can take a few weeks, but you should notice your skin improving as soon as that happens.
