Microneedling is not a new treatment, but improvements in the technology over the past few years have led to discoveries in this treatment’s effectiveness to regrow collagen and reduce the appearance of acne, stretch marks, scars, and other skin problems. Combined with other treatments, microneedling can even stimulate dormant hair follicles and help regrow hair.
Cosmetica is proud to offer microneedling and combination treatments in Boca Raton, Florida.
What Is Microneedling?
Microneedling is a hot new trend in skin rejuvenation that impressively stimulates healing and regrowth that can improve several conditions. From improving the appearance of wrinkles, acne scars, and stretch marks, to even stimulating hair regrowth, microneedling is almost a miracle cure.
The process uses almost microscopic needles to stimulate collagen regrowth in the skin or even in dormant hair follicles. When combined with other treatments like moisturizing facials or lasers, microneedling can greatly improve skin tone and health, reduce scarring, improve tautness, reduce cellulite, and much more.
The process of microneedling involves, as the name implies, very small, fine needles puncturing the surface of the skin. These are short, designed only to puncture the first few layers, and sterilized for every procedure. These pinpricks cause your body to react and rebuild the tissue, so after a few days, your skin appears more youthful, plump, and healthy.
What Does Microneedling Treat?
Although microneedling has been a cosmetic procedure since 1995, improvements in the science and procedure have led to a boom in microneedling applications at med spas, skin treatment centers, doctors’ offices, and even at home. Derma rollers are at-home microneedling devices which, when used only once a month or less, may help you see improvement in your skin.
Going to an aesthetician, dermatologist, or cosmetic specialist like those at Cosmetica generally means you’ll have a safer, cleaner microneedling experience possible. When you go to your dermatologist or a med spa for treatment, you can also get other treatments that keep your skin healthy and glowing long afterward. In-office treatments usually have sharper needles, which can reduce the risk of injury and are more effective as well.
Professional microneedling can treat skin tone and these other issues:
- Acne and acne scars
- Hypertrophic scars (thick, raised scars)
- Keloids (raised scars)
- Striae distensae (stretch marks)
- Androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness, which can also occur in women)
- Melasma (brown or blue-gray patches or spots on the skin, similar to freckles)
Microneedling varies in cost, from about $100 to $500 per treatment. Much of the cost depends on additional treatments used alongside microneedling, including hydrating facials, radiofrequency treatments, laser skin treatments, and more.
Will You Need Multiple Microneedling Treatments?
Depending on the health of your skin and the look you are trying to achieve, you may need multiple treatments. Some people only experience benefits after multiple treatments, with several weeks in between; however, many people get great effects after one treatment, especially if you seek wrinkle reduction, healthier looking skin, or other superficial effects.
A study from 2008 found that four microneedling sessions, spaced out with one month between each, led to a 400% increase in skin collagen and elastin at a six-month follow-up.
The benefits will wear off over time, but you can get another treatment in a month. If you use a derma roller at home, only do so once a month, and consider using home skin treatment serums or a sheet mask. Using microneedling more than once a month can break the capillaries in your skin, which can cause rashes and skin infections.
Is Microneedling Safe & Effective?
Microneedling is a very safe procedure that is used not only in cosmetic treatments, but in some surgical or reconstructive applications too.
By itself, microneedling can give your skin a healthy glow and appearance, but when combined with other treatments, it can produce profound benefits. Here are some treatment combinations:
- Microneedling with radiofrequency: Adding radiofrequency to the needles applied to the skin increases collagen production and skin tightening effects.
- Microneedling with minoxidil lotion: Minoxidil lotion is often applied by people who are losing their hair, but it can be more effective when combined with microneedling. A study of 100 participants found that the combined treatments were more effective than minoxidil alone. After 12 weeks, 82% of the combined treatment group reported 50% improvement, compared to less than 5% of the minoxidil-only group.
- Microneedling and laser treatment: People with stretch marks, sagging skin, scar tissue, or uneven skin tone can combine microneedling and laser skin therapy to reduce the appearance of blemishes more than just microneedling or laser treatment alone.
Talk to an aesthetician or cosmetic specialist at Cosmetica today to schedule a consultation about your skin’s needs.
References
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Microneedling. (August 2021). Elle.
#SkinSchool: Microneedling Made Simple. (April 2021). Harper’s Bazaar.
Microneedling: Where Do We Stand Now? A Systematic Review of the Literature. (January 2018). Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive, & Aesthetic Surgery.
What is Microneedling – and Is It Safe? (July 2019). Good Housekeeping.
Percutaneous Collagen Induction Therapy: An Alternative Treatment for Scars, Wrinkles, and Skin Laxity. (April 2008). Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
