Microneedling
Consultations offered at our three convenient locations in Toledo OH, Oregon OH and Taylor MI
Smooth, full, and glowing skin isn’t magic; it’s science! Young skin is firm and wrinkle-free thanks to a triad of elastins, hyaluronic acid, and collagen. The hyaluronic acid keeps all components of the skin hydrated, while the elastins in the dermis keep the skin tight.
The collagen proteins in our skin play the very important role of supporting the vital structure and volume of our skin.
Unfortunately, from the age of 25 and on, our body begins slowing down its production of collagen and hyaluronic acid. This would be as if you slowly took the support beams away from a building over time. Eventually, the floors and roof would start sagging. With less firming collagen to volumize the dermis, most people eventually see lines and wrinkles form in their skin.
Thankfully, patients now have the option of re-stimulating their diminished collagen with microneedling, a minimally-invasive way of reaching beneath the skin with miniscule needles to promote the body’s own collagen production.
To learn more about your candidacy for microneedling, reach out to our helpful staff today to schedule a consultation with our doctors.
Contents
What is Microneedling?
Microneedling, sometimes referred to as Collagen Induction Therapy, is a non-abrasive, therapeutic tool that treats signs of aging such as wrinkles and stretch marks, scars, both acne or surgical, and hyperpigmentation. A microneedling procedure involves the careful insertion of roughly a dozen targeted, very fine needles, housed in a sanitary, easy-to-handle device that allows your surgeon to penetrate to varying depths of the skin. The needles stimulate the components of the skin itself, reawakening the production of vital collagen and elastin.
While microneedling may seem intimidating to people who are shy of needles, the treatment is safe and a popular choice for patients looking to improve both the topical appearance of their skin and the youthful fullness of their face. It is similar to laser treatments in that it increases the production of collagen and does not damage the skin. It also results in new capillaries that increase blood supply.
Is Microneedling Right for Me?
Microneedling may be right for you if you have:
- Mild to moderate scarring
- Fine lines or wrinkles
- Loose or sagging skin
- Stretch marks
- Concerns about your skin texture or pore size
- A wish to treat sensitive and fragile areas, such as around the eyes, the neck, or the back of the hands, that cannot be treated with lasers
- Microneedling is safe on all skin types and colors and has virtually no side effects.
Microneedling is the right skin rejuvenating treatment for almost anyone! However, it may not be the right choice for patients with certain skin issues, such as eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, raised moles, or keloids. Microneedling is also an effective means of diminishing the appearance of acne scars, but will not resolve active acne. The procedure may in fact inflict harm to the skin where acne is already present; patients are advised to wait until their acne is resolved, and have the scars addressed with microneedling. If a patient has resolved their acne with a medication like Accutane, they may also want to wait until it has been as least six months since they completed their session. Patients on blood thinners may also want to speak to a doctor about whether microneedling will be right for them.
To learn more about what microneedling can do for your face, hands, neck, chest, or almost any area where you’d like to address sagging, wrinkles, scars, or stretch marks, call today to schedule your consultation with our doctors.
How Does Microneedling Work?
How Do I Get Started with Microneedling?
If you have been considering a microneedling treatment and wish to finally achieve the look you desire, your next step is to us to schedule your initial consultation. Many patients are able to have a treatment that same day.
Your Consultation
Your consultation with our doctors is an excellent opportunity to have all your questions about microneedling, or Collagen Induction Therapy, answered. When you come in for your appointment with the doctor, share what improvements you hope to see in your skin, whether it be smoothing wrinkles, shrinking pores, erasing scars or stretch marks, or improving the texture and volume of the skin in general. Once they have a better sense of your goals, your lifestyle, and your current health profile, our skilled team will plan a microneedling treatment that is best for you.
If a patient might benefit from an alternate skin rejuvenation procedure, instead of microneedling, such as a facelift or eyelid surgery, the doctor will also discuss these options and their potential outcomes with them.
We will make sure you feel confident in the outcomes you can achieve with microneedling. Call the helpful staff at today to schedule your initial consultation.
Preparation
A microneedling procedure requires almost no preparation on the part of the patient— some patients in fact receive a microneedling treatment the same day as their consultation!
Light, breathable makeup may be worn after the procedure, with the doctor’s approval.
If possible, patients are advised to avoid sun exposure for 24 hours before their treatment, as well as to discontinue use of retinoids and autoimmune disease treatments in the day before they receive microneedling. It is also recommended that the patient’s skin be free of makeup when they arrive at our office for microneedling.
Your Treatment
Before a patient undergoes a microneedling treatment, they will have a topical numbing cream applied to their skin. This will enable the doctor to reach the fine, clustered needles to the depth of the dermis required to stimulate collagen and elastin growth, while promoting the healing and firming of the skin’s surface, and still guaranteeing the comfortable experience of the patient. Most microneedling sessions can be completed in under an hour, depending on the number of areas receiving treatment.
Microneedling usually requires more than one session to deliver a patient’s best results. While everyone’s skin is different, doctors recommend 3 to 6 microneedling treatments, spaced out over a 4-6 week period, for patients who want to see beautiful, long-lasting improvement to the texture and fullness of their skin.
Recovery
While every patient is different, most see their swelling and redness diminish within two days of their microneedling.
Patients are free to return to their usual activities immediately after receiving their microneedling treatment, but may also choose to take a day or two off until their post-procedure swelling and redness subsides. Patients should also wear sunscreen and avoid direct sunlight after their procedure. Swimming and strenuous activity should also be avoided in the week following a microneedling session.
Patients who wish to relieve any discomfort they experience should avoid using anti-inflammatory medications like Ibuprofen or Advil and instead turn to other over-the-counter pain relief options.
The treated skin may shed or dry after a microneedling treatment, once swelling and redness subside. Our doctors can recommend moisturizers that will best soothe your skin in this state; do not turn to just any moisturizer!
Unlike other ablative procedures, microneedling has the added benefit of a short recovery time, which is why so many patients have turned to it as their ideal skin rejuvenation solution!
Our staff will make sure patients feel ready to make their best, brief recovery, in order to enjoy their ideal results as soon as possible.
Results
Due to the fact that the success of microneedling comes from its stimulation of the components within the skin itself, it can take up to four weeks before patients see an improvement in their treated area(s). Complete, long-lasting results will likely take multiple microneedling treatments to achieve, but the results are consistent and long-lasting: patients report an improvement in their skin’s volume, tightness, and texture. With each additional microneedling treatment, patients will see fewer wrinkles, tighter pores, healed acne scars, and lighter to non-existent stretch marks.
Cost
The cost of a patient’s microneedling treatment will vary depending on the number of areas to be treated, as well as the overall number of times they anticipate receiving a microneedling treatment. After patients meet with their doctor, they will receive a breakdown of what their individualized treatment plan will cost.
To have any questions you may have about microneedling, or skin rejuvenation options in general, answered, reach out to our helpful team today to schedule your free consultation.
