Micro Needling
Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, is a non-invasive, effective procedure that relies on tiny sterilized needles to make safe yet controlled microscopic wounds within the skin. By creating minor injuries in the upper layers of the skin, the body’s natural healing process is stimulated, which leads to the production of collagen and elastin for smoother, firmer, younger-looking skin with improved texture. The treatment can address various skin concerns, including acne scars, enlarged pores, fine lines and wrinkles, skin discoloration, and a loss of firmness, and works well on multiple body parts.
Several different machines and devices can be used during a microneedling treatment. Some use handheld pens to make microscopic wounds in the skin, while others use small wand-like tools. There are also larger format handpieces and others that roll across the skin. The depth of how far the needle punctures the skin dictates what layer of skin the procedure can reach. Therefore, the deeper the needle goes, the lower within the skin it gets for maximum results. At Kyur Aesthetics, we use the Procell Microneedling machine to help stimulate new collagen and improve the skin.
Some patients opt to pair microneedling with PRP (platelet-rich plasma), which uses platelets from the patient’s blood. First, the blood is drawn, the platelets are separated, and after the microneedling portion of the treatment is complete, the PRP serum is applied directly to the face. PRP facials, also known as the vampire facial, help make the treatment more productive and the results more dramatic while speeding up the healing process.
Whether you do microneedling on its own or pair it with PRP, the treatment is easy and convenient and takes about 30 minutes to perform. Most patients require multiple treatments to reach their skincare goals, but a consultation can determine the best course of treatment for you.
Best of all, there’s minimal downtime and no recovery with the treatment. So while the skin may be slightly red or dry post-treatment, you’ll still be able to go about your routine.
Microneedling Service Options
...with PRP
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) also enhances the effectiveness of microneedling. Sometimes referred to as the Vampire Facial, PRP with microneedling can give a natural glowiness to the skin, help improve skin tone, and soften the look of enlarged pores, wrinkles, fine lines, and sunspots. This combination approach can also be used to mitigate the effects of thinning hair and hair loss.
All dermal fillers are injected under the skin with a needle or a cannula (it’s up to the injector to choose which method). All fillers contain lidocaine so that the area instantly becomes numb as soon as the first needle prick is made. Still, many patients double up on topical numbing cream before their injections to make the treatment as comfortable as possible. The entire injection process is quick and can be completed in 30 minutes or less with instant results. You’ll be able to see restored volume and smoothed-out lines and wrinkles by the time you leave your appointment.
...with HA (Hyaluronic Acid)
Microneedling treatments that incorporate hyaluronic acid into them help to soften the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and folds. The moisturizing ingredient can also help diminish the appearance of scars and thicken the dermal layer of the skin. Plus, microneedling treatments that infuse the skin with hyaluronic acid help aid hydration so that dry skin is no longer an issue.
...with Stem Cells
The addition of stem cells to a microneedling treatment floods the skin with growth factors and cytokines (naturally found within stem cells) to heal the skin. Data shows that using stem cells in conjunction with microneedling results in improved remodeling of both collagen and elastin within the skin.
How it works?
Although it may sound somewhat scary, microneedling is a safe and effective treatment that patients love. The skin is first numbed with a topical numbing cream to alleviate potential discomfort. Then, the handpiece is held up to the skin, and the needles quickly penetrate the skin to make pinpoint injuries within the skin. These tiny, sterile needles are inserted rapidly into the skin, which feels akin to a pinprick. However, the epidermal layer of the skin is not damaged or destroyed during a microneedling treatment.
Once the treatment is complete, the micro-injuries left behind will (they can result in pinpoint bleeding from where the needles were inserted) stimulate a cascade of skin-repairing functions over the coming days and weeks. The skin will begin to release natural growth facts and trigger the natural wound healing process, which leads to new blood cells, collagen, and elastin. As a result of the healing process, the skin’s texture will begin to improve, and its natural plumpness and elasticity will return. Its tone will also improve, causing dark spots and discoloration to lighten.
The results are further enhanced when PRP is layered on a microneedling treatment. The combination of PRP, which uses platelets from your blood, isolates these platelets and growth factors to jumpstart the skin’s natural healing process. Some patients feel an initial tightening after a PRP microneedling treatment, which signals the skin is beginning to rebuild itself.
It’s important to know that the results of microneedling are cumulative. While some patients may notice improvement after the first treatment, most require a series of microneedling sessions to see a dramatic change in the skin. The treatment doesn’t come with any significant social downtime, and it can leave the skin slightly red, dry, and flaky, so make sure to plan your appointments accordingly. Some patients may see tiny, temporary marks on the skin after the procedure, which will resolve quickly.
Most patients choose to have microneedling treatments on their faces, but the procedure works well on the body. For example, if stretch marks on the thighs, stomach, or butt are a concern, the treatment can be performed on these areas to improve the skin’s texture and the coloration of the marks. In addition, other body parts that bear signs of scarring, be it from trauma or acne, tend to respond well to microneedling.
Who is it good for?
Plenty of skin types and tones benefit from the results of microneedling. If you want to improve the look and health of your skin while improving collagen levels, then microneedling may be right for you. The procedure is also favored by those who want to improve:
Acne scars & other minor scars
Fine lines
Uneven skin texture and tone
Mild wrinkling
Skin Laxity
Enlarged Pores
Stretch Marks
Discoloration
Building Collagen
Microneedling is also ideal for all skin tones—even those with darker skin—because, like a laser, there is no heat or energy delivered deep within the skin, which can potentially cause pigmentation.
Results
Immediately after microneedling, the skin will appear somewhat plumper and with a natural glow to it, but there may also be some redness and pinpoint bleeding, which quickly goes away. The short-term benefits of microneedling, like an instant radiance to the skin and some minor swelling, get patients excited about the long-term gains of the treatment, which include increased collagen for a natural firmness and increased elasticity, which gives the skin more resiliency. Other results, like improved skin tone and texture and a smoothing effect on the skin, are also noticeable.
It’s important to understand that only some see immediate results with one treatment, which is why a series is often recommended. During your consultation with our team, we will discuss your skin goals to determine how many microneedling sessions are best. The more severe the skin issue, the more treatments are needed.
On average, the results of microneedling can be seen about four to six weeks after each treatment, which is about how long it takes for new collagen to be created within the skin. The results last three to six months, but annual maintenance treatments will help maintain the results.