Microneedling

The aesthetician will apply a sterile, single-use needle cartridge to the SkinPen device, which is FDA-cleared for improving the appearance of facial acne scars and neck wrinkles and has been validated across all skin types and tones. The aesthetician will apply a sterile cartridge-tip with 12 micro-needles to a handheld device. The device will be pressed gently across the skin, gliding in one direction until the entire area has been treated. The feeling is comparable to sand paper moving over the skin. The procedure will result in tiny holes, known as micro channels, on the skin which will close almost immediately, triggering a healing response. This results in renewed skin, including a thickened dermis, which will soften the appearance of lines, wrinkles and scars. The procedure takes around 15-30 minutes.

A patient can expect the treated area to appear bright red, similar to a sunburn, immediately after microneedling. The redness can last anywhere from a day to up to a week. The intensity and duration of the redness are dependent upon the number of passes performed on the treatment area, as well as the particular area treated since microneedling can be performed on the face, neck, arms and décolleté. In some cases, there’s pinpoint bleeding. Since microneedling allows improved absorption of creams, gels and serums, a doctor will determine the best products for the patient post-procedure. These can include bleaching or lightening serums, vitamin C or hyaluronic serums to accelerate results.

Right after the procedure, patients can expect the skin to glow. Over the course of a few weeks, a patient can expect to see a marked improvement in skin’s color, tone and texture. In addition, there should be a drastic reduction of lines and wrinkles. Microneedling is also effective in diminishing acne and traumatic scars and stretch marks. A patient’s appearance can continue to improve up to 6 months following initial treatment. While some patients benefit from a single treatment, 2-3 treatments are advised to get the best possible results. A doctor will work closely with a patient to develop the right course of treatment based on his or her individual needs.