Microneedling
Microneedling, also referred to as collagen induction therapy, is a minimally-invasive and nonsurgical skin rejuvenation treatment that reverses the appearance of acne scars, wrinkles and fine lines, sun damage, uneven pigmentation and more.
While the idea of using needles to treat your skin may seem intimidating, these gentle microneedles work to stimulate collagen and elastin production in your treatment areas by utilizing your body’s natural wound-healing response. In just a few short treatments, microneedling can refresh your complexion with skin that is more youthful, supple and even in tone and texture.
How Does Microneedling Work?
Microneedling works by encouraging your skin to produce more collagen— a pivotal protein that helps the skin maintain its structure and smooth texture. As the skin ages, its production of this protein and along with elastin begin to naturally decrease over time, causing fine lines, wrinkles and loose skin to occur.
Microneedling procedures use tiny pinpricks to create slight injury to the skin’s surface. Your skin responds to these micro-injuries by making new collagen-rich tissue that heals firmer and more even in tone and texture for a younger-looking and blemish-free complexion.
During your microneedling procedure, Dr. Vasisht may use a topical anesthetic to reduce any risk of discomfort. Very fine, short needles will be used to prick the skin on your designated treatment areas. These pricks are so small they will not be noticeable after your treatment. The microneedling portion of the procedure can be completed in as little 30 minutes depending on the size of your treatment areas.
Why Do We Need Microneedling?
As our bodies go through the natural aging process, our skin begins to experience degradation. Most noticeably, age affects the elasticity of our tissue structure as the proteins in our bodies, responsible for keeping skin taut, begin to lose production efficiency. Collagen is the most abundant of these proteins, and it is estimated that we lose 1% of its production every year after the age of 20.
But other factors are environmental, such as UV damage from the sun, free radical exposure and being exposed to other pollutants in the air. These factors can contribute to the declination of skin tightness, wrinkles and fine lines, but they can also cause uneven skin tone and texture.
Other causes of facial complexion concerns are simply genetic; acne, acne scars and even pore size are largely based on your genetics. And unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done to change your genetic makeup.
But this is where microneedling comes in. For most facial complexion issues, microneedling is a powerful universal tool. It can be used to treat any of the aforementioned conditions — a unique feat in the aesthetic market. Very few other nonsurgical treatments can contend with its results.
What Concerns Can Microneedling Treat?
Microneedling is a versatile anti-aging and rejuvenating treatment that can be beneficial to all skin types, textures and colors. After a series of treatments, microneedling can significantly reduce the appearance of some of the most common skin concerns and blemishes, such as:
- Acne scars and active acne
- Age spots or sun spots
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Large pores
- Reduced skin elasticity
- Uneven skin tone and texture
In addition to facial skin concerns, microneedling can also be an effective treatment for reducing the appearance of stretch marks on other areas of the body. While microneedling is an optimal solution for a wide range of skin types and concerns, patients who are pregnant or have skin diseases such as psoriasis or eczema may not be ideal candidates for the procedure.
How Can I Prepare for Microneedling?
As a noninvasive procedure, there is no extensive preparation you need to do in order to be ready for your microneedling treatment. Usually, all we ask is that you avoid excessive sun exposure and sunburns since it can reduce the efficacy of your treatment and cause more discomfort than necessary. The same goes for chemical peels and other treatments. Other than that, you don’t need to worry about much.
Am I a Candidate for a Microneedling?
If you are dealing with any of the conditions that microneedling can treat, then you are likely going to be a good candidate for this procedure. Microneedling works on any skin type or tone and very few medical conditions will prevent this from being a viable treatment for you.
As always, the only way to know for sure if you are a candidate or not is to schedule a consultation with our office. In the event that microneedling is not a good fit, we will make sure to find an alternative treatment that will achieve your aesthetic goals.
Recovery and Results
As a minimally-invasive cosmetic procedure, recovery time after microneedling is minimal for most patients. Virtually zero downtime is required after your procedure, and you may return to your normal daily activities almost immediately if you feel comfortable enough to do so. Treated skin may appear irritated or red for the first few days following your treatment, but this will dissipate within a few days.
After your microneedling treatment, your skin will work relatively quickly to begin rejuvenating new tissue and collagen. Most patients will start to notice the results of their procedure within a couple of weeks, with skin appearing smoother, firmer, and more radiant. To maintain the results of your microneedling, a series of about four spaced-out treatments are recommended, but Dr. Vasisht will work with you to create a custom treatment plan based on your individual goals and concerns.
Improve Your Complexion in Voorhees, NJ
If you are ready to discover what microneedling can do for your skin, give South Shore Plastic Surgery a call today at 856-322-8100. You can also fill out this online form to book your initial consultation or have a member of our team reach out to you at a more convenient time.
We know you need a partner you can trust through this process, and we are happy to be the team you need to get you feeling confident about your skin.