Microneedling: What Is It, | Risks, Results, Options and Cost

Introduction

More and more people want to improve the skin of the face without going through an aesthetic operation. Luckily, currently, there are minimally invasive treatments such as micro-needling that allow, in a few sessions, to improve the appearance and texture of the skin without pain, at a much more affordable price than surgery and with practically immediate results.

What is micro-needling?

Also known as collagen induction therapy or derma rolling, it is a minimally invasive treatment in which, through a roller with needles or a device specially designed for this purpose, perforations are created in the skin. In this way, the skin is renewed as the body begins a process of healing these wounds and also facilitates the subsequent entry and penetration of dermal products.

With this technique it is possible to stimulate the induction of collagen and therefore, the skin will regenerate and will be more hydrated, soft, and smooth. Microneedling can be performed on the face, décolleté, neck, and even the scalp as it is also used together with Platelet Rich Plasma to promote hair regeneration.

Benefits of micro-needling

The benefits both on the skin of the face or body and in the capillary area are multiple since elastin and collagen are produced:

• Improve skin aging and facial sagging
• Fight acne scars and marks
• Remove stains
• Improve stretch marks
• Reduce redness, large pores, and spider veins
• Fight acne breakouts
• Unify the skin tone and improve its texture
• Better absorb facial products
• Stop hair loss

Who can have the treatment?

Microneedling can be done by women and men of all ages. According to Dr. Granado Tiagonce, it is the ideal treatment for patients who do not wish to enter the operating room or who are not yet candidates for facial rejuvenation surgery. With the treatment, the skin will be more luminous and hydrated and it is ideal for people with shallow wrinkles, stretch marks, scars, and acne marks.

It must be taken into account that the treatment is contraindicated for:

• People who are prone to forming keloid scars
• Patients undergoing acne treatment with Accutane
• Patients with facial infections such as herpes

Which doctor to go to?

Microneedling should be done by a dermatologist or cosmetician. These professionals usually use needles that reach 2.5 millimeters. Therefore, the effects on the skin will be more visible.

Currently, some devices are to be used at home but the needles are usually 0.5 millimeters and if not done correctly, it can irritate the skin or be counterproductive since hygienic conditions are not guaranteed.

As always, from Multiestetica we recommend that you go to a certified professional, with experience and who is specialized in this type of treatment.

What happens during the first consultation?

In the first consultation, the professional will evaluate the patient’s skin to see what it is like and what needs it has. In this way, you can see if micro-needling is the most appropriate solution for each case and the approximate sessions that would be necessary. For example, in patients with acne marks, more sessions may be necessary.

The professional will explain how the procedure is performed and the care to follow once it is finished. They will also ask about the patient’s medical history and make a detailed estimate.

The patient must solve all his doubts, if necessary he can ask the doctor for before and after photos of other patients to see the results achieved.

What is the microneedling procedure?

In the consultation and with the skin of the face completely clean and without any makeup, the professional will begin to slide the device all over the face and especially, in the areas where they present problems. After the treatment, a mask with active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or vitamin B5 is usually applied to soothe the skin and enhance the results and effects of these products. Therefore, after this mask, the skin absorbs the active ingredients, multiplying the result of the treatment.

According to Dr. Granado Tiagonce, micro-needling is a painless treatment so it is not necessary to apply anesthesia. Generally, the sessions last about 30 minutes and it is good to complement it with a session of photodynamic therapy since they enhance the effect of the products introduced into the dermis.

In some cases, the application of an anesthetic cream may be necessary if the doctor sees it necessary so that the patient is more comfortable during the treatment and does not notice anything.

says that typically, about 5 micro-needling sessions are needed and it is convenient to pass at least 15 days apart so that the skin recovers and is ready for treatment.

The post-treatment

When leaving the consultation it is completely normal for the skin to be red and for the patient to feel a sensation of heat. It is ideal not to apply makeup afterward so that the skin can breathe and recover from the process to which it has been subjected. The professional may recommend applying a specific cream after the treatment.

It is usually beneficial to eat foods that help to produce collagen, such as bananas or oranges. It is also recommended that the following days you apply both moisturizer and sun protection factor.

Dr. Granado Tiagonce comments that if the patient appreciates small points of blood after the session, he should not panic as it is completely normal due to the needles and it is temporary. In any case, you will not notice painful or annoying sensations.

Results

Generally, the results are visible from the first session and start to look more after about 2-3 weeks. It must be taken into account that the results of micro-needling are cumulative and will be enhanced after the sessions agreed upon with the professional.

After microneedling the skin will be smoother, hydrated, and soft. In patients with acne, scars, or hyperpigmentation, the skin will be much more uniform and smooth.

Risks and complications

For the micro-needling, complications are not usually Comune s, anyway, we recommend you always go to a specialized center and qualified for realizing this type of treatment because otherwise there is a risk of skin infections or leave perforation marks.

The skin may be reddened and the patient may notice a sensation of heat for hours after the treatment, but in no case should it be painful or unbearable.

Frequent questions

• Can I have a microneedling session if I have applied hyaluronic acid? “You can do the session without any problem, this does not affect the hyaluronic filler that you have applied at all. On the contrary, it optimizes the results of easy rejuvenation since it improves the quality and appearance of the skin ”,
• What is the price of micro-needling? “The price of this type of treatment varies a lot between cities, and even within the same city, from one clinic to another. My advice is that first of all you find out what type of Microneedling they practice in the center since the Dermapen is not the same as the Dermaroller, the first being much more recommended for not being painful, being less aggressive with the skin, and infinitely more effective ”,
• Are the holes made in the skin closed? “Yes, after about 60-90 minutes of the treatment they close automatically since the union of the keratinocytes and the basement membrane is restored thanks to the synthesis of laminin and collagen”,
• Can microneedling be done if there is an active acne breakout? “It depends on each patient but generally if it is very abundant it is better to wait for it to decrease”,
• Can it be done on sensitive skin? “Microneedling is a very safe treatment for all skin types, even the most sensitive”,