The signs of aging and sun damage are virtually impossible to avoid. With targeted techniques like microneedling, the health and beauty of the skin can be maintained.
What Is Microneedling?
Microneedling is the modern take on dermal rolling. This professional treatment is a form of collagen induction therapy that is safe and effective for most adults. The treatment at our office in Houston typically takes 1 hour to complete. While the patient lies comfortably on the treatment table, a small handheld device is passed over pre-treated skin a total of three times to achieve the most significant effect.
How Does Microneedling Work?
Microneedling is a minimally-invasive method of collagen induction that rejuvenates the skin by creating thousands of tiny puncture wounds. The device makes microchannels at precise depths of the dermis based on the location of the face, neck, chest, or other areas. Seeing these tiny channels as wounds, the immune system stimulates increased collagen production to heal tissue, leading to an influx of chemicals and proteins that remodel the structure beneath the skin.
What Conditions Can Microneedling Improve?
These include:
- Sun damage
- Scars
- Dull complexion
- Rough skin texture
- Lines and wrinkles
- Stretch marks
- Mild skin laxity
What Areas Are Commonly Treated With Microneedling?
Microneedling is primarily performed on the face. However, the technique can be performed anywhere stretch marks have developed or on scar tissue virtually anywhere on the body. The gentleness of microneedling makes this technique an excellent remedy for aging hands and sun-damaged skin on the neck, chest, arms, and shoulders.
Before & After Microneedling
Does Microneedling Hurt?
The concept of having tiny needles inserted thousands of times into the skin sounds intimidating. Microneedling treatment is conducted only after a topical numbing medication has been applied and allowed to soak in for 30 to 45 minutes. This medication desensitizes nerve endings in superficial tissue so the sensation during treatment is much less intense than it would be otherwise. Patients may feel a slight tingling sensation and, in areas where fatty tissue is thin, mild pokes from the microneedles.
What Are The Side Effects of Microneedling?
Microneedling is an excellent treatment to add to a preventive skin care routine or to one that is focused on correcting the signs of aging. This is because the technique stimulates several improvements simultaneously by flooding tissue with collagen protein and elastin, the two vital substances that help skin cells regenerate in the healthiest way.
Is There Downtime After Treatment?
There is typically no reason to need downtime after microneedling treatment. However, new patients sometimes like to schedule their treatment at a time after which they can stay home for a day or two. This is because the skin may become slightly red from the needling itself and from the subsequent increase in circulation caused by treatment. There is usually no need for pain medication after microneedling, either. At most, patients may feel a mild burning sensation or tightness in the skin. These effects fade over 24 to 48 hours and, even when present, do not inhibit normal activities.
How Long Do the Microneedling Results Last?
A single microneedling treatment will increase circulation to the treated area for several days, leading to a beautiful glow during this time. After that, the skin may continue to subtly improve over 4 to 6 weeks as cells are repaired with collagen. For longer lasting results, it is suggested that patients undergo a series of treatments and periodic touch-ups several times a year to sustain optimal tissue rejuvenation.
What to Expect Immediately After One Treatment
After your microneedling treatment, you can expect for your skin to appear more radiant. The increased circulation through regenerating tissue supports a healthy glow for a week to 10 days, after which point the skin may also look and feel smoother thanks to the influx of collagen and elastin.
Schedule A Consultation
You don’t have to wonder about microneedling. Get the facts. Contact our Houston office at 713-988-8442 to schedule a visit with our friendly team.