Microneedling
Discover the Benefits of Microneedling at Tru-Skin Dermatology in Austin, TX
SkinPen by Crown Aesthetics is the first FDA-cleared microneedling device to treat facial acne scars for ages 22 and up. Microneedling has actually been in use since 1995 but has greatly evolved and grown increasingly popular in the last few years. You may have seen personal dermal rollers in magazines and beauty blogs, which are handheld rollers with tiny needles on them. These cause minimal improvement when used, as the needles only slightly penetrate the skin. They also don’t penetrate straight down, as the rolling action causes the needles to go into the skin at an angle, risking tears in the skin.
The SkinPen medical microneedling device penetrates much deeper to cause uniform micro-wounds in the epidermal and dermal layers, depending on the selection of needle length. The disposable cartridge of tiny sterile needles penetrates quickly at a vertical angle to create small holes, or micro-channels, in the skin while minimizing cellular damage. This action kick-starts your skin’s natural healing process by producing new collagen, which improves the look of fine lines, wrinkles, scarring, texture, stretch marks, and overall rejuvenation of the skin.
The surface of your skin will appear smoother, more even-toned, and polished over time. This treatment is safe to do on a regular basis as part of an overall maintenance program for healthier, glowing skin. A series of treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart is recommended, as new collagen production is a gradual process, and your results will continue to improve even after your treatment is done.
Microneedling Examples
Who Can Benefit From Microneedling?
- Ideal for both men and women seeking skin rejuvenation
- Effective for all skin types
- Improves signs of aging, acne scarring, melasma, dull skin, large pores, and stretch marks
- Achieves glowing skin through a series of treatments
Who Is Not a Good Candidate for Microneedling?
- Not suitable for pregnant or nursing individuals
- Thin or extremely sensitive skin due to age or medications may not be suitable
- Recent use of isotretinoin (Accutane) within the past 12 months
- History of keloid scarring
- Prone to cold sores (antiviral medication recommended prior to treatment)
- Those with melasma, severe acne scarring, or advanced signs of aging may require multiple treatments
What Should I Expect During My Microneedling Treatment?
After all traces of numbing cream have been removed and your skin is thoroughly cleansed, your technician will apply the Skinfuse® Lift HG and begin your SkinPen treatment. Although this procedure is very tolerable, you may at times feel some slight discomfort as the SkinPen glides over your skin, especially over more bony prominent areas such as the forehead, nose, or jawline.
The treatment itself is fairly quick, so any discomfort doesn’t last too long. Your technician will monitor your skin and ask for feedback and can adjust the needle length if necessary. After all areas have been treated, your skin will be lightly wiped down, and additional Skinfuse® Lift HG will be applied before you leave. You will need to avoid direct sun exposure immediately and for the next few days after your SkinPen® treatment.
How Do I Prepare for My Microneedling Treatment?
Prolonged sun exposure should be avoided for a minimum of 1 week before and 3 weeks after your treatment. In addition, do not wax 1 week before or after your appointment, as this can remove a layer of skin cells and increase your chance of adverse reactions. Please arrive with minimal or no makeup. If you have an active cold sore, your appointment will need to be rescheduled until it is completely resolved. Contact lenses should be removed prior to your visit.
How Do I Care for My Skin After a Microneedling Treatment?
Your skin may feel a little rough to the touch and dry. A gentle cleanser and hydrating serum or mild moisturizer are recommended to ensure that you don’t cause additional dryness or irritation as your skin is healing and repairing itself. Any issues such as scabbing or blistering after your treatment should be reported to our office immediately. It is extremely important to not pick at or peel off any skin that is starting to flake or peel, as tempting as that is.
If the skin underneath is not entirely healed, you can risk causing a raw area that could take longer to heal, become infected, or leave a dark spot that can take time to resolve. Facial brushes and scrubs to remove peeling skin are a no-no as well, as they can cause irritation and interfere with the healing process.
And remember, broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher must be worn daily, and excessive sun exposure is discouraged during your series of treatments. This will ensure you are protecting the investment you are making in your skin, and to help discourage the formation of more sun damage and discoloration in your skin.
FAQs for Microneedling
Most patients will experience some mild to moderate redness that may last for the rest of the day. If you are fair-skinned, redness will be more apparent but should begin to fade as the day goes on. Some pinpoint bleeding is normal, and it is not unusual to see visible lines or tracking marks on your skin for the first couple of days. Also, you may experience discomforts such as dryness, itching, burning, and tightness similar to a sunburn, but these can be relieved with the application of soothing hydrating serums and moisturizers and by avoiding excessive exercise or exposure to heat, as that may make your skin sting and feel uncomfortable. You may experience some acne breakouts in the days following your treatment, as the skin cells begin to turn over and congestion is purged from your skin. It is very important that you do not pick at your skin and use only plain, gentle cleansers and moisturizers for a few days after your treatment so that your skin can heal properly. Most of these after-effects resolve within a few days, but please contact our office if they do not. A broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher is required daily between appointments to protect your skin, as treated areas will be more sensitive to the sun.
Microneedling with SkinPen® can be alternated with other treatments including facials, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, dermaplaning, Laser Genesis, and IPL Photofacial, and can be part of a facial rejuvenation plan including injectables such as Botox or Dysport, and facial fillers like Juvéderm or Restylane. Let the team here at Tru-Skin Dermatology help you formulate a treatment plan to put your best face forward!
SkinPen® microneedling treatments can be performed initially in a series as often as 4-6 weeks apart, depending on how quickly your skin recovers. Most patients have a series of 3 or more performed every 4-6 weeks, to begin with, as some skin conditions such as acne scarring or stretch marks require multiple treatments for improvement. You may also want to continue with treatments once every 3-6 months as part of a maintenance regimen. Your technician can help determine what course of treatment is best for your individual needs. Results may be cumulative and take time, and you will notice increased improvement with each treatment.
Depending on the areas being treated, most sessions take about an hour with numbing included.
We offer three different types of SkinPen® microneedling treatments for our patients. This allows us to customize treatments specifically for our patients and their individual skin types and needs. There is the basic microneedling treatment with Skinfuse® Lift HG; the SkinPen® Plus treatment that includes a soothing, hydrating mask for aftercare; and the SkinPen® with PRP treatment, which involves using the patient’s own platelet-rich plasma to enhance results. We here at Tru-Skin Dermatology are ready to customize your procedure plan for optimal results.
Downtime can vary between different patients and skin types. Generally, the fairer and more sensitive a person’s skin is, the more visible redness that person may have compared to a person with darker skin tone. Redness will usually resolve later that same day, but it is not unusual to still be red or have visible evidence of your treatment in more sensitive areas for the next day or so. Your skin will most likely feel as if you have a sunburn for a day or two as well and be more sensitive. Most patients will have some slight roughness to their skin and light peeling within a couple of days, but it is usually very minimal and not noticeable. This can be reduced with the use of hydrating serums and moisturizers.
Depending on the person and the skin conditions being treated, results usually last anywhere between 3-6 months but may last longer in some cases. For the best results in retaining the benefits of microneedling treatments, daily sun protection, and the use of medical-grade skincare products are recommended. Tru-Skin Dermatology can help you set up a customized skincare regimen to target your individual needs. We carry several lines of professional products to help you achieve your best skin possible. Call us today to start your journey to healthier-looking skin!
Watch: Aesthetics & Facials at Tru-Skin Dermatology
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