Naturally, people seek to achieve the perfect skin. But what really is skin perfection? Most would agree with the notion that a clearly glowing, smooth, toned and firm skin would be perfect! Enter Microneedling skin procedure, which is a cosmetic skin rejuvenation procedure that is used to treat different kinds of skin conditions and concerns, and the skin would come close to being perfect, if not completely perfect.
Microneedling treats skin concerns such as:
- Acne that has caused scarring
- Stretch marks
- Pores or uneven skin tone
- Wrinkles and fine lines due to aging
- Sunspots
- Skin pigmentation
How Microneedling Works
Microneedling uses a device with a set of micro sterilized needles that that cause micro-injuries to the skin which as result allows the body to produce more collagen and elastin. And as the skin heals from the supposed trauma caused to it, it leads to a tighter firmer outlook, which makes it look youthful. However, Microneedling is not a hasty remedy for a youthful skin as the skin needs to grow on its own, and this can take a few months before the results are fully visible.
The procedure
Before the procedure, the target area, mostly the face, is cleansed of all impurities. A numbing cream is then applied 30 before the treatment to reduce the discomfort the needle pricks might cause. The doctor then makes small pricks under the skin using a pen-shaped tool, mostly Dermapen, that has needles. The pen-shaped tool is moved equally around the skin and makes small cuts which may cause slight bleeding. Some serum is then applied to the treated area to calm this irritation.
The goal of Microneedling is to encourage the curative process by directing collagen and elastin to cover up the injuries. This procedure can be done on the face, stomach and/or thighs.
The treatment duration will depend on the size of the area being treated and will take approximately 10-20 minutes. A repeat of the treatment is required, which ranges from four to six sessions depending on the skin condition, in order to see optimal results.
Pre-procedure Guidelines for Microneedling
Microneedling treatment should be performed by a registered and well-trained doctor, plastic surgeon or dermatologist, for the purpose of safety and excellence in the procedure. The doctor will give you a consultation, assess your skin condition and then advice on how many sessions are required to bring about a positive and visible outcome.
For the best outcome, a skin care treatment that removes dead skin cells and debri from the upper layer of the skin is also recommended. This can be done on the same day of the procedure at the clinic.
Benefits of Microneedling Treatment
- Reduces scarring, stretch marks and minimizes wrinkles and fine lines
- By puncturing the dermis and epidermis, it results in skin renewal, replacing old skin cells with new ones
- The skin is tightened
- This skin rejuvenation technique has no down time as the patient can get back to his or her routine immediately after the treatment
What Are the Side Effects of Dermapen?
Microneedling is an effective and fairly safe method of skin treatment and rejuvenation that has little or no down time. The side effects of the procedure include:
- Skin irritation and discomfort at the treated area
- Redness
- Bruising
- Swelling
How is the Recovery Process After a Microneedling Procedure?
The healing process of Microneedling may take up to 48 hours depending on how intense the procedure was. There is no bleeding that occurs, but deep procedures may result in bruising and bleeding. The skin will turn red and you may feel a certain degree of discomfort for the first 1-2 days after the treatment. Your skin may peel slightly as it tightens while healing.
Post Procedure Guidelines After Microneedling Treatment
- Do not wash the face or apply any products, as the skin should remain dry for 6 hours after the treatment
- Avoid stimulating medications such as glycolic acid or vitamin A for up to 7 days
- A hyaluronic serum is recommended after 6 hours treatment to hydrate the skin
- 48 hours after the treatment you are recommended to apply another copper peptide serum to reduce inflammation and enhance healing process
- Direct sunlight should be avoided for approximately a week after the treatment and one can apply sunscreen if you want to go out
Who is the Ideal Candidate Microneedling?
Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure thus considered to be a very suitable treatment as it has no severe side effects, hence it can be done on virtually anyone with the aforementioned skin concerns. Patients who are under acne medication should seek advice from the doctor before undergoing the treatment.
What is the Cost for Microneedling?
Microneedling procedure cost varies, and depends on the device being used, size of the area being treated, the number of issues to be solved, the number of recommended treatment sessions, and the qualification of the doctor as well as his/her experience.
Home Microneedling Devices
There are devices that are readily available for Microneedling use at home. They are not designed like the ones used by medical professionals as the micro-needles are more or less blunt, which makes the procedure less painful and comfortable because the needles do not penetrate the skin deeply. The blood flow will increase by use of this home Microneedling device resulting into temporary skin radiance.
However, the procedure is not as effective as the one performed by a medical professional. The micro-injuries made during the professional Microneedling procedure are meant to prompt skin rejuvenation.
The home Microneedling device is not easily cleaned, and this can cause a higher risk of infection due to the recurring extracts that tend to remain on the device.
Next Step
At Aesthetics by Kings College Hospital Dubai, we have the leading plastic surgeons and dermatologists in the region who are German, UK and European-trained and board-certified and focus on the safety and care of every patient in a compassionate environment with state-of-the-art facilities. To book a consultation, get in touch using the contact details given, and one of our patient-care staff will book an appointment for you.