What is Micro Needling and How does it work?
Why we recommend Micro Needling
“The results can be life changing!”, enthuses Kylie, registered nurse and skin therapist at Your Skin and Laser Clinic.
You may have heard about micro needling, otherwise known as Collagen Induction Therapy. But you may not know about all of its benefits. You may have also heard about derma-rolling and in-home micro needling treatments. But they are not the same and the results can be very different indeed!
Here we discuss with Kylie why she thinks her Dermapen micro needling treatment is such a great treatment for so many skin issues. And how to stay clear of other ineffective skin treatments.
What is Micro Needling?
Kylie gently uses a handheld device (a Dermapen) fitted with a single-use cartridge which has 16 fine micro needles that create micro-injuries on the skin. This minimally-invasive treatment creates micro-channels on the topmost layer of the skin which stimulates the production of collagen and elastin. In turn leaving the skin feeling rejuvenated, smooth and blemish free.
“Although some results can be seen after a week or two, the best results really happen after a course of sessions over a few weeks or months depending on what we are targeting. Clients always say that it’s so worth the wait”, says Kylie.
What are the benefits of micro needling? It’s difficult to believe how using something so small on your skin can have such a big impact on the way it looks and feels. The treatment is also called Collagen Induction Therapy because it stimulates collagen production. Collagen is a protein that keeps your skin strong. Unfortunately the production of this youth-promoting protein naturally decreases with age, which can lead to visible lines and wrinkles.
Benefits include:
- Reduction of lines and wrinkles: By improving collagen production, micro needling restores your skin’s strength, elasticity and firmness.
- Helps fade scars: Scars, especially acne scars, can have a long lasting effect on self-esteem and self-confidence. Micro needling may be the solution you’ve been looking for, even for surgical scarring.
- Improves skin tone and texture: The NZ sun is strong! It can accelerate the breakdown of collagen, and can cause areas of hyper-pigmentation (sunspots) on your face and hands. Micro needling helps break up hyper pigmented skin and improves cell turnover to give you a more even complexion.
For a full list of treatment benefits read more about skin concerns here. https://yourskinandlaser.co.nz/ pages/micro-needling)
What is the Micro Needling treatment process?
On arrival Kyle will ask you to complete a Skin Rejuvenation Consultation form. This helps collect necessary information about your skin, medical history, current home care products and treatments you have recently had. In a private treatment room, she will go over your consultation form and make sure your skin is suitable for treatment.
Kylie explains that she will guide you through the need to-know information regarding your treatment. This is an opportunity for you to discuss any questions or concerns that you may have.
“We create an individualized treatment plan and explain pre and post-treatment care.” During your consultation she will also recommend any products you may need to start using prior to your treatment to ensure your skin is well prepped and to reduce the possibility of any adverse reactions.
Is Micro Needling suitable for me?
In some cases micro needling may not be a suitable treatment option, for example if you have rosacea or severe active acne the treatment can irritate. Sometimes Laser Genesis may be a better option. Your Skin and Laser Clinic also offers this service.
Click here to find out if microneedling is suitable for you or if Laser Genesis is right for you.
What does Micro Needling feel like?
“Don’t worry, it’s nothing like a tattoo!” reassures Kylie. “It’s similar to light sandpaper moving across the skin.”
The rapid speed of the needles penetrating the skin reduces discomfort and the addition of applied hyaluronic serum also makes the treatment more tolerable.
“We want you to be as comfortable as possible, and the results are worth any initial discomfort.”
What does post-treatment Micro Needling feel like?
Directly after your treatment, most people will experience redness and possibly some swelling, the same way you may feel with a mild sunburn. Effects may last for 24 to 48 hours. Within several days to several weeks, you will notice a smoother, brighter, and more radiant appearance. However, the full effects of the treatment are more noticeable after a course of sessions.
A few days following your treatment your skin may feel dry and tight—which is normal. Hydrating products like hyaluronic acid, and protecting the skin with zinc based sunblock can help. The use of mineral makeup may be used after the procedure too. Kylie will recommend suitable products to apply post treatment at the time of your consultation.
Click here to find out more about the Cosmeceutical strength product range we recommend.
Can at-home micro needling give the same results as in-clinic procedures?
“In short - No!”, warns Kylie, who has many years of training and experience to draw on. Home treatment (often called derma-rolling) can’t rejuvenate the skin, or soften the look of scarring, or reduce pigmentation, or produce tighter fresher skin in the same way that clinical micro needling can.
Some in-home needling can bring about unwanted results too. “Unfortunately I have seen clients who have inadvertently scratched up the surface of their skin with over-enthusiastic needling.” warns Kylie. “Instead, come and chat to me before you spend your money on something that really isn’t going to make any positive improvements to your skin.”
That’s because home needling devices have very short needles and these needles aren’t long enough to create that wound-healing response in the skin. So, size matters! The size of needle in the derma roller is usually 1 to 1.5mm. A professional micro needling device allows skin penetration up to 2.5 mm, and this can be tailored to your individual areas of concerns and skin issues. What short needles can do, though, is create enough tiny punctures in your skin to allow skincare products to get a bit deeper in than they otherwise would. But that’s not going to have the same longer-term results.
Where can I get treatment?
Your Skin and Laser, is at 18 Raumati Road, Raumati Beach (30 mins from Wellington CBD. We'll be happy to chat and discuss your needs.
“The most common comment I get from clients is that they wish they had done it sooner. I love my job, especially when I can see the difference I can make to someone’s self-confidence.”