Younger-looking and satin-smooth skin – this is something everyone, irrespective of their age and gender want. People spend a lot of money on procedures trying to fix skin issues and look beautiful. Among these effective procedures is microneedling, and if you are planning to get this procedure done, here’s everything you need to know.

First Things First: What Is Microneedling?

Microneedling is referred to as collagen induction therapy” in the skincare world, and the procedure is done to encourage the production of collagen so that the skin looks more youthful and plumper. It is a cosmetic procedure that involves pricking the skin with tiny needles to create small wounds. The wounds created will cause your body to produce more collagen and elastin, which makes your skin look younger.

Benefits of microneedling for the skin

  • Acne
  • scars
  • Hair loss (also called alopecia)
  • Stretch marks
  • Dark spots or patches on your skin (hyperpigmentation)
  • Fine lines and wrinkles
  • Sun damage

Microneedling: Preparing for and Recovering From the Treatment

There is no special way to prepare for microneedling, but you need to take some precautions. You should talk to your doctor if you are taking blood thinners because they can increase bleeding after microneedling. Also, if you are prone to cold sores, your aesthetician might give you an antibiotic to prevent an outbreak. 

Microneedling: What to Expect

Firstly, if you are scared of needles, you may want to stay away from microneedling. However, if you’re raring to go for the procedure, there are a few things to expect before booking your appointment with your aesthetician.

Most importantly: Microneedling shouldn’t cause pain. Your aesthetician will apply a topical numbing cream on to your skin, so you shouldn’t feel much discomfort while the procedure is going on. If it is your first trying microneedling, you experience mild redness and maybe a raw feeling for a day. After that, your skin will be slightly pink for one or two days, then you will start seeing the benefits of microneedling – your skin will be smoother and it will glow. 

Immediately after your microneedling procedure, your skincare routine should change slightly. You should use a broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen with an SPF of 25 or greater to protect your newly treated skin. Following the treatment, cleanse your skin with tepid water and dry it. Do this for a few days. Your doctor might recommend certain serums or creams to apply on the skin. Stop the use of makeup for a few days after. Give your skin time to recover. 

Lastly, microneedling takes up to thirty minutes, and depending on your unique treatment, the procedure doesn’t need to be repeated for some time. Milder treatments of microneedling may be repeated every two to four weeks, while deeper treatments such as scar treatments might be repeated every four to six weeks. You should discuss with your derm to know how many treatments you need. 

Microneedling: Who shouldn’t go for it?

Microneedling procedure is a safe and effective skin treatment. This procedure, however, is not recommended for people who take or have had a radiation in the past year, people who are pregnant, people who have a skin disease, and people who have a history of scarring and poor wound healing. People who have active infections or open wounds will have to wait until their skin heals before going for microneedling

There are also some microneedling downsides to keep in mind:

Microneedling Healing time. With this procedure, it may take days or weeks for your skin to heal. This depends on how deep the needles used to pierce your skin.

Pain and redness. After the procedure is done on your skin, you may experience some minor pain. Your skin may be red for a couple of days. Your skin may also feel tight and flake a bit as it heals.

Microneedling At Home: Should You Try It?

You may not be willing to pay $100 or more for a microneedling treatment at the spa or skin clinic and decide to try DIY micronedling. There are tons of products that are designed to allow you to do it yourself at home. These DIY dermarollers can be gotten at skincare stores for about $30 – $200. However, you shouldn’t expect the same result a micronedling procedure by an expert will give from the DIY products. These devices have shallower needles, so they have limited ability to stimulate collagen production. These needles are typically less than 0.15 millimeters long, while the ones experts use range from 0.5 to 2 mm long. 

The DIY micronedling tools have their benefits though. They are cheaper, they exfoliate, and they help skincare products you apply afterward penetrate deeper into your skin. 

The bottom line on microneedling

Microneedling is great for those who have skin issues or just want their skin to look better and younger. However, not everyone is a candidate for the procedure, and if you fall into this category, you can try other procedures that will work for you. 

If you have any questions or would like to schedule free consultation with a licensed Aesthetician, call The Beauty Obsession Salon and SPA at 718.975.3773. We are in Brooklyn NY. The address is 360 Neptune Ave.