It's one of the most rejuvenating treatments available, so let's delve into why it's so popular.
Written by Dr Alison Colville, advanced aesthetics doctor & founder of The Avery Clinic, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire.
If you've been searching for a solution to rejuvenate your complexion and reclaim your youthful glow, you're in for a treat with medical microneedling.
What is microneedling?
Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, is a procedure where we use tiny needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin's surface layer. While the concept may sound intimidating at first, this minimally invasive technique is remarkably safe and effective.
But here's where the magic happens: in response to these micro-injuries, the body's natural healing mechanisms kick into high gear. Collagen and elastin—the building blocks of healthy, youthful skin—are produced in abundance, resulting in improvements in skin texture, tone, and overall appearance.
As part of the procedure we add medical-grade serums/treatments which can penetrate to the deeper layers of the skin through these tiny channels created by the needles giving you a more intense result.
What are the benefits of microneedling?
Let's explore some of the key benefits of microneedling in greater detail:
1.    Enhanced Collagen Production: Collagen is the scaffolding that supports the skin, providing it with strength and elasticity. As we age, collagen production naturally declines, leading to the formation of wrinkles and sagging skin. Microneedling jumpstarts collagen synthesis, helping to restore firmness and resilience to the skin.
2.    Diminished Fine Lines and Wrinkles: By stimulating collagen production and promoting cell turnover, this treatment can significantly reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and crow's feet, leaving you with a smoother, more youthful complexion.
3.    Improved Skin Texture: Whether you're dealing with acne scars, enlarged pores, or rough patches, microneedling can help refine your skin's texture and tone. The controlled micro-injuries created during treatment encourage the skin to regenerate, resulting in a smoother, more even surface.
4.    Boosted Product Absorption: Have you ever felt like your skincare products aren't fully penetrating your skin? Microneedling creates tiny channels in the skin, allowing for better absorption of serums, moisturizers, and other skincare essentials. This means you'll get more mileage out of your products and enjoy enhanced results.
5.    Natural Radiance: There's nothing quite like the glow of healthy, radiant skin. Microneedling promotes circulation and blood flow to the treated areas, giving your complexion a luminous boost from within.
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How long does it take to see results from microneedling?
While individual experiences may vary, many patients notice an improvement in their skin's texture and tone after just one session. However, for optimal results, I recommend a course of 3-6 sessions, 4-6 weeks apart. Over time, you'll witness a gradual transformation, with fine lines, wrinkles, and imperfections becoming less noticeable, and your skin appearing firmer, smoother, and more radiant.
How long does a microneedling session take?Â
Prior to the treatment, you should be offered a consultation to plan out your treatment and the medical serums that would be best for you. The duration of a microneedling session itself then typically ranges from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the size of the treatment area and the specific concerns being addressed.
Is there any downtime after microneedling?Â
While downtime is minimal compared to more invasive procedures, there may be some temporary side effects following microneedling, such as redness, swelling, and mild bruising. These typically resolve within a few days, and most people can resume their normal activities immediately after treatment.
In fact, most patients love the ‘glow’ after microneedling – knowing that we’ve triggered that healing process.
Is microneedling painful?Â
Most patients describe the sensation during microneedling as tolerable. Before the procedure, a topical numbing cream is applied to the treatment area to minimise any discomfort. The medical devices are designed with specific and controlled needle depths to ensure penetration to the right layer of the skin (which is not something that the home microneedling devices can offer). This ensures the micro-injury is controlled to avoid damage, and also controlling the level of discomfort.
How long do the results of microneedling last?Â
The longevity of microneedling results varies from person to person and depends on factors such as age, skin condition, lifestyle, and skincare regimen. With proper maintenance and sun protection, the benefits of microneedling can last for several months to a year. To prolong your results, I would recommend maintenance treatments.
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Who can have microneedling?Â
What’s so great about microneedling is that is it beneficial to almost everyone!
I would recommend delaying a treatment if you have any irritation such as a severe acne flare-up, sunburn or certain skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis.
It is not recommended if you are on certain medications such as steroids or blood thinners
Can I have microneedling if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?
Unfortunately, microneedling is not recommended in pregnancy or if breastfeeding.
During pregnancy and when breast feeding, your immune system and healing processes can be impaired and so there is a possibility that you can react to the micro-injuries caused, such as excess pigmentation.
Also, the numbing cream and many of the medical treatment serums are also not suitable as there is not enough evidence to their safety in pregnancy/breastfeeding.
Can you have microneedling on the same day as other treatments?
As a general rule I recommend waiting 2 weeks before or after microneedling for other injectable treatments such as filler, profhilo, polynucleotide and anti-wrinkle injections such as BotoxTM. This is to ensure that products don’t mix/interact and also the physical massage involved with microneedling can affect other treatments.
Also, I may also advise you to temporarily stop active skincare treatments such as retinoids.
Is LED light therapy good to have after microneedling?
I don’t recommend using LED light therapy in conjunction with microneedling as it reverses the inflammation that we’re purposely creating. We WANT the inflammation from the micro-injury so that it stimulates the healing response so putting someone straight under an anti-inflammatory light source would just cancel that out so you get less benefits from the treatment.
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Hopefully now you're all clued up on why this treatment is so popular and whether it's something that's right for you.
A reminder that these FAQs are intended to provide general information about microneedling. It’s best to book a consultation to go through your individual concerns and work out a treatment plan from there.
Keep an eye out for more tips and articles around skincare, ageing and solutions....
I look forward to seeing you in clinic soon,
Warmly,
Dr Alison
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