What is Microneedling?

The most common areas include:

• Face
• neck
• chest

The microneedling pen tip can be adjusted to different treatment depths. The more superficial depths are commonly not felt at all or can be described as a piece of light sandpaper brushing the skin.

When the pen is adjusted to achieve a deeper depth, the treatment area may be more sensitive. The combination of the topical gel and the speed of the pulsing applicator help reduce discomfort.

The appointment time is scheduled for 90 minutes, but the actual treatment is only 30 minutes (or more depending on the size/depth of area). This ensures you have adequate time to numb, ask questions, and discuss your goals without feeling rushed.

For prominent acne scars and texture, 2-3 treatments completed as a series will achieve the best results. For anti-aging maintenance,  treatments are recommended 2-4 times a year. Our skincare experts will create an individualized treatment plan for you.

Adding PRP to microneedling takes the treatment to the next level! This add-on (see add-on pricing) uses growth factors from your own blood, aka PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma), to further stimulate collagen production and help speed up the skin repair process. Since it’s your own blood we’re using, there’s no chance for an allergic reaction!

While you’re numbing for your treatment, we’ll draw your blood and then spin it down in a special centrifuge to extract the PRP. This is what we then use during your Microneedling treatment. Patients often find greater results using this method!

Pre-care: stop retinol within 5 days and no sun exposure within 2 days.

For a full post-treatment plan, please refer to your patient portal. A quick run-down of post-care includes:

• Avoid direct sunlight during the peel phase.
• Wear SPF 45-50 and reapply every 2 hours.
• Avoid strenuous exercise and sweating until after skin is healed.
• Limit activity in hot tubs, extremely warm/hot showers, and saunas.
• Avoid any other facial treatment for 4 weeks.

After the treatment, the skin will appear red and flushed. This will decrease significantly in a few hours and usually dissipates within three days. On days 3 and/or 4, mild flaking of the skin may occur.  The flaking is dead skin exfoliating off.  

Over the next six months, collagen production continues to improve the overall complexion and texture of the skin.  

For more information, please refer to your patient portal. Our licensed skincare experts will work with you to minimize discomfort and/or side effects.

• A small amount of pinpoint bleeding
• Redness
• Temporary skin tightness and mild sensitivity to the touch
• Peeling or skin flaking within the first 48-96 hours post-treatment

There is a common misconception that dermal rolling at home gives you the same results as in-office microneedling treatments. Unfortunately, this isn’t true. There tend to be 3 main issues:

1. When people dermal roll at home, their devices and skin aren’t as clean as they need to be to get the best results. Even the smallest amount of makeup or bacteria can cause skin irritation or breakout with dermal rolling.
2. It’s crucial to use the correct products on the skin after dermal rolling. It’s not good to use thick creams – stick to lighter serums.
3. “Home” dermal rollers are only made to penetrate 0.5mm in the skin. In our office, we penetrate to 2.0-2.5mm during treatments for greater results.

Since the needles are rolling over the skin surface, more damage is done than good. Microneedling needles pulse directly up and down, creating controlled injuries that are easy for the skin to heal.  When needles from rollers enter and exit the skin at an angle, the damage is created in the skin in an uncontrolled manner.  This damage takes the skin much longer to heal and can result in scarring.  

Microneedling is a good treatment for many people, however, there are some contraindications:

• Keloid scars
• Eczema history
• Psoriasis
• Scleroderma
• Blood clots
• Collagen vascular disease
• Pregnant or lactating women

Our providers will discuss your health history and the full list of contraindications when you come in for a free consultation. Contact us below to learn more about how we can help your skin look firmer and smoother with microneedling, or submit an online consultation form to get started.