What if there were a fantastic treatment that could wipe out wrinkles, acne scars, fine lines and enlarged pores without the negatives of a peel? It might sound too good to be true, but it’s 100 percent legit. Microneedling is a new skin rejuvenation technique that’s being used at medical offices and medi-spas around the country–and right here in Northern Virginia– with stellar results.
How Does Microneedling Work?
Microneedling uses a specialized pen with tiny needles to gently puncture the skin. This sounds a little scary, but it’s just the opposite. The punctures create tiny “micro-injuries” that stimulate the skin’s repair mechanism. This leads your skin to ramp up collagen production which plumps and evens out the skin for months. You might be a little hesitant to have your skin pricked with needles, but microneedling has been extensively studied and found to be very safe and effective when done by a trained professional.
What Are the Benefits of Microneedling?
For clients with wrinkles, stretch marks, scars (including acne scars) and a range of other conditions, microneedling is an excellent alternative to laser treatments and peels. Medical studies show that the procedure boosts collagen and elastin in the skin even six months after treatment.
In a 2008 study in the Journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, patients reported tighter, smoother skin, and post-treatment testing confirmed higher levels of collagen. Unlike some laser treatments and peels, the epidermis isn’t damaged, so it’s actually safer and gentler for patients with sensitive skin who can’t tolerate peels. Experts at the American Academy of Dermatology also point out that there’s no heat involved with microneedling so it can be used on a range of skin tones with no risk of discoloration.
Are There Any Concerns About Microneedling?
Dermatologists have taken a very close look at microneedling, and it’s been shown to be safe and minimally invasive. The main concern is potential damage from DIY microneedling or from going to an untrained provider or use of inferior equipment. Because microneedling involves puncturing the skin, it’s vitally important to have a trained technician and high-quality professional equipment.
Medi-spas use sharper, finer needles than DIY dermarollers, and dull tools can lead to injury or infection. In a nutshell, this just isn’t something you want to try at home. The other important thing is to make sure you get your treatment done at a trusted medi-spa. As the AAD puts it, your results will depend on the skill of the professional performing the treatment.
The AAD also recommends avoiding microneedling for clients with active acne or cold sores. And finally, don’t go overboard with microneedling and do it too frequently. Some patients get hooked on microneedling and want to have it done more frequently than recommended, and this can lead to broken capillaries.
What Can I Expect During My Microneedling Treatment?
At Radiance Salon and Medi-Spa, we use the super-safe Rejuvapen microneedling system, which includes a medical grade filter to protect your skin. Rejuvapen is the latest in microneedling technology and is designed with safety and comfort in mind.
When you come in for your visit, we’ll start with a topical numbing cream that will give you a tingling sensation. When your technician treats your face with the Rejuvapen, you’ll notice a small amount of bleeding as the micro-injuries are created. Some clients experience a little bit of discomfort, but many actually enjoy the stimulating sensation. We’ll follow up with a relaxing cooling treatment to soothe your skin. As with many other facial treatments, you’ll leave with a red face, but it will gradually disappear after just a few days. You can also wear makeup the day after treatment to cover up some of the short-term effects.
What Results Can I Expect from Microneedling?
What our clients love most about microneedling are the visible, long-term results. As studies have shown, you can expect firmer, more youthful skin for months, along with improvements in skin tone and texture. Our clients who have struggled with acne scars for years are blown away by the results. What’s important to remember is that this is not a superficial treatment. The science behind the procedure involves creating more collagen, which usually takes time. Most patients really see the best results after 3 to 6 months.
Is Microneedling Worth the Cost?
With impressive results that last for months for our clients, the answer is that professional microneedling is absolutely worth the cost. Our fee is $400 for a 1 hour and 15-minute session with a fully trained technician, or $1200 for a package of four sessions. We recommend four procedures about a month apart for best results, and patients with deeper scarring or wrinkles may need a few extra treatments.
Microneedling At Radiance
There are skin treatments that are completely fine to do at home, but microneedling is definitely not one of them. Because of the delicate nature of the treatment, it’s always best to go with a trusted medi-spa. At Radiance, our technicians receive extensive training with the Rejuvapen system, and our equipment is state of the art. The improvements in skin tone and texture are truly stunning. For so many of our clients, microneedling is a dream come true, as they’re finally able to tackle nagging issues safely and effectively.
