Balshi Blog

What Is Medical Micro-needling?

Now with selfies, high-def cameras, and images being the most widely documented medium today, it’s no wonder why facial rejuvenation procedures are extremely popular in the beauty routine realm. If we’re going to document ourselves and be remembered throughout all future generations, we probably want to look our best. And over decades, facial rejuvenation treatments have varied widely in technique. Medical micro-needling being the most unique among all of them.

Medical micro-needling uses tiny needles to promote skin rejuvenation. These could be used on patients who have damaged or aging skin. This treatment helps with texture and complexion and can completely reduce the appearance of fine lines, scars, wrinkles, soften the texture, improve tone and color, and overall enhance the skin to promote a more youthful appearance. 

The medical device or micro-needling pen penetrates the skin several layers down to break up old scar tissue and stimulate skin cells for proliferation. In turn, this results in new tissue layers of elastin and collagen fibers being created. And allows for better blood supply to the surface of the skin. 

Micro-needling is considered a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure. (Not to be confused with cosmetic micro-needling.) A treatment used not only for newer, brighter, and younger skin but used to treat skin concerns like lack of collagen production. Otherwise known as collagen induction therapy. A treatment mostly used to treat acne scars and stretch marks.

In addition to particular anti-aging procedures, the production in collagen shouldn’t be confused with the treatment of the role of collagen in hair growth. Micro-needling is not effective for hair loss. 

The Difference Between Cosmetic and Medical Micro-needling

The major difference between cosmetic and medical micro-needling is the depth of the penetrating needles. Cosmetic treatments tend to be much shallower treatments. They are designed to brighten and improve the skin. This is good for maintenance and prevention. It helps with the skin’s tone, texture and strength. Medical micro-needling’s main objective is to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. It is also used to correct hyperpigmentation, melasma and the appearance of scars. Medical micro-needling is meant to push the needle into deeper layers of skin. 

 

How Medical Micro-needling Works

The medical micro-needling procedure uses tiny needles in a device that glides gently along the skin. It then penetrates the skin and creates a healing response in the body. The micro-needles are gentle on the surface yet softly puncturing the damaged skin with a depth up to 2mm. The punctures create what’s called small wound channels which trigger the immune system to send a repair response. This response in the body increases the production of elastin, growth factors, collagen, elastin, and replaces the old damaged and aging skin with new and healthier skin. 

Plumper and thicker skin all while reducing the appearance of scars, fine lines, and wrinkles. 

Targeted Areas On The Skin For Micro-Needling

Medical micro-needling treats a lot of conditions:

  • Mild to moderate acne scarring
  • Surgical scarring
  • Fine lines and wrinkles
  • Stretch marks
  • Pore size and skin texture
  • Keloid scarring
  • acne scars
  • age spots (also called “sun spots”)
  • large pores
  • other types of scars
  • reduced skin elasticity
  • uneven skin tone

In addition to skin conditions on the face, medical micro-needling is used sometimes to help treat stretch marks in all areas of the body. When combined with fillers, stretch marks can be treated on areas like the thighs and abdominal area. As well as scarring on all other parts of the body. However, medical micro-needling is mostly used for facial conditions.

What To Expect From Micro-needling

Prior to the procedure, the area being treated will be cleansed and numbing cream may be applied to alleviate any discomfort. In addition to the micro-needling treatment and for better results, a skin lightener for pigmentation during the procedure may be applied. Collagen-stimulating products like Hyaluronic Acid or a Vitamin C serum. 

A small pen held by the technician is sterilized. A disposable tip with 12 tiny needles is then used to pierce the skin. Some pens have a multi-speed and adjustable needle depth. This allows for the needles to pierce the skin’s layers and creates wound channels that trigger the skin’s healing response and also allow for the aiding products to be absorbed into the skin faster. After the treatment, soothing Vitamin-C serum or Hyaluronic acid are used to hydrate, heal and protect the skin.

What Will I Look Like?

Each experience may vary. Most people experience a possibility of swelling and mild redness. A A comparable experience to a mild sunburn. These side effects can last from 24-48 hours. For some patients, pinpoint bleeding and possible bruising may surface. 

Results will start to show in as little as several days and up to several weeks post treatment. And you’ll start to notice brighter, smoother, and more radiant skin. However, the full effects of the treatment will not appear until several months later. 

What Is The Down Time?

The initial reaction of the skin doesn’t last very long and fades fairly quickly considering. Within hours any visible redness may turn to pink and last only 12 to 48 hours. In order to reduce side effects like redness, most technicians recommend hyaluronic acid after the procedure. Protect your skin from the sun with a zinc based sunscreen and use a minimal amount of makeup after the procedure. 

What Benefits Does Micro-needling Have?

  • Improves the appearance of stretch marks
  • Reduces pore size
  • Improves the quality and texture of the skin
  • Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
  • Improves the look of disfiguring scars from surgery, accidents or acne.
  • Will it be painful?

Numbing cream can be applied prior to the treatment which drastically minimizes or eliminates any pain altogether.

What Are The Risks?

Within an hour the wound channels created by the micro-needling pen, close. And if performed under clinical conditions the likelihood of an infection in the skin is extremely low. 

There are virtually no negative side effects from the procedure and none have been reported in over 150,000 procedures performed worldwide.

How Often Do You Need Treatments?

Medical micro-needling is safe to repeat every 4 to 6 weeks until the results you’re looking for are achieved. It’s recommended to start with 3 treatments for collagen induction. With a minimum separation time for 4 to 6 weeks between treatments. To reduce scarring, an average of 3 to 6 treatments are recommended. Each patient’s response to the treatment will vary and the treatments needed and the time apart they’re needed will differ. The extent of the damage before the treatment will determine the total number of procedures needed. 

Medical micro-needling can be used on all body parts: from the arms, legs, abdomen, neck, etc. Most people will start to see results after the first appointment. 

Is Micro-needling For All Skin Types and Skin Colors?

This is a safe procedure for all. Yes, absolutely. 

It’s safe, effective, and works for all skin colors, and all skin types. There are no additional risks depending on either or. There is especially no risk of post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation.

After Medical Micro-needling

Considering medical micro-needling is a non-invasive surgery, unlike plastic surgery, recovery time is extremely minimal. According to some studies, the majority of patients require very little down time or none at all.

After the first few days of initial reaction from your skin, whether it be irritation and redness, this natural response from the small “injuries” from the needles in the skin will fade in up to 48 hours.

If you’re comfortable, returning to school or work can be immediate. To alleviate some visual un-comfortability, some people apply small amounts of camouflaging make-up during the first few days until the red or pink coloring dissipates. It is urged that sunscreen needs to be applied post-procedure to protect the skin from the sun’s UV rays but also because of it’s additional sensitivity. 

After medical micro-needling, the skin will work pretty quickly to rejuvenate new tissue and produce results within a couple of weeks at the earliest. 

Make sure you maintain results of your treatment by scheduling multiple sessions. Compliment your medical micro-needling with additional treatments to guarantee the best results. Talk to your doctor about a plan of action regarding your desired skin results and individual goals. 

If you’re in good health and have specific skin concerns you may be an ideal candidate for medical micro-needling procedures. Especially if your skin hasn’t responded to at-home treatments or other types of dermatological treatments like chemical skin peels.  

Try medical micro-needling before considering additional cosmetic surgery for skin concerns like wrinkles, fine lines, sun spots, and aging. Talk to Dr. Balshi to see if this option is right for you and your skin.

Call Dr. Balshi at Balshi Dermatology in Delray Beach, FL About Micro-needling

Micro-Needling stimulates your skin’s natural ability to produce collagen and elastin for healthier, younger looking skin. Improve acne scars, reverse years of sun damage, effectively treat stretch marks, lax skin, large pores, thin skin, an uneven skin tone and enhance the overall appearance of aging skin.

To schedule a consultation with a board-certified dermatologist in Delray Beach, FL contact Balshi Dermatology at (561) 272-6000 or send us a message on our Contact Page to set up your appointment for medical micro-needling.