Microneedling Skin Rejuvenation

Microneedling is a skin rejuvenation treatment also known as Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT) and is becoming the most effective and affordable treatment available today. It’s give your skin a new lease on life. Although not a new technology, it has gained momentum in the last few years and with good reason.

Microneedling not only targets specific imperfections but provides an overall rejuvenation of the skin. It’s just amazing.

1. To create a controlled micro-injury to the skin to trigger your body’s natural wound healing response which stimulates the production of new skin = collagen and elastin. This being the primary reason and where at least 99% of the results are accomplished. New collagen and elastin is produced for several months after just one treatment.
2. The micro-channels allow skin products to penetrate deeper into the dermis where they can do their magic. It is important to note here that products used must be clean of all fragrances, preservatives, parabens, many essential oils and other “safe and organic” ingredients that are meant for topical application only. Clean products with too many ingredients can cause severe irritation. During your treatment, Hyaluronic Acid (to deeply hydrate your skin and help with post treatment dryness) and Vitamin C serum (to give your collagen a little boost and help even out your skin tone) will be used during your treatment and provided for home use and post treatment care.

Both laser and microneedling work on the principle of creating a controlled micro-injury to the skin to trigger your body’s natural wound-healing response. The difference between these treatments is how it’s done. Here’s my favourite analogy: Imagine a white fabric sheet. The sheet represents your epidermis: the protective layer of your skin. We need to get through the sheet (your skin) to the other side to poke your fibroblast, which will in turn trigger the healing response to produce collagen and elastin fibres. The “other side” represents your dermis: the deep, structural level of your skin where all the magic happens. Both treatment options can accomplish this.

But here’s the difference: fractional laser treatments use heat, causing a thermal injury which vaporizes and kills healthy skin cells en route to the dermis. The white sheet is left charred. Your epidermis is collateral damage.

A microneedling device uses fine surgical needles between 0.5 and 2 mm long to “poke” the dermis. Very few skin cells are affected, as they literally “move over” for the needle. Poke a very fine needle through a white sheet, and no damage is visible. The integrity of the epidermal layer of the skin is preserved. Less damage and inflammation occurs, which means less downtime and minimal chance for infection or complications that can occur with laser treatments. Recovery for microneedling is minimal, compared with several days from a laser treatment.

Laser therapies are also unsuitable for darker skin types, as the melanocytes (cells that produce the pigment melanin) can be damaged or over-stimulated, causing light or dark patchy discolouration. As heat is not used in microneedling, melanocytes are left dormant and undamaged. Microneedling is effective for all skin types.

You will be asked to do a little ‘paper work’ so I am well informed about your health and the skin conditions you are looking to treat. This helps reduce any risks or contraindications that may be present. You will also be asked to sign a waiver explaining the procedure and I will provide you with information of any associated risks before we commence treatment. If you have any health concerns or questions that you feel are important prior to making an appointment please contact me anytime. I will then get you cozy and settled and your face will be cleansed and a topical anesthetic will be applied for about 20 minutes. You’re face will be “occluded” with plastic wrap to help with penetration of the anesthetic. I use a MesoPen with a sterile 6 needle cartridge to create micro-injuries in the skin. Different needle depths are used on different areas of the face. Hyaluronic acid is used during your treatment to help my microneedling pen glide over the surface of your skin and to deeply hydrate, heal and protect your skin. This part of the treatment takes 25 to 35 minutes. You will be sent home with Vitamin C serum and Hyaluronic Acid for your aftercare for the following 24 hours.

Does it hurt? I will ask you several times during your treatment how you are holding up. There is very little discomfort during the treatment.

Inflammation of the skin is very temporary and reduces greatly within a few hours. It may remain slightly pink for up to 48 hours after treatment. Think a mild sunburn. Your skin may feel tight and dry and have some mild flaking a couple of days later, depending on the depth and what skin condition we are treating.

You will be given post care instructions during your visit, so no worries. You will be provided with hyaluronic acid serum to sooth, hydrate and reduce inflammation after your treatment. Makeup use should be limited to mineral makeup only the following day. Clean face is best for the first 48 hours.

General rule: Nothing but what you are given for post care goes on the skin for at least 12 to 24 hours depending on the intensity of the treatment you received. After 24 hours sunscreen must be worn for at least 3 weeks (should always be part of your skin care routine anyways) as your skin is highly susceptible during the healing phase.

Treatments can be safely done every 4 to 6 weeks. The number of treatments needed depends on your skin condition and what your skin goals are. We are all unique and no two people are the same. Most see results after one treatment and are lifers after three treatments. We recommend a series of 6 treatments per year and then take a break and just have one or two a year to maintain. Multiple treatments = optimal results. Deep scars and stretch marks can require up to 12 treatments or more over a 2 year period. Microneedling can be used on all parts of the body (neck, décolleté, arms, legs, etc).