Microneedling

So if you’ve heard about Microneedling, there’s no doubt you’ve heard of all the success stories that credit this facial treatment for the incredible results seen. But has anyone explained the actual science behind these results? The benefits of a Microneedling Facial is the result of stimulating your body’s natural healing response. Microneedling works by creating micropuntures in the skin, creating a small, controlled injury that sends signals through the body that there has been an injury to that area. In response to this signal, the body sends more platelets and proteins to that area to repair the damage. These proteins and platelets form into collagen and elastin fibers, as well as other skin cells, which replace the damaged cells. The new cells are healthier and stronger, resulting in firmer, more elastic skin with fewer dark spots and discoloration, fine lines and wrinkles, and rough or uneven textures. The punctures in the skin are mostly unnoticable, though some redness or irritation may be seen for a few hours after the facial treatment. Topical numbing cream is available to provide our patients with the most comfort possible.

The micropunctures in the skin are made at different depths depending on the thickness of the skin and the type of blemish being treated. A depth from 0.25mm to 1mm is used to treat the outermost layer of the skin, known as the epidermis.The cells in this layer include keratinocytes and melanocytes, which are responsible for the texture and appearance of the skin. Microneedling at this depth is used to treat fine lines, shallow scars, dark spots, rosacea, pore size, and other superficial blemishes. Creating a deeper injury, usually between 1mm to 2.5mm deep, can treat blemishes in the Dermis, which is the middle layer of the skin tissue. This layer is made up of collagen and elastin fibers, hair follicles, glands, and also contains the blood and nerve supply to the skin. The deeper punctures stimulate healing and rejuvenation to this layer to repair deeper blemishes like larger wrinkles, sagging skin, and deeper scars or pigment issues.

The visible results from Microneedling usually become apparent after 2-4 treatments, usually 4-6 weeks apart depending on the patient’s needs. For faster, more dramatic changes, adding Fractional Radio Frequency (RF), Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP), or both is recommended. An RF Microneedling treatment penetrates deeper through the layers of the skin and stimulates a stronger healing response by the body compared to regular microneedling. It is also extremely beneficial for treating acne because the energy waves emitted by the radio frequency create heat that kills the bacteria in the pores that causes active acne vulgaris and shrinks sebaceous glands. Sebaceous glands produce an oil called sebum, which is necessary for skin health and protection, but when the glands become overactive, they produce an excessive amount of sebum which results in oily skin and clogs pores. Shrinking the glands decreases the amount of oil they produce and reduces the potential of getting clogged pores and cystic acne. PRP is added as a serum after the micropunctures are made, offering the skin a surplus of platelets and proteins to amplify the rejuvenating response by the body. This facial treatment is popularly known as the “Vampire Facial” because plasma is the viscous portion of blood that contains platelets and proteins required for healing. Adding both, RF and PRP, to a Microneedling facial treatment is the superior solution to experiencing the fastest and most dramatic results possible.

Microneedling with PRP can also be used to treat Alopecia and other types of hair loss. The same way that Microneedling stimulates the repair and rejuvenation of skin cells, it stimulates the cells and hair follicles on the scalp. By increasing the health of the scalp and hair follicles, Microneedling helps regulate the hair growth cycle to prevent premature hair loss and it also stimulates a longer growth phase of each hair follicle. The PRP supplies the follicles with vital proteins and nutrients needed to produce a hair strand faster and improves the structure of the hair strand as it grows out of the follicle. The results of this treatment include a decrease of hair loss or thinning, new hair growth (even in areas of complete baldness), faster hair growth, and healthier, stronger individual hair strands. Results from this effective treatment typically become visibly apparent after 3 treatments, each about 4 weeks apart, and then maintenance sessions are recommended every 4-6 months to maintain the results.

The increase in cell turnover and the production of new collagen and elastin fibers makes Microneedling a viable treatment option for a vast array of skin problems, from acne and sun damage to wrinkles and aging skin and everything in between! Be sure to schedule your free skin assessment with one of Recharge Clinic’s qualified estheticians and find out if Microneedling is the answer to your skin concerns!