Microneedling (aka collagen-induction therapy) is a nonsurgical treatment that uses very fine short needles to penetrate your skin’s surface to improve its appearance and encourage rejuvenation. The needles are on a head, which we attach to the tip of a CIT pen – when the device is turned on, we run this over your skin with serum, and it oscillates at a depth we choose (different depths are consider medical, which licensed acupuncturists can perform in WA state). This treatment creates “micro traumas” in the skin, which triggers the skin’s repair response to start producing collagen, elastin and new skin cells. Depending on the depth of the needle penetration, this can offer skin rejuvenation levels from the simple enhancement of product absorption to the clinical treatment of scars and wrinkles.
Benefits:
· Allows up to 97% product absorption
· Evens out skin tone (like melasma)
· Helps refine enlarged pores
· Tightens skin
· Smooths out wrinkles
· Hyperpigmentation
· Deep acne scars
What do I need to be aware of to prepare for my appointment?
There are some things to keep in mind before you schedule your appointment!
Before your treatment:
· Avoid intense sun exposure 1 week before
· Avoid retinol, adapalene, tretinoin, tazarotene, glycolic acid, salicylic acid and lactic acid 1 week prior to treatment
· Avoid fillers 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after
· Avoid any laser treatments for 2 weeks prior and 2 weeks after
· Avoid waxing or chemical peels 1 week before
On the day of your appointment, please come with a clean face, with no moisturizer or SPF. During the treatment, you can choose whether or not you want numbing cream and a Celluma LED light treatment (which just enhances the cellular repair and collagen production), and then we begin the treatment. We end with a cooling aloe vera mask and I send you home with serum to continue to hydrate your face through the 24 hour period after.
Aftercare:
· Your skin will be likely be dry, red and slightly irritated 8-12 hours after the treatment
· Make sure your pillow case is fresh and clean, I like to put a towel down the first night after
· No extreme exercise, sweating and saunas for 48 hours after; alcohol may also increase redness and irritation
· Avoid direct and intense sun exposure for up to 3 weeks after your session; use mineral based sunscreen when you are outside, and use hats, scarves and any physical protection. Intense sun exposure should be avoided for 6 weeks after to avoid any unwanted pigmentation
· Use hyaluronic acid when your skin feels dry and before bed; you can do this multiple times throughout the 24-48 hour period or add a little water to rehydrate the HA if it starts to feel too cakey
· Do not use your regular skin care products for 24 hours after the session, you can lightly wash with water or a water-based product such as a hydrosol
· Avoid retinol, adapalene, tretinoin, tazarotene, glycolic acid, salicylic acid and lactic acid for 1 week after
· Wait 4 weeks before getting another microneedling session (although cosmetic acupuncture or nanoneedling may be done weekly to speed up the treatments)
How can I get the best results?
We recommend a series of 3-4 treatments, spaced 4-6 weeks apart, to get the best results. The same as with cosmetic acupuncture, it takes some time for collagen to be produced (approximately 4 weeks for cellular turnover), so it can take a few visits to see results.
You can also come in for weekly cosmetic acupuncture sessions for the duration of your package to enhance the work. Taking care of your skin, your body and psyche can also be helpful – eating better, getting regular movement, adequate hydration and managing stress levels can also make a huge difference.
Curious about getting a microneedling treatment? Send me a message and see if it’s right for you!
(Photo used with permission of Acu Micro)