When it comes to our skin, the effects of aging, sun damage and stress can take a toll. After a while, our complexion doesn’t look as vibrant as it once did and blemishes like wrinkles, acne scars or hyperpigmentation begin to appear. Creams, serums and other topical products may help a little, but more advanced treatments like microneedling can provide superior results that last, noticeably improving your complexion.
At Northcoast Laser, we’re committed to providing our patients with the latest in skin care technology. That’s why we’re excited to offer microneedling, a clinically-proven technique for rejuvenating the skin and reducing the appearance of wrinkles, sun damage and scarring. By combining the expertise of our doctors and nurses with industry-leading technology, we can help you achieve the firm, smooth skin you’ve always wanted without surgery, troubling side effects or a lengthy recovery time.
What is Microneedling?
Microneedling is a rejuvenation treatment that uses fine, tiny needles to stimulate collagen production in the skin and reduce the signs of aging. It works by gently puncturing the skin to create a number of controlled, evenly spaced micro-injuries in treated areas, activating the body’s natural healing response to increase collagen and elastin levels. As the building blocks of firm, youthful-looking skin, new collagen and elastin rejuvenate your appearance from the inside out, for a smooth, supple complexion. Microneedling is a highly versatile procedure and provides the following benefits:
- Wrinkle and line reduction
- Improvement in the skin’s texture and tone
- Correction of pigmentation issues
- Softening the appearance of scars (both acne and traumatic scarring)
- Reducing stretch marks
- Minimizing large pores
- Ask about Optional Add Ons for:
- Enhanced results
- Dramatically improved healing and skin repair
Although commonly used on the face and neck, microneedling is indicated to treat all areas of the body, including the chest, legs, arms and abdomen. Microneedling also creates dozens of microchannels in the skin to improve the absorption of skin care products such as topical gels, creams and serums, allowing them to work more effectively for even greater results.
What to Expect During Your Microneedling Treatment
The microneedling process usually takes about 40 minutes to complete, but this can vary with each patient, taking into account the size and scope of your treatment areas. Before beginning, your skin will be cleansed and a topical anesthetic may be applied to ensure your comfort, especially if delicate or sensitive areas will be treated.
During your treatment, a pen-like device will be moved across your face or other targeted areas, creating micro-punctures in the surface of the skin. Your practitioner can vary the needle length and depth depending on your specific concerns and will adjust the device accordingly to produce optimal results. This provides a highly personalized experience that meets your skin care needs and ensures your aesthetic goals are reached.
Is Microneedling Right for Me?
Microneedling doesn’t use lasers, chemicals or abrasive tools to rejuvenate your appearance, so it is safe for most patients regardless of skin tone or type, allergies or sensitivities. The effectiveness of this treatment also means that it’s ideal for men and women with a variety of skin concerns who want a more vibrant complexion without surgery or extensive downtime. Patients with some conditions may not be a good candidate for microneedling however, including:
- Problems with blood clotting or wound healing
- Autoimmune disorders
- Chronic skin conditions such as psoriasis
- Keloids or skin lesions
- Active skin infections (bacterial or fungal)
Our practitioners can help determine if microneedling is right for you during an initial consultation, where we’ll review your medical history, examine your skin and discuss your areas of concern. With a highly-trained team of physicians and nurses, the Northcoast Laser staff is committed to ensuring that microneedling will provide safe and effective results that meet your expectations.
Microneedling Results and Recovery
After your microneedling treatment, you may experience some redness or sensitivity that is often compared to a mild sunburn for the next 48 hours. You may also notice some dryness, swelling or bruising depending on the extent of your treatment, but these side effects are normal and indicate that the healing process has begun. If you opted to include either of our optional add ons to your treatment, these symptoms will be less noticeable and dissipate quicker.
As your skin begins to heal, your complexion will become noticeably firmer and smoother, with additional improvements that will develop over the next few months as collagen production continues to increase. Some patients reach their aesthetic goals after just one treatment, but microneedling can be repeated in four to six week intervals to maximize or prolong your results. In addition to leaving you with softer, more youthful looking skin, the benefits of your microneedling treatment include:
- Natural skin rejuvenation
- No marks or scarring once healed
- Minimal downtime or recovery
- Improved topical product absorption
- Enhanced results with optional add ons
Clinical studies have also found that microneedling can increase collagen and elastin production by up to 400 percent after just four treatments, delivering long-lasting results that can be maintained with occasional touch-ups. Our experienced team can develop a personalized treatment schedule depending on your goals and needs to ensure that you’ll enjoy smooth, supple skin for years to come.
Microneedling with Optional Add Ons
At Northcoast Laser, our patients also have the option of adding on a treatment enhancing procedure to improve healing, enhance skin health, and optimize your results. Ask for more details during your initial consultation!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
At Northcoast Laser, your microneedling treatment will be performed by one of our qualified nurses. Our nurses have the skills and experience to perform microneedling safely and ensure that your skin care goals are met.
Overall, microneedling is a comfortable procedure that is well-tolerated by most patients. The sensation has been described as similar to sandpaper being moved across the skin. As with everything, some areas are more sensitive than others, so a topical numbing cream can be used to ensure a pleasant experience.
Immediately after your treatment, the skin can take on a slightly pink to a bright red appearance. Total healing time depends on the aggressiveness of the treatment. The average healing time is two to four days, with some patients healing completely in 24 hours.
Patients often notice an immediate “glow” to their skin after their treatment. Visible changes to the skin will continue to develop over the course of several weeks. Results will improve for up to six months after your treatment as collagen production continues.
For most patients with mild to moderate skin issues, a series of two to three treatments spaced four to six weeks apart is recommended. For those patients with deeper wrinkles, advanced photodamage or scarring, it is recommended to receive six to eight sessions at six-week intervals, or to consider one of our laser treatments instead.