What are the benefits of medical skin microneedling treatments?

Medical Skin Needling is a non-ablative or ablative (both preformed with heat) treatment, it requires a very short term down time, has very little side effects when preformed properly and is only minimally invasive. It is also more cost effective compared to many laser resurfacing treatments whilst providing many of the same benefits. Medical skin needling improves skin smoothness, uneven skin tone, hydration, dull skin, pigmentation, absorption of active ingredients, “wakes up” collagen, elastin production for firmer, smoother skin, reduction of scar tissue and epidermal thickness and strength - meaning a younger looking you!

Rejuvenation – due to increased desquamation of dry skin cells, stimulation of collagen and elastin, new fresh cells, blood and Lymph flow (removal of our natural toxins) and sebum secretion induced by the needle depth and the wound healing momentum.

Stimulation - of “lazy collagen production” and elastin (slows down as we age), with each monthly treatment, enticing tighter networks too smooth out wrinkles from the inside out.

Increased absorption - from active ingredients applied – serums with increased absorption of 300% entering the dermal layer where cell, collagen, Elastin, fibroblasts and grow factors transform. 

Smoothing - of the skins surface - uneven skin feel is smoothed via the deep shedding of dry skin cells and proliferation of new cell growth due to the wound healing cascade initiated by the Medical Skin Needling Treatments. As we age our ability of natural exfoliation of dead skin cells reduces dramatically, causing a building up of dried-up skin cells in the form of bumps and rough patches.

The epidermis is thickened and strengthened - due to new, plump cell proliferation and a “cushioning effect” within the dermis, via the stimulation of Collagen and Elastin fibres,  as they begin to tighten the “web-like” support within the lower layers of the skin.

Reduces Age Spots, Hyperpigmentation – Skin Needling, not only breaks down clusters of Melanocytes (pigment cells) within the epidermal layer, into smaller particles, but also allows deeper transport of active ingredients to those areas to produce their lightening effects directly to the source of discolouration. Along with that, the cell renewal and the desquamation action of old cells (including old Melanocytes cells -pigmented cells), further benefits the appearance of clearer and even skin.  By doing the required Medical Skin Needling treatments recommended by your therapist and using the recommended active ingredients at home, many age spots and hyperpigmentation markings soften, becoming less noticeable or will no longer be visible to the naked eye. 

How is a medical skin needling treatment performed?

Usually each session is about 45mins, with 20-30 minutes of needling, a double cleanse and a hydrating mask or serum to finish.

If needed for the comfort of the client, numbing cream can be applied, but usually not necessary, especially on the fleshier areas treated.

The needling session should start with a test area, for comfortability and skin reaction, this will help the Therapist to determine the needle depth and safe active ingredient to be used for the treatment.

A chosen treatment serum may be mixed with a water based, gliding lubricant (when needed) for a smoother slide along the skin with the medical needling pen, the skin should be pulled taut for even distribution of micro injuries and absorption. Some areas may be crossed over in more than one direction to make sure all areas are covered completely.

The needling session is mildly irritating, causing a tingling, warm sensation which is slightly more noticeable on more bony areas, (the depth of needle should be reduced for comfort).

At the end of a session, the skin will appear and feel similar to a mild to moderate sunburn, this may last between 3-48 hours as all skins react differently.

There may be tiny blood dots in some areas or a line of red dots where a therapist may do more glides across certain areas for best results.

Treating and adhering to the advice with the correct home care advice (especially for the first 3 days) will give you the best outcome from your treatments.

Medical skin needling is usually achieved in 4-6 treatments, one month apart and for continuous maximum results, treatments twice a year is optimal.

Needling deeper into the skin to create more micro injuries does not necessarily improve the outcome of the treatments. Having more frequent than prescribed “medical skin treatments” (less than 3 weeks apart) does not allow the time for skin to heal effectively (it takes about 20 to 40  days for new cells to be produced). Over needling can lead to the “switching off” of cellular messages in the skin, resulting in collagen and elastin production to become “lazy’’ once again (as it does as we age).