Micro-needling

Micro-needling, also known as Collagen Induction Therapy, is a new innovation in aesthetic medicine for the treatment of fine lines, acne scars and the improvement of the skin’s texture, tone and colour. During this procedure, a micro-needling pen is used to create controlled and precise micro-injuries to the skin using a high speed automated needle tip in order to aid in the production of collagen and elastin. The skin’s repair process results in a thicker epidermis with the following benefits:

  • Reduction in the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles
  • Improved skin tone and texture
  • Softer, younger- looking skin
  • Fewer signs of aging

During the procedure, appropriate pen position and depth will be selected depending on your unique needs. Additionally, treatments can be customized using hyaluronic acid or platelet-rich plasma to enhance treatment outcomes. It is possible to treat all over the body including the face, neck, décolleté, arms, legs, abdomen and back. In a single motion, the pen will be gently pressed against the skin while simultaneously gliding in one direction until the entire treatment area has been covered. While some areas are more sensitive than others to treat, a specialty compounded numbing cream applied before the start of the treatment makes the experience more comfortable. The micro-channels created allow topical gels, creams and serums to be absorbed more effectively, enhancing the effects in deeper layers of the skin.

Potential applications for micro-needling include:

  • fine lines or moderate wrinkles
  • moderate skin laxity
  • diminished texture, tone, colour
  • traumatic scars
  • acne scarring
  • photo aging
  • hyper pigmentation
  • stretch marks

The procedure itself lasts 30 minutes on average, depending on the size of the treatment area. Immediately after the treatment, you will notice a bright redness to the skin. The total healing time depends on the pen position used and the number of overlapping passes performed. On average, patients experience redness for 2-4 days though some patients heal completely in 24 hours. Following post-treatment care recommendations can aid the healing process. Most patients notice an immediate “glow” to their skin. Visible changes to the skin develop over the course of several weeks. Results can continue to improve up to 6 months after the treatment.

How many treatments will I need?

The number of treatments vary from patient to patient. Histology shows thickening of skin and a dramatic increase in new collagen and elastin fibres after the first treatment alone. New collagen production starts from 5 days after treatment and continues slowly over a period of time, reaching its peak production in about 12 weeks after treatment [1]. As such, some patients only require a single treatment once a year to achieve optimal results. However, it is recommended for most patients to receive a minimum of 3 treatments spaced about 6-8 weeks apart. For patients with more significant skin-care concerns, such as acne scars, it is recommended to receive 6-8 sessions at 6-week intervals.

Benefits:

  • Affordable
  • Effective
  • Minimal Downtime
  • Minimal Discomfort
  • Safe for Most Skin Types
  • Natural Results

Available add-ons:

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) – PRP contains growth factors that are useful for accelerating wound healing and tissue repair. For this add on, patients blood is withdrawn from the body and prepared for use. It’s application to the skin immediately before a micro needling treatment has been found to me more effecting in improving acne scars than skin needling alone [1]. In fact, studies have shown that undergoing micro needling with PRP infusion produces results sooner and with fewer sessions than those undergoing micro needling alone or with micro needing toning formulas [1].

[1] Fabbrocini G, Fardella N, Monfrecola A, Proietti I, Innocenzi D (2009) Acne scarring treatment using skin needling. Clin Exp Dermatol 34: 874-879.

For more information visit our Winnipeg naturopath clinic!