The 411 On Microneedling
There is one dirty word that none of us like hearing… aging; there I said it! Although we may reap the benefits of wisdom as we become older, none of us enjoy saggy skin, fine lines and wrinkles, age spots or losing that youthful glow.
When I decided to become an esthetician, one of the main reasons I did so was so that I would learn and know the ingredients, products, and technology that would slow the process of ageing and to combat acne.
In the last few years, collagen induction therapy or microneedling has exploded onto the skin care scene. What exactly is microneedling, or as we refer to it in the skin care world, collagen induction therapy (CIT)? CIT is the pricking of the skin multiple times using a specifically designed device (pen or roller) with needles to induce regeneration by the wound healing cascade. Numbing agents are used to ensure you have little to no pain during the procedure.
Ageing & Inflammation
There are many factors that come into play when it comes to skin aging, such as genetics, environment, diet, lifestyle, aggressive use of harsh skin care products, sun, etc. However, there is a theme that runs through all of these factors, and that is inflammation. Aging is basically a series of tiny (sometimes big) traumas and injuries at the cellular level that, as time progresses, appear as aged appearance of the skin, such as wrinkles, age spots, loss of volume and a sagging effect. These traumas are facilitated and controlled by inflammation. The true answer to achieving an anti-aging response in the skin is to control and reduce inflammation.
Needling Knowledge
Perhaps you have seen the pictures of faces that are covered in blood after a microneedling treatment. It is not necessary, nor recommended that one needle so deeply in the skin that it causes it to bleed. In a class I attended given by Lance Setterfield, MD, a leading authority in dermal needling, he in fact stated that the goal is to needle to the dermoepidermal juncture (DEJ) to hit the “sweet spot” where all the magic happens with our skin cells. There are different types of collagen in the DEJ that are engaged that rejuvenate the skin. A practitioner should look for erythema as the endpoint to a treatment. The only time it is necessary to go deeper than this is when dealing with scars such as acne or stretch marks.
Microneedling Serums
The serums used is another factor in considering when having this treatment done. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a buzz word these days. However, as new studies come out, it is no longer the best option available.
When attending advanced education classes, I have learned that using a bone marrow serum yields better results. The bone marrow is taken from 20-25 females that are health screened to ensure there are no blood transmissible diseases. This age group has LESS inflammation in their bodies naturally. The healthy stem cells are then grown to extract the healing growth factors and cytokines to be used in the microneedling treatment. Growth Factors assist in healing injuries in the body and cytokines are messengers that communicate from cell to cell – in this case, we are wanting the “younger” cells to communicate with the “older” cells to rejuvenate.
Post-Microneedling Red Light LED Treatments
It is also very beneficial to receive a red-light LED treatment immediately after a microneedling session. The LED light treatment will further engage the Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy of the cells, which will offer more healing and rejuvenation to those skin cells by engaging the production of collagen and elastin.
This is one of my most favorite treatments. The skin texture and tone are improved almost immediately, plumpness is evident and as time goes on, fine lines and wrinkles fade away and the skin is radiant. This is an amazing treatment for those that suffer from acne scars.
Microneedling Results
I am often asked how long will the results last. Each person is different. Those that keep up with regular facial treatments have longer-lasting results. I compare it to going to the gym. We can’t work out and get the results we want and then stop working out and eating what we want because we will be back to ground zero again. Your skin is the same way. To fight the signs of aging and keep your skin healthy and vibrant, you must keep up with skincare treatments. Remember, the skin is the largest organ of your body and will be representing you for many years.
Here’s to glowing, vibrant skin with microneedling! Schedule your microneedling treatment at Skintopia in Scottsdale today!