Microneedling is widely used for its therapeutic benefits and popular for inducing natural skin rejuvenation processes. It is a recently developed technique that stimulates the production of collagen and elastin. These structural proteins help in building the skin and mainly contribute to skin firmness and elasticity. Though this procedure involves pricking multiple sterilized needles through your skin causing injuries and tiny wounds, the minute wounds will help heal the skin naturally and this promotes treatment of many skin problems.
The best part of this procedure is its quick recovery and very little downtime compared to other treatment procedures.
This article will provide you an introductory tour about this skin needling procedure and its entire process of working.
Table of Contents
Feel free to skip ahead if one topic catches your eye
- What is microneedling treatment?
- How to Prepare for Microneedling?
- How does microneedling work?
- What to expect after microneedling?
- Are there any side effects of microneedling?
1. What is Microneedling Treatment?
Also known as Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT) or Percutaneous Collagen Induction (PCI) is used by dermatologists to bestow a young replenished skin. This skin needling technique is a boon to anti-aging therapy. As the name suggests, this procedure involves a tool that has many fine sterilized micro-needles that punctures your skin and creates minute injuries on your skin. These injuries induce the production of capillaries, collagen, and elastin that help heal the skin naturally. Collagen and elastin as we know help to hold the skin’s firmness and elasticity. Induction of collagen helps to heal many skin problems like wrinkles, fine lines, acne scars, dark spots or pigmented skin (hyperpigmentation), photo damaged skin, and other skin injuries.
It is commonly used on the face but it can be used on other parts of the body like the stomach or thighs as well to reduce stretch marks or any surgical injuries.
Overall benefits of collagen induction therapy are firm, smooth textured, stretchy, and bouncy young skin.
2. How to Prepare for Microneedling?
Each session of skin needling procedure takes around 30-60 minutes to complete depending on the stretch of skin to be covered. However, a series of steps that any skin clinic may follow for microneedling of the face are described below:
- First, the face or the part of the skin is thoroughly cleaned to cleanse out dirt, sweat, etc.
- Next, a topical local anesthetic is applied on the skin to numb the skin to avoid any discomfort or pain during the procedure
- Lastly, your doctor runs a specially designed device that works through your skin and creates micropores. Your skin may turn pink or become a bit firm but there is very little or no downtime after the treatment.
A few tips that need to be taken care of are- avoid sunlight for at least a couple of days, avoid exercise that would cause more sweating, and allow the skin to rest.
3. How does microneedling work?
Collagen and elastin are proteins that act as a multi fibrous rope and bind the skin tightly. Interestingly, almost 2% of the skin’s collagen is lost every year with age. We need to ensure that skin produces enough collagen to hold the skin firmly.
Microneedling for skincare works on the principle of inducing the production of these structural amino acids. A tool with many microneedles is used to create minute pricks on the upper dermal layers of your skin.
When the skin is pricked, controlled micro-injuries are created. These injuries tear apart the skin causing minute wounds. Healing of these wounds requires collagen and elastin fibrils which are produced and they accordingly help stitch the torn skin or even fill the wrinkles and fine lines. Once the process of restoration is done at the cellular level, the scars, pigmented spots, and surgical marks also start repairing.
This minimally invasive procedure is devised for all skin types and skin tone. It is a safe and effective procedure as dermatologists use sterilized and adjustable needles to match different skin parameters.
4. What to expect after microneedling?
After any skin procedure, we wait for a certain amount of recovery period/time. Though Microneedling for skincare almost has no downtime, it comparatively aids a quicker recovery than the other procedures.
Immediately after the procedure, your skin may observe redness and slight irritation. It is a part of the healing process and will subside slowly within a couple of days.
Your skin may also develop sensitivity to sun rays, thus exposure to it should be avoided and application of sunscreen is recommended for a few days.
Under this procedure, the skin heals itself by collagen induction, and based on the skin conditions, the results of newly rejuvenated skin are seen within two to four weeks.
However, for long-term benefits and according to the requirement of your skin condition, your dermatologist may recommend multiple sessions or consecutive sessions to be taken. These sessions can be scheduled between four to six weeks to give ample time for skin restoration.
5. Are there any side effects of microneedling?
Though the primary benefit of this controlled micro-injury process is the natural repairing and reconstruction of the skin, this procedure does have certain minor side effects. They are :
- The by-products of the healing process are redness, irritation, and pain in the skin that is observed after the procedure
- Your skin may get tight and flaky while internally it gets healed.
- It’s very unusual to observe bleeding or bruises after this procedure but can happen if the microneedles pierce through the deeper layers of the skin.
- Sometimes, light or dark discolouration of the skin can happen. But, this side-effect is temporary and skin tends to restore its original color in the process.
- Since the skin is punctured, dirt or dust can enter the pores causing infection. However, it is very rare as regular cleansing will lessen the likelihood of this side effect.
While we observe the low risks and added benefits of this process, the procedure needs to be well observed and guided by a skin care specialist at a skin care clinic in Delhi.
Take Away
As we look ahead for the natural restoration and organic repair process of the skin, microneedling for skin care enhances the ability of the skin to heal all by itself. Nevertheless, this minimally invasive technique uniquely induces the production of skin’s structural proteins to work efficiently. Production of collagen and elastin promotes anti-aging properties of skin and reduces many skin problems from acne scars to hyperpigmentation. Though a safe and effective method and suitable for all skin types, it needs to be well moderated and guided by your dermatologists. At Clair Skin Clinic, the skin care specialist will devise the best treatment plan and suggest you through each session according to the requirements of your skin and skin condition for the firm, smooth, and young-looking skin.