Guide:
- What is Microneedling?
- What is a Treatment Like?
- How Long is the Recovery?
- What is Microneedling Good For?
- Microneedling Pros and Cons
- How Long Does Microneedling Last?
- How Much Does Microneedling Cost?
What is Microneedling?
Microneedling, collagen induction therapy, is a minimally invasive skin rejuvenation treatment that carefully uses thin needles, in precise motions, to puncture the skin. By creating these micro-injuries, microneedling stimulates the body’s natural healing response, promoting the production of new collagen and elastin. Collagen production creates new, healthier, firmer skin, improving skin concerns such as wrinkles, uneven skin texture or tone, stretch marks, or acne scars.
Microneedling can be safely done on most areas of the body, including:
- Face
- Legs
- Back
- Neck
- Stomach
- Buttocks
- Décolletage
Here at Herspace MedSpa, we usually recommend our patients take their microneedling treatment a step up with radiofrequency energy. We can deliver a more comprehensive treatment using the Lutronic Genius® RF microneedling device, creating dramatic results faster than traditional microneedling. The microneedles deliver the radiofrequency heat into the skin’s surface, amping up the body’s healing response and the new collagen production.
Microneedling vs. microdermabrasion skin rejuvenation treatments are often confused with the other but are very different. During a microdermabrasion treatment, a skincare professional uses a rough-edged device to exfoliate your top layer of skin. During a microneedling treatment, the tiny needles go much deeper into your skin than microdermabrasion, meaning it can better target issues beneath the surface of your skin such as acne scars.
What is a Treatment Like?
What is microneedling like? You may wonder. During a microneedling treatment, an aesthetic professional will move the device, whether it is a traditional rolling tool or the Genius RF over the area of concern.
The tiny needles from the device make micro-injuries that may cause your skin to bleed slightly. Numbing cream is applied beforehand to limit discomfort, and your provider may spread cream on your face afterward to help with the bleeding.
A microneedling treatment typically takes just 10-20 minutes but can vary depending on how big the treatment area is and whether multiple areas need treatment. Usually, patients need a series of 3-6 treatments to achieve their goals.
How Long is the Recovery?
So, how long is microneedling recovery, and what is there to expect? Depending on how deep your microneedling treatment goes beneath your skin and the area(s) being treated, it could take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to fully heal.
You may have some mild pain and appear to have sunburn for a few days after your microneedling treatment. It’s also normal for your skin to feel tight and flake off as it heals. If your microneedling treatment is more extensive and deep, it may cause some bleeding or bruising at first, WebMD says.
As it creates tiny holes in the skin, microneedling does include the possible risk of infection as germs could enter the micro-injuries. Any complications related to infections are very low, as long as you’re healthy and the equipment is cleaned well by your skin professional ahead of time.
Complications after microneedling, both traditional and radiofrequency-assisted, are rare. If you experience blistering, bleeding for over 24 hours, or swelling for over a week, please contact your provider.
To ensure patients know just what to expect during microneedling recovery and can plan accordingly, we provide them with detailed aftercare instructions, with tips such as:
- Keep the sunscreen handy and limit sun exposure. For the first 2 weeks of your microneedling recovery, you’ll want to apply and reapply anytime you leave the house. Don’t plan to be in the sun for a prolonged period for the first week after your treatment, as your skin is more sensitive to the sun during this time.
- Be sure to use prescribed antibiotic creams as directed by your provider.
- Don’t apply any makeup for the first 24 hours.
- For the first 72 hours post-microneedling, avoid activities that may cause you to sweat heavily, including strenuous exercise, saunas, or swimming pools.
- Avoid skin care products with strong chemicals such as retinol, tretinoin, glycolic acid, or alpha hydroxy acids for the first 2 days.
What is Microneedling Good For?
The beauty of microneedling, especially radiofrequency microneedling, is the wide range of concerns it can treat. By stimulating collagen and elastin production, wrinkles, pitted scars, or other inconsistencies in the skin are filled in and smoothed out.
While microneedling is typically a cosmetic treatment, it can also help with some medical conditions, such as alopecia areata (hair loss caused by an autoimmune disease) or hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), Cleveland Clinic says. A study, in the National Library of Medicine, found that microneedling is a safe and effective treatment for hair loss.
At HerSpace MedSpa, we typically recommend microneedling or RF microneedling to patients who have concerns with:
- Acne scars
- Burn scars
- Uneven skin tone or texture
- Enlarged pores
- Stretch marks
- Lax or crepey skin
- Hair loss
Microneedling Pros and Cons
To most, there are more microneedling benefits than disadvantages, especially with RF microneedling. It improves the skin’s overall appearance by targeting a wide range of stubborn skin conditions from acne scars to laxity.
The best part of it all? It’s safe for all skin types. Unlike other energy or heat treatments, people with darker skin tones can safely and effectively achieve their goals.
Pros of microneedling include:
- Improves skin texture and tone
- Minimizes the appearance of scars, wrinkles, stretch marks, large pores, and more
- Tightens the skin
- Safe for all skin types
Cons of microneedling include:
- To achieve the best results, you’ll need a series of treatments rather than just one, followed by annual treatments to maintain the results.
- Results aren’t visible overnight. It takes time to notice a difference after each treatment.
- Microneedling is not ideal for people with a history of poor wound healing problems such as keloids, as the treatment could make it worse.
- Microneedling is not ideal if you currently have active acne.
How Long Does Microneedling Last?
The longevity of your microneedling results can vary depending on factors such as your skin concerns, age, and lifestyle habits. Results typically last about a year if you take care of your skin.
After your initial series of treatments, depending on the type of skin condition you’re treating, you’ll most likely need to return for maintenance treatments once a year to continue stimulating collagen production and keep your skin looking its best.
How Much Does Microneedling Cost?
If it sounds like the right treatment for you, you may be wondering, how much does microneedling cost? According to over 300 reviews from patients on RealSelf, the average cost of a single professional microneedling is $650, and the average of a single RF microneedling treatment is about $1000 according to patients on RealSelf.
The cost of your microneedling treatment can vary depending on:
- Whether you’re having traditional microneedling or Genius RF microneedling
- The area being treated
- The type of skin condition you’re having treated and how deep into your skin it requires your provider to use the device
- The number of areas you’re having treated
- Whether you combine your treatment with platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
- The geographic location of the dermatology or aesthetic practice you choose
Ready to add this simple, straightforward yet rewarding skin rejuvenation procedure into your anti-aging treatment plan? Request a consultation with the aesthetic professionals at HerSpace MedSpa to discover if microneedling or RF microneedling is right for you.