Guide:
- Microneedling Sensitive Skin: Is It Safe?
- What Can Microneedling Safely Treat?
- Microneedling Recovery Time: What To Expect
- What Are Alternatives to Microneedling for Sensitive Skin?
Microneedling Sensitive Skin: Is It Safe?
Microneedling uses tiny needles to create micro-injuries in the skin, initiating the skin’s natural healing response and stimulating collagen and elastin production. This production of new collagen and elastin can help fill in and smooth out imperfections in the skin such as pitted acne scars or wrinkles.
At HerSpace MedSpa, we typically use the Lutronic Genius® RF microneedling device to deliver more dramatic results. Each time we carefully and precisely puncture the skin with the thin needles of microneedling, the heat of the radiofrequency energy prompts the skin to heal and produce new collagen and elastin faster and more efficiently.
The benefits of Genius RF microneedling over traditional microneedling include:
- Safe and effective for a wide range of skin types
- Tightening mild cases of loose, sagging skin
- Faster cell turnover, meaning quicker results
- Shorter recovery time
Depending on the type of skin sensitivity you have, microneedling may be too irritating for your skin.
Microneedling is generally safe for all skin types, but there are some cases where it’s not recommended. If you have eczema, open wounds like active acne, or if you’re pregnant, microneedling may not be the best option for you.
On occasion when people with sensitive skin try microneedling, their skin reacts to it.
According to the FDA, signs of skin irritation after microneedling sensitive skin can include:
- Bleeding
- Bruising
- Redness
- Tightness
- Itching
- Peeling
Any reactions in the skin from microneedling typically go away, without needing treatment, within a few days or weeks, and are rarely intense enough to be unbearable. If you have reactions that persist for longer, reach out to your microneedling professional as soon as possible.
What Can Microneedling Safely Treat?
You may be wondering. What is microneedling good for?
Generally, microneedling, especially radiofrequency microneedling, can dramatically improve various skin conditions. Inconsistencies in the skin such as fine lines or several types of scars can become less noticeable after a series of microneedling treatments.
You may think of microneedling as a cosmetic procedure, which it mostly is, but the beauty of it is that it goes beyond aesthetics. According to Cleveland Clinic. microneedling can safely improve medical conditions such as hair loss or excessive sweating.
The most common concerns we treat with microneedling or Genius RF microneedling at HerSpace MedSpa include:
- Acne scars
- Scars from burns or other injuries
- Uneven texture or tone
- Large pores
- Stretch marks
- Loose or crepey-looking skin
- Hair loss
Microneedling Recovery Time: What To Expect
If you have sensitive skin, you’re probably wondering how long microneedling recovery time is and how tough it is. Luckily, for most patients, recovery from microneedling is mostly tolerable and, in most cases, even quicker with RF microneedling.
While there is virtually no downtime in which you won’t feel comfortable leaving the house after microneedling or RF microneedling, there are some aftercare tips you should follow to speed up the healing of any redness or other side effects and avoid complications. Some tips both the team at HerSpace MedSpa and RealSelf recommend include:
- Washing your face with a gentle cleanser after 8 hours
- Steering clear of applying makeup to the treated area for the first 24 hours post-treatment
- Minimizing sun exposure as much as possible for the first day after treatment, and continuing to apply (and reapply!) mineral sunscreen of at least SPF 30 for weeks following your treatment as your skin will be more sensitive to UV light as it heals
- Applying medical-grade skin care products with growth factors and peptides to support the skin as it works to repair itself
- Staying moisturized and hydrated
The rate at which your microneedling treatment heals can depend on:
- How deep your treatment is
- The location of the area(s) you’re having treated
- The amount of areas you’re having treated
- Whether you pair your treatment with PRP, which is proven to promote faster healing
- Whether you follow aftercare instructions properly
On average, microneedling typically takes from a few days to a few weeks to heal completely and will take several months to see final results as collagen production does not happen overnight and the skin will continue to improve as collagen forms.
What Are Alternatives to Microneedling for Sensitive Skin?
Microneedling sensitive skin is not necessarily the best idea if you have skin conditions you want to treat but your skin is naturally sensitive. Here are some alternative treatments that may help you reach your goals with a lower risk of irritating your skin:
BBL
BroadBand Light (BBL) photorejuvenation uses IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) therapy to deliver infrared light injury into the skin to promote cell regeneration and improve the overall health and appearance of the skin. The best part? BBL is a comfortable, minimally invasive procedure that eliminates aging signs without downtime.
If you’re concerned with any of the following skin conditions but feel that microneedling may be too rough on your skin, BBL is a gentler alternative for treating:
- Age spots
- Sun damage
- Dull skin texture
- Rosacea and other conditions causing redness
PRP
Another way to boost the production of new collagen is through platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. During this treatment, the skin professionals at HerSpace MedSpa take a sample of your blood, use the platelet-rich plasma (AKA “liquid gold”) within it, which is rich in growth factors, and inject it into areas of concern to heal, repair and regenerate the skin.
Like microneedling or RF microneedling, PRP can be used to treat:
- Acne scars
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Loose skin
- Burn scars
- Sun damage
- Stretch marks
- Hair loss
Chemical Peels
While some chemical peels may be too harsh on sensitive skin, other gentler ones may be a meaningful alternative to microneedling. By resurfacing the skin using a carefully prepared chemical solution, these treatments, like microneedling, can also improve the look of the skin and promote a more youthful appearance.
Like microneedling or RF microneedling, chemical peels can help treat:
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Sun damage
- Rosacea
- Brown spots and uneven skin tone
As long as you follow your skin care professional’s detailed pre and post-op instructions and you don’t have any major sensitivities, you should be able to achieve the radiant, clear skin of your dreams with microneedling or RF microneedling with no complications. It can be customized to address concerns more lightly for people with sensitivities.
If you visit a skin expert for a consultation and they find microneedling sensitive skin is not a good idea for you, rest assured, that alternatives are available which promote meaningful improvements.
Ready to find out if microneedling or RF microneedling is a safe solution for your skin? Request a consultation with the aesthetic professionals at HerSpace MedSpa to find out what’s best for you and develop a customized treatment plan.