If you’ve spent any amount of time looking for ways to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles without the use of surgery or injections, you’ve probably run across the term “microneedling.”
At Premiere Aesthetics in Fort Myers, FL, we use a microneedling device known as the SkinPen to help address various cosmetic concerns on your face and neck.
Most people are at least somewhat familiar with microneedling, but we’re here to fill in the gaps between fiction and reality when it comes to what microneedling can and can’t do. Keep reading to learn how microneedling works and what it can do for you.
Understanding the Link Between Collagen and Age
Collagen provides crucial strength and structural support to your skin and the underlying connective tissue. When you are young, your body has a plentiful supply of collagen and is able to replenish it rapidly. However, as you age, collagen production slows down, and overall collagen levels begin to decline.
Collagen production begins to slow down around age 25 and continues to decrease by about 1% each year. As collagen production declines, your skin may start to feel thinner, looser, and dryer. Lower collagen levels are also associated with the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
But just because your collagen production has slowed down does not mean that you can’t kick-start your body into producing higher levels of collagen again.
How Skin Injuries Can Spur Collagen Production
When your skin becomes injured — for example, when you get a paper cut or nick yourself while shaving — your body’s natural healing process is immediately activated.
The first thing your body does is deploy platelets and anticoagulants to stop the bleeding and create a protective scab. It then begins repairing the damaged tissue by deploying monocytes and fibroblasts that rapidly multiply and release new collagen.
This means that the natural healing process can stimulate localized collagen production at any age.
What Is Microneedling?
Many people think of microneedling as a modern innovation, but it has actually been around in some form for over 100 years.
Of course, major strides have been made in the treatment since its inception, but the underlying idea has remained the same: Encourage cellular turnover by inflicting many micro-injuries to spur the body’s natural healing process.
There are many different microneedling devices, but our favorite — and the only one we trust for microneedling treatments — is the SkinPen. This handheld device looks like an oversized pen. It uses 14 sterile, surgical-grade, micro-thin needles to quickly and precisely deliver hundreds of tiny injuries just below the surface of your skin.
What Can Microneedling Do?
Microneedling is a versatile and non-surgical treatment that can help address a wide range of cosmetic concerns. Some of its most popular uses are highlighted below.
Microneedling for Skin Rejuvenation
Microneedling is commonly used for all-around skin rejuvenation since it encourages high levels of cellular turnover. This means your old and damaged skin cells are discarded to reveal the new, healthier cells underneath.
Through this process, microneedling can help drastically improve the appearance of the following skin concerns:
- Sun spots
- Hyperpigmentation
- Dry skin
- Fine lines
- Wrinkles
- Dull complexion
- Uneven skin tone
- Uneven skin texture
But this is just the beginning of what microneedling can do.
Microneedling for Scars and Stretch Marks
Microneedling has proven to be very effective at fading the appearance of stretch marks, as well as acne and surgical scars. This is due to its ability to break down old scar tissue, significantly increase collagen production in specific areas, and encourage even healing.
These benefits make microneedling a great option for new moms with stretch marks in unexpected places.
Microneedling for Skin Tightening
On top of everything else, microneedling is also known for its skin tightening effects that can help restore a younger-looking appearance. After microneedling treatment, the new collagen created by your body will help to fill in the gaps where your skin has lost collagen over time. This new collagen stiffens as it matures and improves skin laxity.
This helps create a tighter and smoother final product, making microneedling ideal for treating loose or sagging skin around the face and shrinking large pores.
The skin tightening effects of microneedling also further minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the face and neck.
What Can’t Microneedling Do?
Microneedling can significantly improve the appearance of various skin blemishes, but it cannot change the shape or structure of your facial features. We can recommend other aesthetic treatments if you want bigger lips or a thinner nose.
How Many SkinPen Treatments Will I Need?
Most people need three to six SkinPen treatment sessions to see the full results they’re looking for. However, this number could go up or down depending on several factors:
- What areas we treat
- What concerns we correct
- The severity of your wrinkles or skin concerns
- How well your body responds to the first treatment
No two individuals are identical, which is why we always create personalized treatment plans for microneedling.
Is Microneedling Right for Me?
If you have loose skin or blemishes that you wish to fade, microneedling might be right for you. However, we can’t say for sure without first performing an examination and discussing your expectations.
That’s why we ask you to come in for a consultation so we can discuss your concerns and possible treatment options. This consultation is also the perfect time to ask any questions that you may have about the procedure.
If you are ready to schedule your microneedling consultation, get in touch with us today.