You may have heard of microneedling as a popular skincare treatment, but do you really know what it’s all about? It is never recommended to undergo a procedure like this without first having all of the facts. This guide will explore the basic principles of microneedling, and why people all over the world are drawn to it as a way to rejuvenate and manage their skin needs.
Microneedling: An Explanation
First things first, it is time to dive into what microneedling is all about. In a nutshell, this procedure involves tiny needles which essentially stab the skin to stimulate a collage response. In turn, this collage stimulation triggers the body’s natural reaction to accelerate healing. The marks made by the small needles are too miniscule to even see, so while there may be some redness and potential swelling in the immediate time after treatment is complete, there will be no scarring as a direct result.
Why Is Collagen Important?
Collagen is a protein produced in human beings. The body makes it to heal and rejuvenate your skin, hair, and bones too. Beauty pathways like microneedling focus on boosting the natural collagen in the body by gently inflicting micro-wounds in the target areas. This provokes collagen production at an accelerated rate, therefore providing a way for the skin or hair to get better more rapidly.
What Is This Treatment For?
It is used for acne scars, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, large pores, stretch marks, general complexion problems and even for hair growth too in places like eyebrows. It has proven to be highly effective for combatting these issues, and people have seen positive results in all these key areas.
How to Prepare for a Microneedling Appointment
What do you need to do before the first appointment? It is worth discussing all your concerns over the phone with your consultant prior to the initial meet-up. This is the perfect space to ask questions, get answers and gain more insight into what to expect. There are standard ways to prepare for your treatment and basic guidance such as ensuring you have removed all makeup before you get in the chair is always advisable.
The Pain
Mentally prepare for a little bit of pain because there will be some discomfort, especially if it is your first time doing it. Most people report minimal pain levels, but it is good to get to know your tolerance levels so that you can make the best judgment on what you will be able to handle as the treatment proceeds.
Don’t Sunbathe
If you have been out in the sun prior to your appointment, this will increase the likelihood of complications and your beautician is likely to delay treatment until your skin is healed.
Don’t Take Blood Thinners
Blood thinning medication will naturally cause more bleeding and damage if you take it before you sit down for microneedling. It can lead to complications such as internal bleeding and a lot of bruising on the skin too.
What is the Standard Course of Treatment?
Expect to have at least four microneedling appointments with your chosen beautician. It can take up to six sessions to see real results, and some people often opt for a continuation of treatments over the space of a few years to ensure that the effects are long-lasting. The biggest deciding factor here is how much money you have available to spend on the procedure. Expect to pay at least $200 for a well-trained professional appointment, and this is the same each time that microneedling is carried out.
What Are the Side Effects?
There are a few common side effects that may happen as a result of microneedling courses. However, these do not affect everyone, and it may be the case that you see none at all if you are one of the luckier ones. Typically, you should expect to see a degree of redness where the needles were applied. This is quite normal and nothing to be alarmed about. Inflammation is also expected, and again is nothing to raise any alarm bells. Redness and inflammation mean that the treatment is working, and collagen is doing its job, so, while inconvenient for a few hours or even days, it is largely positive because they show that the treatment is doing what it needs to do.
What else can you expect?
Dry Skin
Dryness is expected after microneedling because the skin is working harder than normal to get better. You may experience up to two weeks of drier skin than usual, and it is okay to use a moisturizer if this is causing you irritation. Apply a moisturizer a few times a day as much as you feel is necessary so that the discomfort does not become too much to handle.
Peeling
In rarer cases, the skin could peel away. This is obviously going to cause some uncomfortable sensations, but it is also a strong indication that the treatment is working too. It is advisable to avoid vitamin C based products as these are likely to exacerbate this particular side effect and even create hard patches as well.
Does it Require Specialist Training?
Yes. Microneedling should only ever be carried out by a trained professional who has undergone all of the required qualifications and certifications in this area. Make sure you verify this before your appointment, because just like any industry, there are always people out there who don’t have the legal right to practice but do it anyway. If you don’t make sure that your appointment is with someone who has the right experience, you are putting your skin and body at risk of infection and worse.
Microneedling is a beauty treatment designed to stimulate the production of collagen in the body. It has been used for a number of years to help clients with common skin concerns like the natural signs of aging such as wrinkles, acne scars and plenty of other conditions too. Make sure your treatment is with someone who has the correct qualifications and expect to attend at least four appointments overall. The results speak for themselves, and it is easy to see why it has become such a popular choice.
