We all have heard the expression “No pain, no gain”
especially when it refers to beauty and quite honestly, I am sure that most women will agree to some extent if not completely with that..
Waxing, permanent makeup, laser treatments, reductive massage… just to mention a few, are clear examples of it. Yet we do it with pleasure because we love the results !
Well the new kid on the block is called “micro-needling” it has become a very popular skin treatment despite the “needle” term in the name..although the technology is also known as “Collagen Induction Therapy” I personally prefer to call it that way because it simply defines what it does for the skin.
But, is it worth the little discomfort?
How does micro-needling work?
Either in the from of a roller, an electric pen or a stamp these cosmetic devices contain tiny needles that cause minute wounds in the skin. Since it is at such small scale, it is basically impossible to see them except for some blood drops that may emerge at the time of treatment.
Despite the microscopic nature of the wound, it is sufficient enough to activate the body’s own natural healing mechanism, promoting the production of new collagen and elastin. Hence the name “Collagen Induction Therapy”.
The beauty of this modality is that there is no removal or damaging of the existing collagen, so the new one fortifies and adds naturally to the existing structure.
New collagen not only increases skin density ( thickness), looks and feels younger but also has better overall functionally, giving the skin a very positive turn.
Another benefit that occurs parallel to the collagen growth is better absorption of active ingredients such as: vitamins, minerals, aminoacids, growth factors etc. via the micro-channels created by the needling action. For example, combining this technology with Platelet Rich Plasma extracted from your own blood also known as PRP has become very popular. When applied synergistically with the procedure, these topical substances penetrate at deeper levels in the skin and become more therapeutic which is a great opportunity to customize each individual treatment with specific ingredients to improve different skin concerns including: lines and wrinkles, acne scarring, stretch marks, hyperpigmentation, rejuvenation and so on..
This type of treatment is normally recommended in a series, the time in between treatments is set based on the professional’s criteria. For the most part, it is indicated every 3 to 4 weeks to allow the skin to heal properly before it is treated again. However, too far apart will just make the skin lose its stimulating momentum, so spacing the treatments at the correct time is crucial to achieve the best results.
The downtime is minimum, some mild redness and inflammation that normally subsides within 24 to 48 hrs. It is very important to use mild skincare and sun protection and stay away from harsh ingredients.
Extreme hygiene and sanitation is imperative for this type of skin treatments, disposable tips and/or rollers should be used each time.
The price for this treatment varies depending on the location, the professional, the active ingredients being used in the treatment as well as the procedure itself. It normally ranges from $175 up to $850 aprox. when PRP ( your own plasma) is used as the active topical. (one session)
Okay…
After all the technical info, I must tell you that I have personally seen great results with this modality. It is relatively non-invasive and the benefits I believe are greater than the little discomfort. Yes, there is a little bit of discomfort, I wouldn’t call it pain. But, let’s take into consideration though that pain tolerance is a very subjective matter. I personally don’t like to use anesthetics but you can use one to make it more pleasant.
So, what do you think?
Are you ready to trade a little prick for beauty?
Thank you for being here.
Until next time,
Dora Salazar
Medical Aesthetician
Founder of Zkin Fix Skincare
