The field of skin care is constantly advancing, with new treatments to help replace or supplement existing ones, and at Clarity Skin, we’re a step ahead of the curve. One of our most useful skin treatments is called microneedling – a theme used in Europe and around the world for decades, but one that’s just making its way into popular North American dermatology.
Simply, microneedling uses tiny needles to create small wounds, stimulating the body’s natural healing processes in those areas and leading to other benefits. Let’s look at the basics of microneedling.
Microneedling Process
Microneedling takes place when tiny micro-channels, or holes, are created in your skin by placed needles. Your esthetician will target the locations that need repair, and they’ll be very briefly “wounded” by tiny needles. This stimulates the skin’s natural healing, and even helps improve it over time via repetition – it stimulates greater production of collagen and elastin, important chemicals in the skin.
The microneedling repair process begins almost immediately after injections. There is no permanent tissue damage done during this procedure, and it’s notably effective for everything from wrinkles and scars to acne and blemishes.
How Does it Feel?
You hear “needle” and get worried, but microneedling actually doesn’t feel like much of an injection at all. A high-speed motor is what’s being used to make the needle penetration happen, and this motor will cause the process to feel more like sandpaper being lightly rubbed on the skin – uncomfortable, yes, but not extremely painful. Treatments specifically for scarring on the skin may cause slightly more discomfort, as they use longer needles that can invade what’s known as “nerve space.”
After-Effects
Microneedling has few side effects, though you may look like you have a sunburn for anywhere from a few hours to around a week. You may have some very minor bleeding at the point of the injection, though this will likely have stopped by the time you leave the office. You’ll be told to take good care of your skin, using gentle techniques and avoiding products containing acid for at least a week or two.
Want to learn more about microneedling, or any of our other services such as body contouring or laser hair removal? Our experts at Clarity Skin are standing by.
