Is your teenage acne finally gone but you still have acne scarring? Microneedling may be the perfect solution for you. Sometimes you’ll hear other names for microneedling such as skin needling, collagen induction therapy (CIT), and percutaneous collagen induction (PCI). These are just different names for the same treatment.
Here we will answer your questions about microneedling, such as:
- What is microneedling?
- How does microneedling work?
- Does microneedling hurt?
- Will I have to take time off from work?
- What results can I expect?
- How long will the results last?
- Are there any side effects from microneedling?
- Who should not receive microneedling treatments?
- What’s the price range for microneedling?
You may have tried similar over-the-counter treatments like derma rollers. Derma rollers rarely work. Some people injure themselves with these devices. It’s time to see how a trained medical professional can work wonders with a Rejuvapen.
What Is Microneedling?
With microneedling, our specialists use a tiny surgical needle to make small punctures in your skin. As these microinjuries heal, your own body takes on the work of reducing acne scarring. You need no drugs or surgery. Microneedling simply stimulates your body to reduce acne scars for you.
You can think of microneedling as another type of workout. When you lift weights, stress on your muscles causes increased strength and muscle mass. With microneedling, stress causes your natural healing system to activate, and that leads to reduced scarring.
Unlike weight training, where a personal trainer is optional, with microneedling you must work with a skilled professional that knows exactly where to apply the needles. When applying needles to your face, there’s little room for mistakes. The over-the-counter devices often make contact at different angles, leaving you with more damage that you started with.
How Does Microneedling Work?
At our medical spa in Woodland Hills, CA, we use Rejuvapen for microneedling. It’s the most advanced FDA-cleared microneedling device available. It accelerates your body’s natural healing capability to create new capillaries, collagen, and elastin. The result is a dramatic reduction in acne scarring.
How To Prepare for a Microneedling Treatment
It’s a good idea to start preparing up to a month before your treatment. Applying a Vitamin A or Vitamin C cream during the weeks before the procedure can increase the effectiveness of the treatment.
It’s also advisable to avoid excessive sunlight exposure to the affected area before treatment. It wouldn’t be good to show up for a microneedling procedure with a sunburn.
What Should I Expect During a Microneedling Procedure?
Your clinician will apply a numbing gel before starting the procedure. You’ll wait for the gel to take effect before the procedure begins. Your treatment can be as short as 30 minutes. Depending on the severity of the acne scars and any other treatments combined with the microneedling procedure, it may take up to two hours.
Most patients need multiple treatments. We usually set appointments four to six weeks apart to allow time for healing between treatments. You’ll probably need three to four sessions for optimal results. For severe cases, you may need as many as eight sessions.
Does Microneedling Hurt?
The numbing gel prevents pain during the procedure. The most you should feel is a warm tingling sensation. Deep scars may require deep needling. If that’s the case, there is a small risk of bleeding.
Will I Have To Take Time Off From Work After a Microneedling Treatment?
There’s usually no downtime from work after a microneedling treatment. Your skin may be pinkish or red, but you can use makeup to cover this. This should go away within a couple of days. Sometimes, it may take up to a week.
You will need to avoid swimming pools during this healing period to reduce the risk of infection. Your skin will be more sensitive while healing, so you definitely want to avoid skin damage from sunlight. A sunburn could ruin the results of the treatment.
What Results Can I Expect After a Microneedling Treatment?
You should see reduced scarring within a week. But don’t expect to see the full effect of the treatment for up to three to six months after your microneedling procedures.
The results of microneedling usually fade. So, you’ll probably need additional maintenance treatments. Revisiting the weightlifting analogy mentioned above, one workout doesn’t lead to permanent muscles. The same is true for microneedling.
Just as weightlifting is a natural way to build muscle, microneedling is a natural way to reduce acne scars. Consider microneedling your workout for your acne scars. Continuous maintenance is the rule when using natural solutions.
Unlike the gym, you don’t need maintenance microneedling treatments several times a week. After your initial treatments, you should only need microneedling procedures two to three times a year.
Are There Any Side Effects From Microneedling Treatments?
Side effects from microneedling are usually extremely mild. You may have swelling, redness, or skin flaking. These issues usually subside within a couple of days but may last up to a week.
If you have are suffering from an inflammatory acne breakout or a breakout of oral herpes, it’s best to postpone treatment as microneedling can worsen these conditions.
Why Is Microneedling a Good Option To Reduce Acne Scarring?
Studies show microneedling reduces burn scars 80% of the time. It has a similar effect on acne scars. But there are other options. Here we’ll look at some pros and cons of a few popular acne scar treatments.
Alternative Treatments
Everyone’s condition is different. Microneedling might not be the best solution for you. You have other choices. According to the Mayo Clinic, other options include:
- Steroid injections
- Fillers
- Laser resurfacing
- Dermabrasion
- Chemical peels
- Surgery
- Botox
At your consultation appointment, ask about these other options.
Dermabrasion is an older treatment similar to microneedling. Instead of tiny needles, dermabrasion uses a rough surface. Dermabrasion may be better for some people than microneedling, but the risk of complications and side effects is much higher. You can also expect about two weeks of downtime.
Laser resurfacing has a much higher risk of side effects and complications when compared to microneedling. It can cost several thousand dollars more than microneedling. But it’s not as expensive as surgery. Similarly, surgery involves much more risk than microneedling. An advantage of these choices is they provide longer term relief than microneedling.
Chemical peels can lead to:
- Viral, bacterial, or fungal infections
- Heart damage
- Kidney damage
- Liver damage
Botox is a relatively safe treatment, but microneedling is far safer. We also offer Botox at our medical spa. But our best option for you may be a vampire facial. Be sure to ask us about this combination of microneedling and platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) therapy.
Where microneedling is an effective treatment, it’s your safest choice. It’s also one of your least expensive options. We’ll discuss these issues in more detail in the sections below.
How Much Does Microneedling Cost?
Microneedling typically costs $200 to $700 per session. The costs differ from person to person as the severity and the coverage area of the acne scarring differ. You should have a good idea of what microneedling will cost you after your consultation.
Who Can Benefit From Microneedling?
With a few exceptions, if you have acne scarring, microneedling is a good solution for you. Microneedling is not effective with raised scarring or raised moles in the affected area. With these issues, another option may be best for you.
Since bleeding can occur during a microneedling procedure, you must let your clinician know if you have bleeding or clotting disorders. Whether microneedling is still an option for you will depend on the depth of penetration necessary for treatment. Only an expert provider can make this determination. Blood thinners present a similar problem. Again, whether microneedling is still an option for you is determined on a case-by-case basis.
Microneedling probably isn’t a good choice for people with:
- Skin conditions such as eczema
- Diabetes
- Weak immune system
- Keloids
- A history of excessive scarring
Like many medical procedures, it’s also a bad idea to undergo microneedling treatments while pregnant.
Conclusion
Now that you see all the benefits of microneedling, it’s a good idea to book your consultation today. At Raw Beauty’s medical spa in Woodland Hills, CA, we look forward to helping you.
Our experienced practitioners will go over all your goals and concerns with microneedling. Together, we will develop a customized treatment plan for you! All you need to do is click the “book now” button at the top right. Or call us at (818) 446-6111. The quicker you get started, the sooner those unsightly scars will be a thing of the past.
