CAN MICRONEEDLING BE COMBINED WITH OTHER TREATMENTS?

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Microneedling can be combined with a liquid treatment on the skin surface-- such as growth factors, vitamin C, or platelet rich plasma serum(PRP)-- to further improve skin quality, evenness, and texture. This is highly effective because the skin absorbs more of these growth factors as a result of microneedling treatment.

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HOW IS THIS DIFFERENT FROM A MICRONEEDLING OR DERMAROLLER TREATMENT IN AT HOME?

1. Home needles are shorter and less effective.

In a home-use setting, microneedling devices and dermal rollers have needles that are much shorter than the ones used professionally. A home device will have short, fine needles that are 0.2 mm in depth and can be used two times a week or more. In contrast, medical microneedling uses long, fine needles with depths ranging from 2 to 7 mm, depending on your concern (in other words 10 to 35 times deeper than the home model).

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2. Home needles can hurt your skin and cause scarring.

Microneedling must be done with a device that hits your skin surface at a 90 degree (perpendicular) angle, in order to minimize scraping, scratching, or other trauma that could cause scarring. Inexpensive home devices often have poor quality needles that are slightly angled or bent and can thus hurt your skin. Similarly, circular devices like dermal rollers don't hit the skin at a straight 90 degree angle and can be injurious for this reason as well.

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WHY NOT JUST USE A LASER OR CHEMICAL PEEL?

Microneedling is preferable to laser and chemical peels in many patients because it is safe for use in all skin tones, all parts of the body (including stretch marks on the abdomen), and all times of life (including pregnancy and breastfeeding). In addition, the downtime with Microneedling is quite short, with transient redness usually lasting less than a day (as compared to one week or more with peels or laser).

Microneedling Collagen Induction Therapy is also a great technique for those who are concerned with their complexions but are relunctant to try Botox or fillers. Because it is mechanical and doesn't involve any chemicals or neurotoxins, the technique is reassuring to many.

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DOES IT HURT?

Although Microneedling sounds scary (thousands of needles going into your face!), it is actually quite painless. We use lidocaine numbing cream on your face to keep you completely comfortable, and you are wide awake during the procedure. The experience feels similar to a deep facial with a bit of extra vibration. At the end of the procedure, your face will be slightly red and tingly, as the growth factors, vitamin C, or platelet rich plasma serum absorb into your skin. By the next day, you will be able to return to work and play, with minimal downtime.

Improved skin appearance begins to occur almost immediately and continues for 4 to 6 weeks. For best results, Microneedling can be repeated as frequently as every 2 weeks, or as infrequently as 2-3 times a year, depending on your concerns.