Microneedling, the use of small needles to puncture the skin with the purpose of creating microwounds and triggering a healing response, isn’t a new approach to fixing common skin concerns.
More than a century ago, German dermatologist Ernst Kromayer punctured the skin of his patients suffering from acne scars and hyperpigmentation. Modern dermatologists have rediscovered the benefits of microneedling, and they have refined the treatment, using different needle sizes for different skin issues.
Our expert at Medical Aesthetics & Laser, Dr. Safoora Zaka, regularly uses microneedling on her patients. Below, we asked her to share why microneedling is so effective for various skin issues.
Microneedling is also known as collagen-induction therapy. When the needles cause small wounds on the skin, the body rushes collagen to the injury site.
Because the wounds are tiny, the risk for scarring is very low. The collagen and elastin help decrease pore size, reducing the appearance of scars and fixing up skin texture issues.
Research has shown the short bursts of extra collagen and elastin to be very beneficial in the treatment of atrophic facial scars. More than 80% of the participants in a study that looked at the effects of microneedling on atrophic scars reported excellent results from the treatment.
The skin’s job is to function as a barrier, and this barrier is often disrupted by the ethanol contained in many skin care products. However, since ethanol can also be an irritant, it’s not suitable for patients with sensitive or dry skin.
Microneedling allows the good ingredients to penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin without the need for chemicals that disrupt the skin barrier.
During the treatment, the needles create thousands of microchannels into your skin, allowing your body to better absorb serums and creams.
These microchannels close about an hour after the treatment, so you won’t have to worry about dust or dirt getting into your skin after leaving the office.
You can also combine microneedling with other treatments and therapies. Depending on your skin goals, you may be able to benefit from combining microneedling with facials or laser therapy.
Microneedling has a low risk for side effects because it doesn’t involve the use of foreign substances that can cause allergic reactions. Also, because the treatment is non-surgical, patients can come in for a microneedling session every 4-6 weeks without experiencing negative effects.
Are you unsure about what procedure or treatment may work best for your skin concerns? If so, contact us to schedule an appointment, in which Dr. Zaka will examine your skin to find out how you can achieve your skin goals. Our expert offers a wide variety of cosmetic services, including laser therapy, facials, and injectables.
