If you’re like me, the idea of a bunch of tiny little needles penetrating your skin over and over again sounds quite frightening, right?! But don’t worry, the microneedling procedure might sound scary, but the process is quick and with a little bit of topical numbing cream, almost entirely free of pain!
So, what exactly is microneedling and how does it work?
Microneedling is a derma roller procedure that uses small needles to prick the skin, creating tiny little “wounds”, causing your skin to generate new collagen (the main structural protein in skin that provides structure and improves wound healing) and skin tissue for smoother, firmer, more toned skin. In addition to these benefits, microneedling can also be used target:
- Acne scars
- Age Spots (Sun Spots)
- Lines and Wrinkles
- Large Pores
- Reduced Skin Elasticity
- Uneven Skin Tone
- Stretch marks on other parts of the body (in combination with fillers)
With a dermatologist’s recommendation, most people should be safe to have the procedure; microneedling isn’t for everyone! Dermatologists do not recommend this skin care treatment for the following people:
- Pregnant women: the vitamins and nutrients the skin uses are vital to the unborn child
- People with active acne: the needles will puncture the acne and then spread the bacteria over the rest of skin, causing the outbreak to become even worse
Although there is no downtime/ recovery time following the treatment, there are some small side effects. Some of the side effects can include:
- Bleeding
- Bruising
- Infection
- Skin Peeling
If any of these side effects last longer than a few days, you should contact your dermatologist.
Microneedling versus Home Rollers
If you’ve taken a stroll through any makeup or skincare aisle at any beauty shop, or even your local CVS, I’m sure you’ve seen an at home dermaroller. So, you might ask, what’s the difference?
Most microneedling procedures will cost somewhere between $100 - $700, depending on the size of the area you are wishing to treat, and being a cosmetic treatment, it will not be covered by insurance. An at home roller could cost between $25-$50. These two treatments will vary greatly, depending on much you’re willing to spend.
In addition to cost, the effectiveness of the two treatments is another major difference. The needles of an at home roller are much smaller than the needles used in the roller by your dermatologist. These needles will be much less painful (although the larger needles don’t cause much pain either) and won’t reach the deeper parts of your skin.
Most likely, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, the best result you will see from an at home dermaroller would be achieving slightly brighter skin (American Academy of Dermatology)
Treating Your Skin After Microneedling
As mentioned previously there is little to no recovery time following your treatment, However, you do need to make sure you are taking the proper care of your skin for the next few days.
First and foremost, skin care professionals recommend that you don’t wear any type of makeup for at least the first 24 hours following your procedure, and that sunscreen of at least SPF35 be applied daily (some dermatologists even recommend getting the procedure done in the winter to limit your skin’s exposure to the sun).
In addition to applying sunscreen to your skin, using a hydrating serum that contains hyaluronic acid after microneedling treatments has been shown to help stimulate collagen production, as well giving your skin the hydration it needs.
Pairing a hydrating serum or moisturizer with a serum that contains beta glucan has also shown considerable benefits. Beta glucan has a more powerful effect than hyaluronic acid, with some studies showing redness be reduced by up to 60% within two days, and up to 90% after one week.
DermaBoss And Microneedling
Our Cell Hydrating Serum with Hyaluronic and Ferulic Acid is a great choice to use to keep your skin hydrated following a microneedling treatment. The Hyaluronic acid will help your skin stay hydrated and will also help your skin stimulate collagen production, making your skin have a healthy, firm glow. Pairing ferulic acid with microneedling will enhance the transdermal penetration and will additionally help with wound healing caused by the needles.
Following microneedling procedures, you will want to avoid products with vitamin C in them for about five to seven days. After this time period, our Vitamin C Serum With Hyaluronic Acid and Beta Glucan can be used to assist with any remaining redness caused by the procedure.