Microneedling: the latest trend in skincare

Proponents of this new skincare method claim that it can eliminate wrinkles and scars, among other things.

There's no doubt that the physical changes that come with age can be difficult.

According to a report by market research firm Transparency Market Research, the anti-aging market is expected to be worth nearly $200 billion by 2019.

From botox and facelifts to breast augmentation, there are plenty of anti-aging options available to help you look younger.

Microneedling is the latest trend in this quest to stay young.

This is a procedure that uses fine needles to pierce the skin and stem skin damage to regenerate the skin.

Some experts say it's more than a skincare fad.

"Microneedling has been used in some form for over 20 years" Dr. Manish H Shah

plastic surgeon in Denver, Colorado, told Healthline. "Due to the power of the devices and the development of complementary treatments such as plasma-rich plasma (PRP), microneedling has become a core part of skin care for most beauty professionals.".

Microneedling is used to treat and improve conditions such as acne scars, fine lines, wrinkles, sagging skin, skin texture, pore size, dark spots, stretch marks, and pigmentation disorders.

Also called skin needling, collagen induction (CIT), and PCI (percutaneous collagen induction).

Most people can get anything as long as they don't have an infection, injury, or known wound healing problem.

"If you have acne breakouts or light breakouts, don't microneedle those spots. This irritates the area, making it more inflamed and allowing bacteria to spread. Wait until your skin is clearer before attempting the procedure," says Dr. dr Shain House . , MD, a Beverly Hills dermatologist and clinical instructor at the University of Southern California Healthline.

The vampire looked up

Microneedling is typically performed in four sessions spaced six to a month apart.

"The needles are inserted deeper with each session as the skin becomes thicker and more tolerable," Steinhaus said.

During the procedure, a local anesthetic is applied and then a ladder-like device called a derma roller is used to insert small stainless steel needles into the skin to create small wounds or punctures. The idea is that hand injuries force your body to send out healing factors (elastin and collagen) to repair the wounds.

“The small bumps in the dermis force the body to produce new collagen for replenishment and recovery. This new collagen makes skin look smoother, firmer, and younger,” said Steinhaus. By reducing collagen, our skin naturally produces less collagen as we age. Any procedure that promotes collagen production can improve the skin's appearance and make it less reactive.

After the procedure, a collagen-enhancing serum is applied.

"If your skin is sensitive, you should be careful when applying topical serums or products with active ingredients after treatment. Your skin becomes more sensitive after the treatment because it's already inflamed," said Steinhaus. "By forming small veins in the skin, the product can also penetrate deeper into the skin, which can lead to more irritation."

To speed up collagen production, Shah performs a procedure known as a vampire facelift, which involves taking blood from a person and using it to create PRP. After a few minutes, Shah applies PRP topically to the patient's skin, which releases growth factors and speeds up the healing process.

"Even for minimally invasive procedures, the best results are achieved by those who use micro needling techniques as part of a broader anti-aging skincare regimen," Shah said.

What are the dangers?

Steinhaus says that micro-needling can be a quarter of the cost of many laser treatments, depending on the doctor's skill level.

It also tends to be a comfortable, low-risk business with a short payback period.

In addition, Shah points out that the risks of using micro-needling are lower than many other skin treatments such as chemical peels or light/laser therapy. It contributes to acne scars more effectively than stronger.

However, as with any procedure, fine needles can cause potential complications such as bleeding and bruising.