As you age, your skin starts producing less collagen. Generation of the fibroblast cells that stimulate the growth of collagen and elastin diminishes, which can cause sagging skin, the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and loose, dull skin. To slow the aging process, it is very important to stimulate the production of collagen for healthier, younger looking skin, and this can be done with microneedling treatments, also referred to as collagen induction therapy.
This treatment uses an automated microneedling device with a disposable tip cartridge comprised of 12 micro-needles that penetrate vertically into the skin, using a “stamping” action that creates invisible micro-injuries to the skin while stimulating the skin’s natural ability to heal itself and stimulate collagen production. In doing so, these micro-injuries encourage and harness the body’s innate ability to regrow and repair the skin through normal physiological processes, and the skin becomes rejuvenated and refreshed — resulting in plumper, smoother looking skin.
Microneedling is one of the most innovative rejuvenation therapies available for treating various skin problems. This treatment is good for all skin types and tones, especially for those with problems like acne scarring, wrinkling, fine lines and large pores. It treats the full face for skin rejuvenation, but it also can treat other areas of the body like the abdomen, legs, arms and hands. It can safely treat all forms of scars, like acne or surgery scars, abdominal scars, stretch marks, burn contracture scars and loose body skin.
Usually a series of at least three treatments four weeks apart is recommended, and the only downtime required is that on the treatment day, you can’t do anything to the skin (no makeup etc.) until the next day. Skin will be pink after the treatment (sometimes red if the treatment is more aggressive), and you may experience minimal swelling the first day and mild flakiness two to three days after. The amount of discomfort is minimal because a topical cream is used to numb the skin prior to the treatment.
To see how this treatment can benefit you, schedule an appointment for a consultation with an aesthetician. Make sure to use an aesthetician that operates under a licensed physician, as this is required to perform this type of treatment.
Melissa New is an independent, licensed esthetician and owner of New Skin Care, based in Gulfport at Doctors Care. Reach her at (501) 328-7984.
