As we age, our skin naturally begins to slow down collagen production and lose elastin, causing fine lines, wrinkles, scarring, and other signs of aging skin. Topical skin care products, unfortunately, can only repair our skin up to a certain point. This is often when many people choose to undergo various different anti-aging procedures. What if there was a holistic, healthy aging treatment that could provide the results we are looking for in a natural way? Thankfully, microneedling fits these criteria perfectly.
What Is Microneedling
Microneedling, also known as “collagen induction therapy,” is a non-invasive cutaneous treatment designed to promote collagen growth and strengthen skin tissue. Practitioners will use a professional handheld, electrically powered device with tiny sterilized needles to make precise, microscopic punctures in a patient’s skin. These microscopic wounds will stimulate the skin to produce more collagen and elastin to help repair itself naturally--creating healthier, youthful skin.
What Can Microneedling Help with
Microneedling can help with a wide variety of skin conditions ranging from aging skin to a balding scalp. It can be used on most parts of the body including the face, scalp, neck, and chest.
This treatment holistically improves:
- Skin tone
- Circulation
- Hyper or hypo pigmentation
- Fine lines & wrinkles
- Loose skin
- Acne scarring
- Collagen production
- Lymphatic drainage
- Puffiness
- Dry spots
- Hair growth
- && more!
Patients may start noticing a difference in skin tone and texture within two weeks of their first visit. Overall skin health will improve each month with continued treatments, and new hair growth can be seen within six weeks. Microneedling can also help topical treatments penetrate through the skin easier and initiate even better results.
Microneedling Side Effects and Down Time
When a microneedling treatment is done appropriately, there should be minimal to no side effects. Microneedling can cause short-term swelling, redness, and skin flaking. There may be some mild skin sensitivity and dryness for up to three days after the treatment. It is recommended to continue to use a hydrating serum to alleviate those symptoms and use sunscreen to protect against increased sun sensitivity.
If a patient is on blood thinners, forms keloids easily, is receiving chemotherapy and/or radiation, or has active breakouts or infections of the skin, they may not be a good candidate for microneedling.
Where to Get Microneedling
Ready to look and feel your best? Dr. Mili Shah L.Ac, DACM now offers microneedling treatments at her University Heights, San Diego acupuncture clinic. During your treatment, Dr. Shah will apply a mild numbing cream to prevent any discomfort before continuing with 15 minutes of red, blue, or purple light therapy. After that, she will cleanse your face with micellar water and start the microneedling procedure using apple stem cells, hyaluronic acid, and herbs. After your treatment, she will give you any remaining serum to prevent dryness and flaking of the skin. The remaining serum can last up to a week. For best results, Dr. Shah recommends booking your appointment every four weeks. Click here to book your appointment today!