Skin Needling and Wrinkle Reduction – What Should I Know?
Reduce Wrinkles and Improve Skin Texture with Skin Needling
Skin needling, also commonly known as collagen induction therapy (CIT) or micro-needling therapy is a minimally invasive procedure in which a micro-needling device is used on the skin to create controlled dermal injury which results in skin rejuvenation. As each needle punctures the skin, a channel is created and triggers the body to heal this area by producing new collagen and elastin in the uppermost layer of the dermis. This treatment also encourages new capillaries to form which supports the overall health of the skin.
This effective cosmetic treatment encourages neovascularization and neocollagenesis which helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles as well as fade scars and improve skin texture and hydration. There are various micro-needling devices that can be used such as the DermaRoller which is a device that is rolled over the skin in various directions to create micro-wounds and the DermaStamp which is simply stamped on the skin instead of rolled. The needles that may be used range in sizes from 0.25mm to 3mm depending on what area and problem are being treated.
Why choose skin needling?
Skin needling has been shown to be effective in helping:
- Decreasing fine lines and wrinkles
- Tightening loose skin
- Reducing the appearance of stretch marks
- Evening skin tone
- Reducing the appearance of scars
What you should expect when having a skin needling procedure done
The treatment procedure is fairly simple and can take a few minutes up to an hour to complete depending on the area which is being treated. You should be advised to make sure the treatment area is free of lotions and makeup on the procedure day.
Your certified dermatologist in California will apply a numbing cream to the treatment area or may even inject a local anesthetic. The skin is then punctured with the needling device. This device is rolled or stamped over the skin multiple times in a specific pattern to create channels which stimulate the body’s natural cell regeneration process. It is suggested to wait a minimum of six weeks between treatments as it can take that amount of time for new collagen to form in the skin.
Benefits of skin needling
- Micro-needling has a reduced risk of hyper-pigmentation and scaring compared to other invasive procedures and is therefore safe for all skin colors.
- The treatment can easily be performed in an office and does not require any extensive training.
- Skin needling does not involve significant downtime from day-to-day activities unlike dermabrasion or laser resurfacing procedures.
- Skin needling is a cost-effective procedure which can be performed on areas not suitable for laser resurfacing.
After procedure care
Skin needling is a simple procedure that is well tolerated by most patients however; dryness, redness and swelling may be seen for several days or longer depending on the length of the needles used to penetration. It is recommended to use sun protection for several weeks after a skin needling procedure.
Because the micro-wounds close very quickly, infection is rare.
Follow up with Calabasas Dermatology Center!
Skin micro-needling is a safe procedure to help improve the look of the skin, however, this treatment should not be performed on anyone who has had Botox or dermal filler injections within the last 2 weeks, those who are pregnant or on certain medications that could reduce healing time. Also, the treatment should never be performed on raised areas of skin such as moles or warts and will not be performed if the patient has an active acne or herpes breakout at the scheduled time of treatment.
Calabasas Dermatology Center, located in Calabasas, CA, would be happy to assist you in learning more about this effective treatment and how it could benefit you personally. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.