PROCEDURES
Microneedling
What is Microneedling?
Microneedling is a minimally invasive, non-surgical treatment that naturally stimulates collagen generation to tighten and lift the skin, as well as reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Microneedling treatments work by creating thousands of tiny perforations (micro-channels) in your skin that not only allow for improved penetration of treatment serums but are essentially a type of controlled injury that stimulates regeneration and rejuvenation. These micro-injuries trigger the immune system to respond with the release of growth factors that, in turn, stimulate the formation of new collagen and elastin in your skin. This makes micro-needling a very versatile skincare treatment that can also help even-out pigmentation, improve stretch marks or acne scars, reduce pore size, age spots and broken veins- all in addition to tightening, lifting and smoothing out the skin.
Dr do Vale usually uses the Dermapen 4 device to perform microneedling. The Dermapen 4 uses individual disposable 16-needle cartridges, making it effective and hygienic. The 16-needle cartridge generates over 1900 perforations per second to give better results with minimal discomfort. There is no risk of head injury or hypopigmentation, making microneedling safe and suitable even for patients predisposed to hyperpigmentation or melasma. The Dermapen 4 allows for needle penetration depth to be adjusted according to the area or skin concern being treated, enabling the treatment of even the delicate skin around the eye area with superficial settings or deep penetration to treat scars.
Microneedling treatments are minimally invasive, safe, and effective and have very few side-effects. You will need to do an initial course of 3-4 micro-needling treatments followed by maintenance treatments as required.
Fast Facts:
Length of procedure: 40 - 60 minutes depending on the area being treated.
Type of anaesthesia: A pain-numbing local anaesthetic ointment is applied 15 minutes before.
Length of stay: Day case.
What to expect post-op: Redness of the treated area on the day of the treatment. A "tight" or "sunburnt" feeling during the initial 2- 4 day recovery phase. Possibly some flaking or dryness.
Recovery time: It takes 2- 4 days for the skin to return to normal, but you may resume normal social activity on the day of treatment using a mineral-based cover-up if you wish.
Results: You will see an improvement at one week after your first treatment. Depending on the condition being treated, a series of 3 - 4 microneedling sessions may be suggested (spaced 4 - 6 weeks apart), and less frequent maintenance treatments thereafter.
Who might benefit from Microneedling?
Microneedling treatment is a versatile, safe and effective treatment for both males and females. Microneedling is suitable for all Fitzpatrick skin types and ethnicities. It is used for skin rejuvenation, as well as treating a variety of ageing and other skin concerns, including:
- Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
- Improves skin firmness and elasticity
- Reduces pore size
- Evens out pigmentation
- Reduces the appearance of age spots and broken veins
- Improves acne scarring
- Improves stretch marks
Microneedling can be used to the treat skin of the face (including the delicate skin around the eye area), neck, décolletage, scars (at any body site) and areas of hair loss.
What does Microneedling treatment involve?
At your first visit for microneedling, Dr do Vale will usually perform a full skincare consultation. She will discuss and answer any questions you may have regarding Microneedling, all options available to you, and the expected benefits and results so that together you can create a personalised plan for your non-surgical facial rejuvenation and skincare.
Before the treatment, your skin will be thoroughly cleaned and all make-up removed. A numbing cream will be applied before the treatment. The Dermapen 4 micro-needling device is fitted with a disposable 16-needle cartridge, and settings are input to suit the treatment area and skin concern. A specialised treatment serum will be applied to your skin during the treatment to allow this serum gel to penetrate and nourish the skin. The microneedling device is guided over the treatment area allowing the tiny needles to penetrate the skin, creating thousands of microchannels and activating a controlled inflammatory response. Once complete, serums are again applied to penetrate the microchannels.
After the procedure, Dr do Vale will discuss skin after-care and may recommend a post-procedure recovery cream. A medical-grade concealer or cover-up may be used to help camouflage the post-micro-needling treatment redness and help calm the skin. On average, it takes about 2 - 4 days for the skin to go back to normal and about a week to see the results.
Recovery after Microneedling:
Following the microneedling treatment, your skin will be red and somewhat inflamed for 24 - 48 hours (in some cases this may last up to 4 days). Your skin may feel "tight" or "sunburnt" during the initial 2 - 4 day recovery phase, and you may experience some flaking or dryness. A mineral-based, medical-grade concealer can be applied after the microneedling treatment to assist with calming the skin and camouflaging the redness.
A typical microneedling treatment programme starts with 3 treatment sessions, 4 - 6 weeks apart. You may notice an improvement after the first session, but the full effect will be visible after the last session. After these initial treatments, maintenance treatments are typically recommended for longevity of the results.
For more information on Microneedling request a consultation with Dr do Vale below or call 0109003999.