Everything You Need To Know About DermaPen Microneedling
– Joanna – Head trainer at Derma Revive Skin Clinic London.
What is microneedling with the Dermapen?
Microneedling, also called collagen induction therapy, is performed using a pen-shaped device, electrically powered, with tiny needles that make precise, microscopic punctures in the skin.
These “micro-injuries” do no leave scars, they work by helping to stimulate the skin to repair itself naturally trough a process called dermal remodelling. The treatment boosts collagen, promotes healthy circulation and it helps to tighten the skin.
Microneedling has been around for centuries, mostly commonly as acupuncture. This modern version didn’t really take off until the early 2000s and has since been taking the world by storm. But is extremely important the quality of the device.
There are electronic needing devices on the market as well as derma-rollers. During a derma roller treatment, the roller is rolled across the skin, leaving behind a trail of microscopic punctures. While the needle roller is effective, the rolling action of the device pushes the skin into mounds, and causes the needles to enter and exit the skin at an angle, creating lateral epidermal tears.Whilst not detrimental to the results, this makes the treatment much more painful, and often causes a longer downtime for the patient. The microneedling pen’s needles enter the skin at a 90 degree angle, eliminating the pain and epidermal tearing associated with dermal rollers.
Small and easy to manoeuvre device
The pen’s tip has a much smaller surface area which comes in contact with the skin, which allows it to treat those hard to reach areas quickly, easily, and effectively.
The most important difference between dermal rollers and the pen lies in the effectiveness of the two technologies. The more micro-punctures a device is able to achieve, the more dramatic the results will be. Due to its high speed, it allows you to do more micro-punctures. The more micro-punctures a device is able to achieve, the more dramatic the results will be.
At Derma Revive Skin Clinic London we use only good quality device- DermaPen
Our device- Dermapen, delivers up to 1,300 micro punctures per second into the skin, thus stimulating the production of collagen and elastin and normalising various skin functions. Also at the same treatment we can adjust the length of the needles depending on the area and concern.
What conditions does microneedling treat?
Microneedling is used to treat a variety of skin such as acne scarring, surgical scars, other scars, burns, enlarged pores, wrinkles, and stretch marks.
Microneedling does not deliver heat to the skin like lasers do. As a result, people who have melasma (dark patches of skin) and hyperpigmentation (dark spots on the skin) can undergo microneedling without the risk of worsening pigmentation problems.)
Microneedling is sometimes used to help topical skin treatments to penetrate the skin more effectively. For example, microneedling is sometimes performed before application of minoxidil, used to treat common hair loss. And products with brightening and lightening ingredients could be used for clients who has pigmentation problems to enhance results of needling.
TOP 5 BENEFITS OF MICRONEEDLING
- It is minimally invasive treatment
- It could be done safely on all skin phototypes
- It gives very little of a downtime
- It is a relatively cheap treatment compare to lasers
- It treats many skin conditions
Is microneedling painful?
Compare to any laser resurfacing treatment microneedling is almost pain free. There could be a bit of discomfort while treating on bony areas like: forehead or nose.
Also if the longer needles need to be used, especially on the body areas, there could be more unpleasant sensation felt. For those very sensitive clients numbing cream could be applied prior the treatment.
I have a darker skin. Is microneedling safe for my skin?
As there is no ablation or removal of the epidermis as well as no thermal damage or post procedure heat microneedling could be safety done on any skin phototype. There is also no chemical irritation. By microneedling we only stimulate natural skin healing respond.
We can treat safety all phototype from white -Caucasian skin, Mediterranean, Oriental, Asian to Black.
How will I look after the treatment?
It is a treatment with a very little of downtime.
Usually most of clients look a bit red straight after the treatment. By the next day around 70% of redness goes away. You might also experience some mild swelling.
Sometimes the redness might stay for 2-3 days but very rarely.
Usually on the 3rd to 4th day after the treatment you could feel your skin being a bit dry and flaky. This is absolutely normal.
On the 5th day in most situation the skin goes back to normal and you will start seeing how your skin is well hydrated after the procedure.
How shall I look after my skin after the procedure?
As you might feel a bit hot after the treatment please avoid the following activities for at least 2 days after microneedling procedure:
- Direct ultra violet exposure (sun, solariums)
- Intensive cardio, exposure or gymnasium regimens
- Excessively hot showers, bathing, spas or sauna
- Spray or self-tanning
- Swimming in chlorinated pools or the ocean
- Make-up
It is advised to use hydrating products and high SPF cream for at least a weeks after a treatment. If you do any other procedure like laser hair removal on the same area you should leave at least 2 weeks gap.
Please also don’t touch you skin with your hand and avoid close contacts with home pets for the first 24h after a treatment to avoid any risk of infection.
Who should avoid microneedling?
As microneedling is safe for all skin types but there will be a time when the treatment can not be done or it needs to be postponed.
If you have any skin infection on the area eg: cold sore, the treatment needs to be booked when the skin is fully healed as the condition could be spread to bigger area or aggravate.
If you suffer for keloid and any trauma to you skin leave a bid scar this treatment is not good for you.
Certain medications like oral retinoids are contraindication for microneedling. The treatment should not be done while you are on it and at least 6 months after you finished your course of medication.
How many treatments will I need to start seeing results?
Microneedling could be done as one off treatment if you just want to refresh your skin and you don’t have any major skin problems.
If you have acne scars, stretch marks the course of treatments will be needed. A minimum of 3 treatments is recommended and this is usually enough to start seeing first results.
Depending of severity of scars even multiple course of treatments are needed.
Microneedling is great to delay the ageing and it is recommended to do a course of 3-6 sessions to maximise results. It is perfect if the course of treatments could be repeated at least once a year.
Each appointment should be spaced out at least a month apart or longer depending on your skin concern.
How does a professional treatment differ from at-home rollers?
Microneedling at the clinic is much more effective than the at-home version. A professional treatment goes deeper into the layers of skin for better results and is performed by a trained professional for safety and sanitary purposes. If an at-home dermaroller is not cleaned properly and bacteria is present, the roller can infect your pores.
What will I experience during the treatment?
First, your therapist will ask you to fill in a medical questionnaire to check if you don’t have any contraindication. If there is none, it is ok to go ahead with the treatment.
Once your skin is free off any make up or creams photo will be taken to check the results and monitor the progress of treatments. Next, a very hydrating serum will be applied on the treated area and your therapist will start the needling to cover the whole area properly. The length of needles could be change during the treatment as it requires. For example: around eyes we usually use much shorter length then on cheeks. After a few passes you might start feeling that your skin gets a little bit hot- this is absolutely normal.
After a needling a cooling and calming mask will be applied for 10 minutes to help reduce inflammation and redness.
The final step will be to apply the calming cream and a sun protection products- 50+ SPF.
Straight after a treatment your skin could appear as you had a sunburn. But don’t be alarmed! This is totally normal. Your skin is supposed to be very red, sometimes with more extreme redness in certain areas. The amount of downtime that you need after micro-needling varies from person to person but is typically 2-5 days.
Have you ever experienced microneedling? Are you considering getting this treatment done?
If not please book your consultation with one of our skin specialist to check your suitability.
Book you complimentary consultation at Derma Revive Skin Clinic to learn more!