Microneedling
What Is It?
Microneedling is a medical cosmetic treatment where very fine needles create tiny punctures in the dermis of the skin. This creates millions of microscopic wounds, which trigger your body’s immune system to provide natural healing, including increasing blood flow, removing debris, and forming new collagen and elastin for more youthful and glowing skin. These small channels also allow for delivery of rejuvenating solutions to directly enter the dermis, so microneedling allows delivery of hyaluronic acid or other medications for effective treatments.
What skin issues can be treated with microneedling?
Most professional microneedling devices are FDA-cleared to treat acne scars. We know from years of experience in dermatology and clinical studies that microneedling helps with many other conditions.
- Acne Scars
- Large Pores
- Surgical & Other Scars
- Skin Brightening & Rejuvination
- Wrinkles (especially around eyes and mouth)
- Melasma
- Sun-Damaged Skin
- Stretch Marks (Striae)
- Dark Spots (Hyperpigmentation)
Why Collagen P.I.N. vs. Other Microneedling Devices?
Compared to other professional microneedling devices, the Collagen P.I.N. :
- Is faster and more powerful (9000 RPM vs 6000-7000 for other devices)
- Goes deeper (up to 3.0 mm vs 2.5 mm or less on other devices)
- Has 36 needles (some devices only have 12)
Professional (in-office) microneedling goes deeper than dermarollers and home microneedling devices, which are less sharp and can drag along the skin. An expert understanding of treatment indications and depth can make professional device microneedling more effective and safer with less risk of infection or scarring.
who is a candidate?
Almost everyone! There is no heat or energy and no need for chemicals, so this is safe for all skin types. It has little downtime. Rarely, you may need to wait or avoid microneedling due to certain conditions, such as active inflammatory acne or skin cancer undergoing treatment in the area. Discuss any medical conditions and medications with your microneedling professional.
How do I care for my skin following my microneedling treatment?
day of (day 1)
- Every hour until bedtime: apply hyaluronic acid serum or Vaseline ointment
- Avoid sun and excess heat
- No makeup, sunscreen, or other facial products. Microchannels can remain open for up to 24 hours. It is important to avoid products that could deposit into the deeper layers of the skin and cause infection or inflammation.
- You can use a gentle cleanser in the evening (cool water, no scrubbing, pat dry) followed by hyaluronic acid serum or Vaseline ointment
- Use ice packs/rollers for additional soothing
- No retinol/retinoid, acids, peels, toner, exfoliating, or other topical products (such as acne washes or creams)
You may feel the skin is softer and more toned right after your treatment. It is best to avoid alcohol, exercise, and excess heat such as saunas for 2 days after to reduce risk of redness, itching, swelling, and infection.
day after (day 2)
- Avoid sun and excess heat
- Gentle cleanser
- Apply hyaluronic acid serum or Vaseline ointment – You can apply another gentle moisturizer of your choice
- Apply physical sunscreen (contains zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide) at least SPF30
- You can use makeup if needed. Mineral makeup (Bare Minerals, Oxygenetix, or others) is preferred. If needed, a thicker concealer (such as Dermablend) may be used at this time.
- Apply hyaluronic acid serum or Vaseline ointment 3x or more per day as needed for moisture
- In the evening, use gentle cleanser, then hyaluronic acid serum or Vaseline ointment
days 3-7
- Avoid sun and excess heat. Exercise is allowed.
- Continue gentle cleansing as needed morning and night, followed by hyaluronic acid serum/Vaseline ointment, moisturizer, and sunscreen. You can use makeup and concealer if needed.
- You will start peeling. Avoid picking or rubbing the skin as this may cause irritation, inflammation, and infection. The skin will start to peel away as it is ready, helped along by gentle cleansing and frequent moisturizing.
day 8
You may resume your usual routine of products, including retinols/retinoids.
F.A.Q.
for other microneedling questions contact our staff
For 1 week before the treatment, be gentle on your skin to reduce irritation after your procedure:
- Avoid direct sun exposure, retinol/retinoid (such as tretinoin, adapalene), acids (glycolic acid, salicylic acid, etc), peels, toner, or exfoliating (brushes, scrubbing). Most acne creams/washes will need to be stopped.
- No waxing, chemical depilatories, laser, or IPL treatments for 2 weeks before
- Continue gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen.
- If you have a history of cold sores/fever blisters, you should start taking it 1 day before the procedure and continue for 7 days after the procedure.
- If you have an active acne flare or infection, please call the office to reschedule.
Plan the treatment for when you can have a few days of downtime. You will want to avoid the sun for 5 days after, and avoid wearing makeup for the first 24 hours or longer if you are able to. Expect to look bright red and mildly puffy for the first day, then each day fading to pink with minimal areas of redness. After several days, the skin cells will replenish, and your face will undergo a mild peel like a sunburn. Then you will see softer and glowing skin.
Your procedure including preparation will take approximately 1 hour. Makeup, sunscreen and other facial products will be removed. Numbing cream will be applied for approximately 30 minutes and then cleaned off with alcohol. Hyaluronic acid serum will be applied to the face, which is moisturizing and helps the microneedling pen to glide along the skin. You will feel a gentle buzzing feeling, and in some areas it may even tickle or make you feel like you have to sneeze. The treatment takes approximately 20 minutes per area.
It takes time to build collagen so you will gradually see results with repeat treatments, typically 4 weeks apart for minimum 3 sessions. Afterward, we all lose collagen as part of aging, so maintenance treatments twice a year are be recommended. Ask our team about our 3 session microneedling package!
Different skin concerns may need a combination of treatments, including procedures such as microneedling or peels, creams and serums, and prescriptions. As part of a full cosmetic consultation, you will receive a treatment plan for your skin concerns.
Microneedling followed by retinol peel
For additional collagen induction, we may recommend 8% protein rich retinol peel which is applied immediately after microneedling. This combination of all-trans retinol and 18 collagen amino acid building blocks works in combination with microneedling to maximally stimulate new collagen formation. The end result is improved skin tone, texture, and tightening over multiple treatments.