A comprehensive guide to Microneedling

Microneedling is an often misunderstood cosmetic treatment that boosts collagen production, thickens the skin, and promotes new healthy skin cell growth.

Of course, it is easy to see why there is a bit of a stigma around microneedling, when you realise that the procedure involves making thousands of tiny holes in the skin using minuscule needles, but it is actually remarkably safe and incredibly effective.

Unlike a simple facial, microneedling creates a lasting boost in your body’s collagen production levels by stimulating a natural healing response through the creation of controlled trauma.

Effectively, the key to microneedling is tricking your body into thinking that there are wounds that require healing without actually doing any harm to the skin. The healing process that is then triggered will create new skin cells and strengthen the skin instead, leaving you with a smooth, clear, and blemish free complexion.

This means that the results of the treatment will actually improve over the days and weeks to come and will be far more long-lasting than applying creams alone.

Microneedling has a whole host of different uses including:

• Preventing and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Reducing the appearance of acne scars
• Reducing the appearance of stretch marks
• Evening out skin tone and pigmentation
• Reducing pore size and allowing nutrients to better penetrate the surface of the skin

Is it painful?

The idea of having thousands of tiny needles penetrating your skin doesn’t sound the most comfortable, but in reality there is very little pain associated with the treatment.

Before your microneedling Glasgow treatment begins, your cosmetic doctor will apply a numbing anaesthetic cream to the surface of the target area meaning that whilst the experience may feel rather unusual, there won’t be any serious pain.

With the holes being made by the pen or roller used to conduct microneedling being so tiny, the discomfort post-procedure is also limited, with most patients reporting nothing more than a bit of redness or sensitivity on the skin, similar to sunburn, for a few days.

If you are particularly worried about your microneedling treatment make sure to talk to your doctor and seek out a clinic that uses a pen rather than a roller to carry out the procedure.

Does microneedling only work on the face?

No! Microneedling can be used anywhere on the body to boost collagen and elastin production and promot skin healing. Yes, the face is the most common place for people to get microneedling, but is can be just as effective for dealing with scars and particularly stretch marks on the stomach, legs, or butt.

How long does microneedling last?

It depends on the results you are looking for. If you are simply looking to help acne scars, or other scarring fade, one or two sessions of microneedling may be all you need to be satisfied.

If you are looking to consistently keep your body’s collagen production high, however, and guard against the premature appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, you will need to return for further treatment every 3-6 months or so.

If you are having treatment for a certain purpose such as major acne scarring or another skin condition, you may be advised to attend the clinic more regularly, around every 1-2 months.

What is the recovery like?

There is very little disruption to the lives of those who have just had a microneedling appointment although it is recommended that you take a few additional precautions with your skin in the days and weeks to come.

Wearing a chemical free sunscreen is a good idea when outside in the weeks to follow and you should avoid chemical heavy skincare products for at least a few days. Make-up can be worn after microneedling but it is recommended by industry experts that you wait for at least 24 hours before applying. If this is not possible, consider delaying your appointment or you risk compromising the effectiveness of the results.

Can I perform my own microneedling?

A quick google will reveal a myriad of home microneedling pens and rollers promising DIY microneedling results at a lower cost than a visit to the clinic.

For the most part, these are safe to use and you may well see some positive results but they are unlikely to be close to as effective as a visit to a professional cosmetic clinic.

For a start, the needles on these products tend to be significantly shorter, and whilst this may reassure you, the controlled trauma they create, and the effectiveness of the natural healing response that is triggered, the key to microneedling, will be reduced.

Furthermore, most microneedling professionals use the microchannels created during the procedure to send certain nutritional serums deep into skin a boost that won’t be available to those attempting DIY care.