Hello Gorgeous!
How many of you have heard of microneedling, AKA Collagen Induction Therapy? If you haven’t heard of it or if you’ve never tried it, it’s time to jump on the bandwagon!
After the age of 30, we lose 1% of our collagen every year. Having 1 microneedling session is said to boost your collagen by 1%, meaning you can look a year younger after one session!! Ummm, yes please! Sign me up!! Microneedling is a great all-encompassing treatment because it addresses more than just collagen loss. Microneedling can soften acne scars, break up pigment, blur fine lines and wrinkles, reduce the appearance of enlarged pores, spider veins, broken capillaries, and tighten the skin.
Microneedling sounds scary and painful, doesn’t it? I can assure you that it is not. During your hour long treatment your face is cleansed and a topical numbing agent is applied for 15-20 minutes. Your practitioner will ensure you are numb before beginning your microneedling treatment. You may feel pressure but you should not feel pain. You, the patient, are the guide. If it feels uncomfortable, please speak up. The needle depth can be adjusted to your comfort level.
So how many sessions will you need? That’s a personal preference and depends upon how dramatic of a result you want. In your 30’s, having a series of 3 sessions should be sufficient to see noticeable results. Once you’re in your 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s you are likely to need 6 or more sessions. Honestly, you will see results after 1, but it may not be enough to satisfy you. Lasting and more significant results will be more visible after 3-6 treatments, spaced 4-6 weeks apart. And the improvements in your skin will continue for 6-12 months after your last treatment! Keep in mind your results can be enhanced by using the right skincare products (Vitamin C and Retinol).
Now let’s talk about downtime because that’s a biggie, right? There aren’t a lot of us that want to be walking around looking like we’re straight out of a horror film. Your face will be red that first day. And I mean red! Red like you’ve laid out in the sun for 5 hours with no sunscreen on. Your face will possibly feel warm and tight. Again, like a sunburn. The redness will subside as the day goes on. The next day, generally, people are pink; however, it’s nothing that can’t be covered with a tinted mineral-based sunscreen or foundation. Some people experience dryness and flakiness but that usually resolves in 5-7 days. Your practitioner will give you specific instructions on how to care for your skin after microneedling; so please follow those instructions for maximum results.
Obviously we know the aging process never stops. Which is such a bummer! So microneedling is something you need to keep up with. I started with 3 sessions, spaced 4 weeks apart in my early 40’s. For the next year, I did 1 session every 6 months. Each year I increased the amount of sessions I’ve had. This year, I will have 4 sessions; 1 every 3 months and I feel like my skin looks better now than it did in my 30’s.
I’m a big believer in microneedling. Not only have I benefited from it; but I’ve also never had a patient tell me that they didn’t see results. Do your homework. What I think you’ll find is the evidence is compelling that it works. Also remember, this is your face; meaning microneedling is not a service that I would go coupon shopping with. Find an experienced practitioner in your area that uses an FDA approved microneedling device and reap the rewards that microneedling provides for you.
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