What is Microneedling?

Microneedling is a simple, effective and virtually painless natural treatment to tighten, improve texture and tone, reduce pore size and improve scarring and skin imperfections.

A small electric microneedling “pen” is used to penetrate the epidermis dermis to induce the body to bring in new collagen, elastin and nutrients to the skin. The needling pen causes tiny micro-injuries to the top layers of the skin and the body responds by bringing fibroblast cells, nutrition and growth factors to the area for healing and repair.

What are the benefits of Microneedling?

1. Improves skin texture and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

2. Dramatically increases the effectiveness of topical products/preparations to tighten and improve skin elasticity and appearance

3. Much more cost-effective than other surgical or chemical skin procedures

4. Can be used on all areas of the face, scalp and body including areas with thin or fragile skin (like around the eyes)

5. Can be performed on all skin types, all ages

6. Reduces pore size, one of the best treatments available for facial and acne scarring, improves the appearance of stretch marks, stimulates tissue regeneration, collagen production and circulation.

Who is this treatment for?

Microneedling can be used on ALL skin types (Fitzpatrick scale I-VI) and all ages. There are a few contraindications or reasons why microneedling might not be a good fit for everyone, but Dr. Lindsay will go over those contraindications in detail during your skin consultation before any treatment is performed.

How often can microneedling be used?

This depends on what KIND of microneedling treatment you are interested in! Basic microneedling can be done every 4-6 weeks and the effect is cumulative, meaning two treatments are better than one and three treatments are better than two. Dr. Lindsay typically recommends starting with three microneedling sessions each 4-6 weeks apart for maximum results. There are quite a few variations of microneedling that can provide incredible results with fewer treatments, some of those include (but are not limited to), radio frequency microneedling, PRP microneedling and microneedling with botox…these treatments depend on your health concerns and health goals. Dr. Lindsay can discuss all your options during your skin consultation.

What are the side effects and complications of microneedling?

Most patients do feel skin sensitivity/burning for 24-48 hours post-treatment, similar to moderate sunburn. Dr. Lindsay provides thorough instructions before, during, and after treatment to minimize discomfort and the possibility of adverse side effects.

The risks associated with microneedling are minimal and include redness and swelling most commonly. There is virtually no risk of post-inflammatory skin hyperpigmentation, which is why this procedure is so effective for every skin tone. Every precaution is taken before, during and after the procedure to minimize risk of skin infection, and within 1 hour after treatment, the micro injuries created by the needles have closed further preventing possible infection.

What does a Microneedling Treatment Look and Feel Like?

A session is typically 60-minutes long. When you arrive, your face will be cleaned and dried (no makeup please), a topical anesthetic lidocaine cream will be applied to all areas being treated. The lidocaine will be covered and left to soak into the skin for approximately 20 minutes. After all areas are appropriately numbed, Dr. Lindsay will apply an HA (hyaluronic acid) serum to your face to help the microneedling pen glide easily over the treatment area. The microneedling will take approximately 20-30 minutes and the area will be cleaned and dried afterward.

During the microneedling portion of your treatment, the “pen” makes some noise and feels like a vibration or gentle scratching, it is usually very well tolerated by patients of all ages and skin types. After the treatment is finished, the skin will be pink or red and sensitive (as if you had a moderate sunburn). This redness/sensitivity usually lasts 24-48 hours. After 3-4 days, there may be some minor dryness/flaking of the skin and it will feel tight. Don’t worry, this is all normal and Dr. Lindsay has a detailed post-treatment aftercare protocol complete with the appropriate skincare products for you to use at home.