Micro-Needling

What do acne scarring, wrinkles, and stretch marks have in common? Although these skin issues occur for different reasons, collagen is the common thread. Collagen is the ingredient that plumps up the skin and makes it appear youthful.

The amount of collagen in the skin can be lost through through the aging process or damage to the skin such as acne infections, folliculitis, and sun damage.

By pricking the skin, its response is to become inflammed and produce collagen as part of the healing cycle. Microneedling damages the skin on a minor scale with the end result being increased collagen production -- smoother, youthful looking skin.

To enhance the microneedling process, serums are applied to the skin. The active ingredients in these skin care products can work below the surface of the skin for an even better result.

Is Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT) painful?

Using a topical anesthetic will eliminate most of the pain. You should only feel some pressure.

Are there any risks with Collagen Induction Therapy?

In comparison to laser resurfacing, there is significantly less risk. CIT is safe for darker skin vs. laser resurfacing which is not recommended for darker skin tones.

The pin prick insertion marks heal very quickly without damaging the surface layers of skin. It's possible to have a 1000% increase in collagen production.

Of course, your outcome has a lot to do with how closely you follow the aftercare protocol.

What is the expected down time?

Normal healing time is 1-4 days; however, skin rollers (24 hours or less) have a shorter healing time than digital machines (4 days). Following the aftercare protocol will speed healing time.

What will my skin look like after the procedure?

If your skin is treated with a CIT machine, it will look like cat scratches. If a roller is used, the skin will appear to be sunburned.

How soon can I return to work?

Many people have the procedure on Thursday, take Friday off, and return to work on Monday.

How soon can I wear makeup?

Once you are healed. At the end of the healing period there may be some redness that can be camouflaged with mineral makeup.

Other than erythema -- redness of the skin -- there are no reported side effects from micro-needling. As the tiny holes close almost immediately, postoperative infections don't occur. The procedure is cost effective when compared to treatment with lasers and can be done on all skin types. Micro-needling can also be combined with other treatments such as chemical peels and microdermabrasion to maximize the benefits of the treatment.

If you have not had success reducing the look of deep acne scars or wrinkles, micro-needling may be a good choice for you. The cost is affordable compared to other procedures, the recovery time minimal, and the risk is much less than that of other more invasive treatments. Best of all, the results are permanent.