Overview:

It is a cosmetic procedure that involves pricking the skin with tiny sterilized needles. The small wounds cause your body to make more collagen and elastin, which heal your skin and help you look younger. You might also hear it called collagen induction therapy.

Microneedling Benefits

Microneedling may help with issues like:

• Acne
• Hair loss also called alopecia
• Dark spots or patches on your skin (hyperpigmentation)
• Large pores
• Reduced skin elasticity
• Scars
• Stretch marks
• Sun Damage
• Fine lines and wrinkles

Microneedling is less expensive than laser treatments, which can cost about four times as much. It may work better for people with darker skin tones because it doesn’t involve heat the way laser treatments do, which can affect your skin’s pigmentation or colour. Ask your dermatologist what’s best for your skin — and your budget.

What Happens When You Get Microneedling

• Dermatologists can do micro-needling. Aestheticians also do it. If you try it somewhere other than a doctor’s office, first check on the person’s experience and credentials, and make sure that all of the equipment is sterilized. There are do-it-yourself versions of micro-needling devices. But dermatologists warn against using those because you might accidentally hurt your skin, and you may not have a good way to sterilize the needles.
• The procedure usually takes 10-20 minutes, depending on how big the area is. Most people need 4-6 treatments to see a difference.
• First, you’ll get a numbing cream smoothed onto your face so you can’t feel the needle pricks. 

• Then the person doing the micro-needling will move a pen-shaped or rolling tool with tiny needles around your face. Your doctor may spread cream or serum on your face after that.
• The goal of the procedure is to start your body’s healing process by sending collagen and elastin to patch up the tiny injuries. Collagen helps fill in and smooth out wrinkles.
• Most people get micro-needling on the face, but it can also be done on other parts of the body, such as your stomach or thighs.

Microneedling Healing and Risks

Some things to think about before deciding to try it:

• It’s not a quick fix. It takes time to notice a difference. That’s because your body is healing itself. Most people need a few treatments before they see any change.
• Healing time: It may take days or weeks to heal, depending on how deep the needles pierce your skin.
• Pain and redness: You may have some minor pain after the procedure, and your skin may be red for a few days.
• Peeling. Your skin may feel tight and flake a bit while it heals.
• Bruising and bleeding: There’s usually no bleeding during micro-needling. But deep micro-needling treatments may cause the skin to bleed or bruise.
• Possible scarring: Microneedling isn’t a good idea for people who’ve had keloids, scars that look like large bubbles on the skin. It could make the condition worse.
• Infection: Microneedling creates tiny holes in the skin, which could let germs enter, especially if the equipment isn’t cleaned well. But the risk of infection is very low. If you’re healthy, an infection from micro-needling is unlikely.

Takeaway:

• Microneedling is generally a safe and effective procedure that can improve the appearance of the skin. It may reduce wrinkles, diminish scarring, and tighten or rejuvenate loose or ageing skin.
• While home micro needling is widely accessible and more comfortable than the professional version, home treatments will not provide the same results and may increase the risk of side effects.
• Anyone interested in micro-needling should consult a dermatologist or doctor who is specially trained and experienced in these types of procedures.

Myths vs Facts:

Myth 1: Microneedling is Just an Anti-Aging Treatment

Fact: Though it’s an effective way to get rid of your wrinkles, micro-needling is also a useful way to reduce or eliminate the appearance of scars as well as sun-damaged or loose skin. 

Myth 2: You Can Microneedle at Home

Fact: This is a risk not worth taking. Despite claims that you can replicate the same results at home, you really can’t. The do-it-yourself devices sold in stores aren’t the same as the equipment used in a medical spa – the needles are shorter – so no matter how hard you try, you won’t get the same outcome

Myth 3: MicroNeedling Creates Holes in the Skin

A flu shot doesn’t leave a mark on the arm, and the needle from your micro-needling procedure is no different in this regard. Your skin is indeed being punctured repeatedly, but there will be no visible sign of this later. The procedure may leave you with some redness and swelling that will go away after a few days of recovery, but there’s no reason to fear permanent scarring or damage.

Myth 4: It’s a Painful Procedure

Fact: To be fair, sticking hundreds of needles into your face does sound painful in theory, so it’s no mystery how this became a myth. It’s not painful, though, because you’re working with specialists, and, again, the needle sizes are extremely fine and thin. During most procedures, a topical anaesthetic is applied to the face before treatment. This numbing agent reduces discomfort. The entire procedure takes about an hour to complete. 

Myth 5: It’s Unsafe

Fact: This is simply untrue. As with any procedure, there are possible side effects to micro-needling. However, these are usually mild and include things like acne flare-ups and swelling during the recovery phase. 

Myth 6: The Recovery Process is Long And Painful

Fact: Swelling and redness can be side effects of the procedure. Once the numbing agent wears off, your skin may feel a little dehydrated, and you may experience a bit of discomfort. However, it looks more painful – and sounds scarier in theory – than it is.

Myth 7: You Need Many Treatments to See a Difference

Fact: Usually, you can start to see improvements after just one session. They will be subtle, and it’s important to temper your expectations, but they’ll usually be noticeable and gradually improve over recurring sessions. Once your recovery time has ended, the results are in. Of course, it always depends on the person receiving the treatment in question. Some of us need more sessions than others. Three or four of them may be necessary for select individuals, while others may only need a single treatment.