Microneedling

Microneedling At A Glance

  • Best Results3-10 sessions
  • Treatment Recovery1-5 days
  • Procedure Time20 min
  • Skin SpecialistNurse, Dermal Therapist, Davin Lim
  • Duration of Results2 months +
  • AnaestheticCream
  • Back to Work1-5 days
  • Cost$

Microneedling

Microneedling is an entry-level procedure. It is a form of non-laser fractional skin therapy. Needling can help boost collagen, treat textural changes including fine wrinkles, enlarged pores & very mild acne scarring. We use a number of microneedling devices including Dermapen, Skinpen, Dermaroller, Dermastamp & energy-based devices including nanoneedle & RF microneedling. The correct device will depend on your skin concerns.

FactsFacts on Microneedling

  • Microneedling is a form of fractional non-laser resurfacing
  • Needling can either be a roller, stamper, digital Dermapen, or energy -based radiofrequency system
  • The depth of needles can be controlled by the device- ranging from 0.1 to 4.5 mm needles
  • Depth, passes & energy levels are adjusted, according to concerns
  • Needling can also help improve skin texture
  • Microneedling can reduce mild forms of acne scars
  • Newer treatments such as RF microneedling, nano-microneedles, & thermo-mechanical nano needling are more effective than non-energy based needling
  • Microneedling PRP can give better outcomes in some conditions

How can Microneedling improve skin concerns?

Skin needling or microneedling, including Dermapen, can treat conditions that occur under the skin’s surface, including

  • Acne scars & textural changes
  • Wrinkles & fine lines
  • Stretch marks- especially old ones (white in color)
  • Open pores / enlarged pores
  • Sun damage

Multiple treatments can also help with skin texture by decreasing fine lines, and skin pigmentation. Microneedling should not be used to treat melasma pigmentation as it can worsen pigmentation. I do not use microneedling to treat dark circles as the undereye area has very thin skin. This can lead to worsening of dark circles.

My most frequent indication of microneedling is dermal delivery of medications including intralesional corticosteroids & tranexamic acid.

microneedling-prp
Microneedling can deliver skin ‘actives’ & PRP, especially for the treatment of hair loss.

How does microneedling work?

Microneedling works on the basis of controlled micro-trauma. Once the skin’s upper epidermal layer is broken, skin cell release growth factors & cytokines. These molecules can stimulate cells to produce collagen, elastin & hyaluronic acid. Over a period of months, skin is rejuvenated. The result is an improvement in skin quality.

The downside with microneedling is that it does not provide controlled heating, unlike RF microneedling, Tixel & fractional lasers. Sustained heating results in much more collagen remodelling.

How many sessions of needling will I require?

3-5 sessions spaced 2-6 weeks apart. The number of sessions will depend on your skin condition, concerns, ethnicity as well as downtime.

When will I see the difference?

In some cases, after one session. Most patients will notice improvements over the following months as collagen is generated. As a guide you will notice bigger & faster gains with fractional lasers over microneedling. Laser resurfacing provides controlled heating. Microneedling does not.

Davin’s viewpoint on microneedling

Skin needling was the very first method of fractional skin resurfacing. This technique was first invented decades ago by tattooist to remove unwanted ink. Dermatologist then re-invented the tattoo gun with skin needling rollers. Over the years, rollers evolved into digital or electronically controlled hand held devices that provided vertical skin wounding via needles, rather than angled wounding (skin rollers). This device is called the Dermapen.

The question is – does skin needling actually work? Yes, it does, however more advanced equipment, coupled with clinical experience can deliver far superior results. Fractional devices such as pico lasers, 1927 thulium lasers, CO2 and Hybrid lasers deliver more predictable, safer & in many cases more cost-effective results.

rf-microneedling
This is the most important concept to grasp; if you have poor skin quality (sun damage), lasers are much better as we need to treat the upper layers of skin. RFM is only useful for mild to moderate skin laxity in the absence of photo damage.

Having said this, I still perform microneedling on a daily basis, either manually with a handheld needle, or with rollers, stamps & pen-devices. I do think they are great at creating a controlled injury to the upper layers of the dermis without the ablation or heat of lasers.

genius-rf
The two main indications of RF technology are; treatment of mixed acne scars, & treating skin laxity in the absence of photo damage.
rf-miconeedling-brisbane
Most patients require 2-4 sessions for optimal results. By combining laser, we can reduce the number of sessions to 1 or 2.
morpheus8
Settings matter. The top 3 RF devices have differences, however the main difference is the settings of each.

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