MICRONEEDLING

What is microneedling?

Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure for your skin. Your esthetician uses thin needles to make tiny holes (micro-injuries) in the top layer of your skin. The damage helps stimulate your skin’s healing process, so it produces more collagen and elastin. These proteins keep your skin firm, smooth, & even-toned.

Most people get microneedling on their face, but you can also get it on your legs, back, neck or other areas where you notice damaged or aging skin. You may need multiple treatments to achieve your desired results.

Price: $150

What can microneedling help with?

  • Enlarged pores

  • Fine lines or wrinkles

  • Loose or crepey (thin and wrinkled) skin

  • Mild scars, especially those from acne or burns

  • Skin discoloration or uneven skin tone.

  • Stretch Marks

  • Keloid scars

  • Active eczema

  • Psoriasis and other chronic conditions

  • History of actinic or solar keratosis

  • Herpes Simplex

  • Hemophilia, blood clotting problems (ie poor wound healing)

  • Immunosuppression

  • Active bacterial or fungal infections

  • Women who are pregnant or nursing

  • Undergoing chemotherapy or immunotherapy

  • Anticoagulants / Blood thinners (including but limited to Warfarin or aspirin)

  • Nickel or stainless steel allergy

  • Long term use of Prednisone and other steroid medications (treatment will increase inflammation)

Contraindications

Conditions that need a doctors letter to confirm the treatment is suitable before treatments can begin:

  • Transplant Anti-Rejection Drug

  • Heart Disease

  • Hypertension (High blood pressure treated with medication)

  • Cancer - after 12 months

  • Insulin Dependent Diabetes

The list below is of things that require a waiting period until you can start treatments (wait until completely healed & clear)

  • Active bacterial, fungal or viral skin infection of any type in the area to be treated

  • Active Herpes – cold sores — (even if inactive take antiviral medication 2 weeks pre and post treatment (peels & needling)

  • Warts in area to be treated

  • Sunburn in the treatment area

  • Inflammation

  • Open lesion on area to be treated

Waiting times for specific procedures (on area to be treated)

  • Recent facial operations - At least 3 months post surgery

  • Isotretinoin (e.g. Roaccutane) - 6 - 12 months post treatment

  • Tattooing / Cosmetic Tattooing – 3 months

  • IPL / Laser hair removal – 2 weeks

  • IPL skin treatments - 2 weeks

  • Laser Resurfacing/Ablative – 8 weeks

  • Strong chemical peels - PH lower than 3.1. – wait 2 weeks

  • Botulinum Toxin - 2 weeks

  • Dermal Fillers – Hyaluronic Acid & Vital Hydrate – 2 weeks

  • Dermal Fillers - Sculptra & Radiesse - 6 week

Pre-care

Stop using/taking 1 week before commencing treatments:

  • Fish Oils / Plant oils / Omega 3s

  • Ginseng / Gingko Biloba / St Johns Wart

  • Retinoids

  • Topical antibiotics

  • Exfoliants and/or AHA or BHA

  • Benzoyl peroxide / adapelene (Differin)

  • Hydroquinone / kojic acid / azelaic acid

  • Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen. These will interfere with the natural inflammatory process that is critical for your skin rejuvenation.

  • Waxing or depilatory creams on the area to be treated

    *Note: Psoriasis and other dermatosis that can be koebnerized, can potentially be triggered by needling even if they have been quiescent for years.

On the day of your appointment:

Please wash your face with a gentle cleanser and do not wear any lotion, perfume, or serums when you go to your appointment. If you are wearing make-up that day, please remove makeup before your appointment.

Post-care

Recovery times:

  • 60 minutes: Reddening and possible post bleeding

  • Up to 24 hours: Erythema (reddening or rash like appearance) , Petechiae (pinpoint, round spots), minor oedema (swelling)

  • 1-2 days: Mild erythema , petechiae, reduced edema, minor itching, dry/tight sensation.

  • 2-3 days Reduced erythema, fading petechiae, dissipated oedema, reduced itching, minor skin flaking

  • 3-4 days: Potential dryness

  • 4-5 days: Mostly recovered with normal function

  • 3 weeks: Improved pigmentation begins

  • 4+ weeks: Improvements in lines, wrinkles and scarring begins

Please avoid the following activities for up to 2 days following a microneedling clinical procedure:

  • Direct ultra violet exposure (sun and sunbeds)

  • Intensive cardio, exercise or gym regimens

  • Excessively hot showers, bathing, spas or sauna

  • Swimming in chlorinated pools or the ocean

  • Tattooing (including cosmetic tattooing)

  • Further clinical treatments (including, but not limited to): microdermabrasion, laser, intense pulsed light, chemical peels, muscle relaxant injections and dermal fillers) should be avoided for up to two weeks

Please avoid the use of skin care products containing any of the following active resurfacing ingredients for up to 5 days following a microneedling clinical procedure:

  • Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) (including but not limited to) glycolic, lactic or malic acid

  • Beta hydroxy acid (BHA) including salicylic acid

  • Benzoyl peroxide

  • Retinoids (including but not limited to) tretinoin, retinol and retinaldehyde •

  • Hydroquinone

  • High levels of Kojic or azelaic acid

  • Alcohol (including but not limited to) isopropyl alcohol/de-natured alcohol/rubbing alcohol

  • Do not apply spray tans or fake tan creams for 2-3 weeks after the treatment

Home Care

For the first 1-3 days the skin may feel tight and dry. Frequent use of post session topical will help with this.

  • Light, non-occlusive and non-comedogenic make-up may be applied 24 hours post-procedure and a SPF is advised for at least 3 days after your treatment.

  • After 2-3 days you can return to your regular skin care products with the exclusion of the products listed above

  • Low does Vitamin A products are recommended

  • Avoid direct sunlight and always wear SPF30 or above. Do not apply a chemical sunscreen the same day as the treatment, only approved physical defense sunscreen can be used.

  • Microneedling serves to stimulate collagen and the skin can benefit from higher amounts of collagen then normal to have optimal results. Collagen stimulating peptides assist in this process.

  • It’s important to hydrate before and after the procedure to help skin heal and rejuvenate faster.

  • Gently exfoliate the skin after 3-5 days to remove flaky skin that can form after the treatment.

  • Omega 3, Zinc & glucosamine oral supplements can help with your treatment results

 FAQs

  • You will be numbed for 30 minutes before we begin the treatment, so there should be minimal to no discomfort.

  • The process is an hour to an hour and a half long.

  • In the days and weeks after microneedling, you might notice that your skin burns or feels tight. Some people also have dry, flaking skin that improves with moisturizer.

    Most people need multiple microneedling treatments, usually about 4 weeks to 8 weeks apart. It can take 3­ months to 6 months to see results. Afterward, you might need the procedure once a year for maintenance.

  • Redness, swelling, burning, mild bruising and skin sensitivity, which can last 1-3 days.

    Mild swelling is expected immediately following the treatment and generally calms within 24 hours, but can persist longer. There may also be some mild to moderate peeling or flaking of the skin noticed after the treatment. Clients may experience significant redness in the treatment area for up to 3-7 days after treatment. This redness may persist longer in treatment areas other than the face. As with any treatments, the response, results and healing after a microneedling treatment varies with each individual and a specific outcome is not guaranteed.