How it works: Micro needling utilizes tiny needles that are applied to the skin with gentle pressure or pulses, creating thousands of micro dermal wounds. These micro dermal injuries send a signal to the skin to kick start the healing process, increasing collagen production and promoting healthy skin cell turnover. Because this process relies on a healthy skin response, it is best used on younger patients who are likely to have a faster cell renewal cycle.
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Pros and cons: Depending on needle depth, micro needling often affords a quick recovery time, from a couple days to a week.
Skin may appear slightly sun burnt and beauty products or makeup application should be avoided prior to scabbing, meaning this may not be the best treatment for patients with busy schedules.
Finally, micro needling is best used to achieve less, targeted, all-over results and will require multiple sessions to obtain an optimal outcome.
Contraindications: Because the treatment does not utilize heat, it is generally safe for all skin types, with three significant contraindications being active acne breakouts, a high level of active inflammation, and any active skin infections. Having said that, it’s important to consider more than a patient’s skin color when assessing protocols; ethnicity, past and current health records, and even history of sun exposure are other factors that can weigh in on your decision. In all cases, test spots are imperative.
