Microneedling

Micro-needling is a simple procedure using a hand-held device to stimulate fibroblasts in your own dermis to create collagen and elastin by using ultra-fine ‘microneedles’. With increased collagen and elastin, your skin will have more volume and resilience improving skin complexion and tone for a smoother overall appearance. This is why micro-needling is also called “Collagen Induction Therapy.”

Why Dermapen?

There are three major competitors in microneedling. DSI chose to partner with Dermapen as it was the only corded device and was the most studied in medical journals. Furthermore, the adjustable depth hand piece easily allows changing depths to fully customize the results to each patient and at each site treated. The other competitors have a‘wireless’ rechargeable device that sounds great for mobility but there has been documented decreased power in the rotations per minute after a few uses which could impact the treatment parameters and reliability. With a wired power supply, there are always consistent, repeatable, and reliable results.

What can Micro-needling treat?

What is the difference between Micro-needling and everything else?

Microdermabrasion, superficial chemical peels and Dermaplaning treat the epidermis, the most superficial millimeter of skin. These procedures areultra-safe and yield nice results but will only treat epidermal problems like dry skin, age spots, superficial discoloration, and will typically create a smoother complexion. All of which, may be the goal for you and your skin concerns but these procedures will NOT improve scars, stretch marks, deep wrinkles or dermal pigment deposition. Collagen is produced with dermal stimulation, around 1mm of depth or more. Depending upon the treatment location since skin is thinner on the eyelids and thicker on the back for example. Micro-needling is adjustable so it can treat only the epidermis at 0.5mm or it can penetrate into the deeper dermis at 2.5mm and is the safest dermal treatment on the market today.

Lasers and deep chemical peels can treat the epidermis and dermis as well, depending on the modality and technique used, but these have a significantly higher risk of heat-damage along with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (Reference). Heat when used properly, can yield great results in the right setting and skin type. Plasma-pen is another dermal stimulating device that uses plasma to tighten the skin. Plasma pen has truly AMAZING results on certain areas, such as the eyelids, neck, and forehead but there is downtime. Redness lasts for about one week, which is nearly double that of micro-needling. Micro-needling has almost ZERO reported side effects. Hyperpigmentation has been rarely reported when patients were outside for long periods of time without sunscreen right after the procedure. Therefore, we recommend sun screen daily and strict sun avoidance for at least two weeks post procedure. Since micro-needling does NOT use heat, it is the only treatment listed that can be safely used on ALL skin types.

How many Micro-Needling treatments will I need?

Depends upon the individual and skin condition but most patients will sufficiently resurface their skin and stimulate dermal collagen after 3 Medical Micro-needling procedures. For this reason, we often run discount packages of three bundled procedures. However, many patients have deep lines, atrophic acne scars and dermal pigment which maytake up to 6 treatments to sufficiently improve. Sessions can be done every 2-4 weeks apart. Skin hydration and sun protection are vital for an optimal outcome. We recommend a hydrofacial two weeks after microneedling to maximize skin hydration. Many dermatologists will do a microneedling session annually as a refresher treatment each year.