Microneedling can boost your skin’s collagen and elastin production at remarkable rates. That’s why this minimally invasive treatment works well for many skin issues, like acne scars, dark spots, large pores, and wrinkles.
However, is it the right treatment for you? From describing its working mechanism to what happens during treatment, this article could help you decide. You’ll also learn how combining it with other treatments can improve your results.
Understanding Microneedling Treatment Basics
Microneedling works by creating controlled skin injuries that trigger natural healing. Tiny, sterilized needles make microscopic punctures in the skin and activate the body’s wound-healing response. The skin releases proteins called growth factors to rebuild and rejuvenate skin tissue.
How Microneedling Works
The treatment creates micro-channels in your skin that boost collagen and elastin production. These proteins are the foundations of your skin’s youthful appearance, giving it a firm, smooth, and stretchy texture. Research through histological examinations shows that skin treated with microneedling can see up to 400% more collagen and elastin deposits within six months after treatment.
The Treatment Experience
Your treatment starts with a topical anesthetic that stays on your skin for 45 to 60 minutes to keep you comfortable. Your healthcare provider at Beauty Vault Med Spa in Los Angeles will clean the treatment area with antiseptic solution, after which they will gently stretch your skin and move the microneedling device in multiple directions for even treatment coverage.
Most sessions take 15 to 20 minutes to complete, depending on the area being treated. You might notice some pinpoint bleeding, which shows the treatment has reached the right depth. Your skin may look red and slightly swollen after the procedure, but these effects usually fade within two to three days.
Key Benefits of Microneedling
Microneedling offers exceptional benefits that go way beyond simple skin improvement. Research shows this treatment can boost collagen and elastin levels substantially, which results in visible improvements in skin quality.
Skin Rejuvenation Results
By improving the skin’s natural healing abilities, microneedling helps patients see up to 51-60% improvement in their overall skin appearance. The treatment creates thicker, tauter skin by increasing elastic skin fibers and improves the formation of dermal papillae, which results in better skin texture and tone.
Treatment for Acne Scars and Texture
This treatment shows great promise to deal with several skin concern, including:
- Post-acne facial atrophic scars
- Uneven skin texture
- Enlarged pores
- Stretch marks
- Surgical scars
- Burn marks
Studies show microneedling can improve skin texture by 40-50%. The treatment works exceptionally well for rolling and boxcar scars, though it’s not as effective for ice-pick scars.
Addressing Signs of Aging
Skin naturally loses collagen with age, which affects its appearance and elasticity. Microneedling helps reorganize old collagen fibers and encourages greater development of new collagen, elastin, and capillaries.
Preparing for Your Microneedling Session
The right preparation is a vital part of getting optimal results from your microneedling treatment.
Original Consultation Process
To begin, your Beauty Vault Med Spa practitioner will perform a detailed skin evaluation, which includes assessing your skin condition and reviewing your complete medical history. They will get into your skin for open lesions, active infections, or other conditions that might affect treatment safety. Finally, they’ll discuss your skincare goals and create a customized treatment plan.
Pre-Treatment Guidelines
Your Beauty Vault provider will create specific preparation instructions based on your skin type and current routine. However, these are generally good rules to follow:
- Stop using Accutane/isotretinoin for at least six months before treatment
- Discontinue retinoids, topical antibiotics, and exfoliants 72 hours before the procedure
- Avoid blood thinners and anti-inflammatory medications for three days before treatment
- Pause auto-immune therapies 24 hours before the session
Your skin needs to stay calm and protected before treatment. You should avoid direct sun exposure for at least 24 hours beforehand. The treatment also requires you to tell your provider about any history of cold sores, as they may prescribe antiviral medications.
How to Be Ready for Your Appointment
Here’s what you need to do before coming to your appointment:
- Remove all makeup, lotions, and skincare products
- Clean and wash your skin.
- Avoid applying sunscreen or perfume to the treatment area
- Shave dense facial hair the day before (not the day of) your appointment
- Bring any prescribed medications your provider recommended
Also, your Beauty Vault provider needs to know about any changes in your medical history or current medications.
Recovery and Aftercare
Proper aftercare is a vital part to get the best results from your microneedling treatment. Your skin needs special attention and care during its natural healing process.
Immediate Post-Treatment Care
Your skin may look red and feel like a mild sunburn after treatment. To soothe the treated area, your provider will apply a hyaluronic mask for five to ten minutes and then apply a moisturizer.
These precautions help support proper healing in the first 24 hours:
- Avoid strenuous exercise or activities that cause sweating.
- Skip hot showers, saunas, and steam rooms.
- Do not apply makeup or other cosmetic products.
- Apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen every 2 hours outdoors.
- Keep your hands away from the treated area.
- Use only prescribed or recommended skincare products.
Your skin might feel tight, dry, and sensitive to touch. Some patients notice small bruising that can last five to seven days. Swelling and other effects that usually go away within two to four days.
Long-Term Skin Protection
Wear protective clothing and avoid direct sunlight for at least two weeks to prevent unwanted pigmentation.
Peeling might start three to five days after treatment because of increased skin cell turnover. Do not pick or scratch the treated skin. Keep your skin moisturized with hyaluronic serum and recommended growth factors instead.
Keep your skin hydrated between treatments by drinking enough water and using recommended moisturizers. Additionally, avoid the following:
- Retinoids and vitamin A products for seven days
- Chemical peels for 14 days
- Harsh toners or exfoliants for at least seven days
You can return to your regular skincare routine once skin irritation goes away.
Follow-up Treatment Schedule
Many patients see continued skin improvement for months after their last treatment. The best results come from follow-up treatments every four to six weeks. You might need three to five treatments based on your individualized care plan. Regular check-ins with your Beauty Vault provider help monitor your progress and adjust your treatment plan when needed.
Combining Microneedling with Other Treatments
Medical professionals can improve microneedling results by combining it with other aesthetic treatments. This versatile procedure works well with complementary therapies to tackle multiple skin issues at once.
Compatible Procedures
These treatment combinations work best:
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP): Creates a powerful rejuvenation effect by applying concentrated growth factors from your blood through the microchannels
- Radiofrequency (RF) Energy: Delivers heat deep into the skin through microneedles to target skin tightening
- Chemical Peels: Work best when applied 4-6 weeks before microneedling to prepare the skin for better regeneration
- Botox Applications: Work well after microneedling to smooth fine lines around eyes, forehead wrinkles, and other facial concerns
Your skin becomes more receptive to topical treatments right after microneedling. Serums and skincare products can penetrate better through the microchannels. Your Beauty Vault provider will create a detailed timeline so treatments complement each other rather than cause problems.
Visit Beauty Vault Med Spa in Los Angeles for Microneedling
You deserve healthy and beautiful skin to enhance both your health and self-esteem. Beauty Vault in Los Angeles, CA, is staffed with experienced professionals whose skills in microneedling are matched by their commitment to your satisfaction. To schedule a consultation with a qualified microneedling technician, call their office today at (323) 800-6770 or fill out a contact form.
FAQs
Q1. How does microneedling work to improve skin? Microneedling creates tiny punctures in the skin, triggering the body’s natural healing response. This process stimulates collagen and elastin production, which can lead to firmer, smoother skin and improvements in various skin concerns such as acne scars, uneven texture, and signs of aging.
Q2. How long does a microneedling session take, and what’s the recovery time? A typical microneedling session lasts between 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the treatment area. Most patients experience minimal downtime, with redness and mild swelling subsiding within 2-3 days. Many can return to normal activities immediately after treatment.
Q3. Can microneedling be combined with other skin treatments? Yes, microneedling can be effectively combined with other treatments like Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP), radiofrequency energy, chemical peels, and Botox. These combinations can enhance results and address multiple skin concerns simultaneously. Your provider will create a customized treatment plan based on your specific needs.
