The Down-Low on Microneedling

When it comes to skincare, you’ll find that there are a ton of fads. You see a procedure being done on social media a few too many times and you begin to think that you have to get it done for yourself. This is what happened with microneedling. Everyone started seeing videos on their Instagram timeline or heard beauty influencers talking about their latest microneedling procedure. And out of this, a fad was born.

Skincare junkies started buying at home needling tools. They began scheduling appointments with their dermatologists or estheticians. Even so, most people had no idea what microneedling really was, and that’s still true for many of those who say they want to get the procedure done. Before you jump into the fad, here’s the lowdown on microneedling.

In skincare, we’re all looking for the fountain of youth. We all want to spend the rest of our lives looking like our 20 or 30-year-old selves and while keeping your body in shape has a lot to do with it, your skincare matters even more. You could be in the best shape of your life, but your skin can easily age you. The older you get, the less collagen your body produces.

Collagen is a protein that works to strengthen the skin, but once production slows down, you begin to see the clear signs of aging – fine lines, wrinkles and sagging. Microneedling works to act against this and boost collagen production.

What is microneedling?The name should already give you an idea of what it is. On a tool called a microneedle, there are a series of small needles that puncture the skin. While this can sound daunting, especially to those who flinch at the word “needle,” it’s less invasive than you think. The magic isn’t behind the tool, but it’s behind our skin itself.

When you injure your skin, it heals itself and that’s what a microneedling procedure is counting on. The small needles puncture the skin just enough to promote its healing processes which include collagen production. What this procedure is hoping to do is induce enough collagen production to help combat those fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin. While this is how the process works, what can you expect before and after?

One of the biggest concerns for most people is, does microneedling hurt?Well if you think about the fact that it’s a series of needles puncturing the skin, you can assume it does. Before running away in fear, it will help to know that the areashould be numbed before the treatment begins. Although it is minimally invasive, you might experience discomfort after the numbing cream wears off, but it won’t or shouldn’t be anything like a sharp pain.

If you get past the idea of the procedure, you’d then be left to find someone to actually perform it. Although minimally invasive, microneedling is stillinvasive meaning that something is entering the body (i.e. needles). Due to this, the onlypeople who should be performing your treatment is a dermatologist or a licensedesthetician. The reason we have to stress licensed is because not every esthetician is legally or medically trained to perform this procedure. This is a reminder to make sure the person performing your microneedling procedure is physically trained to do so!

After the treatment, you might wonder what to do. Your doctor or esthetician will likely prescribe you with a growth serum to help boost the collagen production and regrowth of your skin. After the procedure, it’s best to stay away from harsh chemicals like alcohols while remembering to keep the skin hydrated.

Luckily for you, microneedling can cause an instant change in your skin! You’ll notice that your skin has a healthy glow and you’ll even notice it looking fuller and firmer due to the collagen production. After seeing your skin like that, you’ll probably wonder how often you can get the treatment done. Once you find your skincare professional, they’ll discuss this with you on a case by case basis. While it is suitable for some to get treatments every few months, extreme cases might require monthly visits. It all depends on your situation, but your licensed professional will help you come up with a regimen that works for you.

Whether this has convinced you towards or away from microneedling, you probably can’t move any further without knowing the cost, right? The treatments can range anywhere from $100 to $700 depending on the area. While it is common to have this performed on the face, microneedling can be done almost anywhere on the body to promote collagen production.

While it’s true that microneedling has almost become a fad, no one can refute that the treatments actually work! It’s up to you to decide if it’s a procedure for you. Just make sure that you have a licensed professional ready to do the treatments and watch your skin improve before your eyes!