Maybe you heard your favourite celebrity or influencer mention microneedling on social media, or your regular salon started offering it as a new service and you were interested to learn more.
If you like to stay up-to-date on the latest skincare technology or you’ve been struggling to find something that works for a particular issue, you may be wondering what exactly this newer treatment is and what it can treat.
What is Microneedling?
Microneedling involves pricking the skin with lots of very tiny needles – typically this is done with a special roller-like tool or a microneedling attachment for facial devices like Morpheus facial.
These tiny wounds created by the needles trigger your body to produce more elastin and collagen to heal which results in firmer, smoother and sometimes younger looking skin.
Unlike cosmetic surgery, microneedling is minimally invasive and requires no downtime.
The procedure itself will take about 30 minutes to an hour, and aside from some irritation, you will be okay to resume your regular activities afterwards.
Your skin will be more sensitive as it heals, however, so sunscreen and avoiding too much sun will be important.
What Can Microneedling Treat?
Microneedling may have gained a lot of popularity for it’s anti-aging results, but microneedling can help with a variety of skin issues. This includes:
- Acne
- Hyperpigmentation
- Reduced elasticity
- Enlarged pores
- Scars/stretch marks
- Sun damage
- Fine lines & wrinkles
- Uneven skin tone
- Some cases of hair loss
If you struggle with any of these conditions, microneedling may be beneficial for you.
If you’re looking for microneedling in Markham, book a consultation to discuss your concerns and desired outcomes and have a trained professional help determine if microneedling is right for you.
Who Can Benefit From It?
Microneedling has been considered by some to be the last step before cosmetic surgery, so in many cases the people that benefit from it have exhausted all other options.
For example, if you’ve struggled with acne for most of your life and have found little to no success with medications, topicals, peels, etc. microneedling may be an option for you.
Additionally, recent research has shown that microneedling may be able to stimulate dormant hair follicles resulting in new hair growth for those with some types of hair loss (alopecia).
If you’re struggling with a skin issue that doesn’t seem to respond to more conservative treatments, consider booking a consultation with a trained professional to determine if microneedling is something you may benefit from.
Are there risks?
Interested in giving microneedling a try? Microneedling is considered generally safe for most healthy people, but as with many other skincare treatments, it does come with some risks.
Microneedling may cause bleeding, bruising, irritation, peeling and in rare cases – infection.
It also increases sun sensitivity making you more prone to sunburns and sun damage so sunscreen must be worn while healing and you should limit your time outdoors.
There are some cases where microneedling is not recommended, this includes:
- Those that are pregnant
- Those seeking treatment in areas with certain skin conditions (e.g. rosacea, eczema, psoriasis)
- Open wounds and scrapes
- Recent treatment for cancer (radiation)
- History of scarring
As always, it’s best to discuss your health history with a microneedling professional before booking an appointment to insure there are no contraindications and to ask any questions you may have pertaining to the risks of microneedling.
What about home microneedling?
Home microneedling may be tempting due to the smaller price tag but is it really worth it?
While some benefits have been reported with regular home microneedling, you’re unlikely to get the results you would by having a professional treatment. Results from home microneedling will also take longer to appear.
While home microneedling is generally safe, there are more precautions you need to take when performing it at home.
You will be puncturing your skin after all, so proper sanitization of the roller before and after treatments is essential to avoid infection and other unwanted effects.
The procedure will also still be painful, but how painful will depend on your personal tolerance and aggressiveness of the treatment.
Just like professional treatments, before microneedling at home you should talk to a professional or doctor to determine if it’s safe for you as the contraindications for professional treatment will generally be the same for at home.
If you do perform at home microneedling, be sure to take the same precautions after your treatment by wearing sunscreen and limiting sun exposure.
If you notice any bruising, peeling, excessive irritation, etc. see your doctor or dermatologist.
Conclusion
If you’ve been on the fence about trying microneedling or you’re fed up with not getting the results you want from other skincare treatments, speak to a trained professional to see if microneedling is right for you.
With new research coming out to support the benefits for certain hard to treat conditions, this treatment is sure to be a popular choice at spas, salons and dermatologists for years to come.
Hi, I’m Eleena Wills. Being a writer and blogger, I strive to provide informative and valuable articles to people. With quality, constructive, and well-researched articles, one can make informed choices. I cover a wide range of topics, from Health, Beauty and Fashion.