A Licensed Aesthetician Shares 3 Microneedling Mistakes to Avoid

Microneedling, or collagen induction therapy, can help to alleviate many skin concerns, including acne scarring, stretch marks, sagging skin, sun damage and discoloration, dull or blemished skin, enlarged pores, and more. Today we’re explaining how it works and giving key tips for successful treatment!

How microneedling works

As we age, the epidermis, the outermost layer of skin, naturally becomes thinner and we produce less and less collagen. Microneedling uses tiny, hair-like needles to create “micro injuries” in the skin surface, and this signals your body to flood your skin with natural collagen for a fresher, brighter, and smoother complexion. The “injuries” are not visible to the naked eye and do not cause scarring.

According to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, because microneedling doesn’t use heat, lasers, or chemicals, it is generally safe for all skin types. And, per a review published in Dermatologic Surgery, microneedling’s “expedient post-treatment recovery, limited side effect profile, and significant clinical results” make it “a valuable alternative to more invasive procedures such as laser skin resurfacing and deep chemical peeling.”

However, to get ideal microneedling results, it is essential that it is performed by an experienced medical spa services provider who will put your safety first. Here are licensed aesthetician Crystal Shaffer’s 3 tips for avoiding a bad microneedling experience:

Tip 1: Give your skin time to heal between treatments

Your skin needs time to heal for collagen production to increase. Thus, for best results, treatments should be done in 4-6 week intervals.

Enthusiastic microneedling patients often ask me, “but why do I need to wait this long between microneedling treatments when my skin looks and feels fine?” Though you will not require down-time as you might with chemical or laser skin peels, which more significantly affect the surface of the skin, your skin is doing a lot of work beneath the surface without you realizing it: microneedling stimulates the growth of natural collagen and elastin, and the main goal of this treatment is actually to stimulate this post-procedure rejuvenation.

So be patient, and in the weeks following your treatment, you will see gradual development of an improved tightness, more even skin tone, and a healthy glow.

Tip 2: Go to a professional who uses an FDA-cleared microneedling device

It is imperative to stick with professional medical microneedling⁠—and completely avoid the risks of at-home microneedling. At home, you’ll only be putting yourself at risk of infection, while never seeing the results that are possible with an advanced medical microneedling device. Another pitfall of at-home microneedling treatment is that rolling microneedling devices tend to drag and tear the skin, leading to unwanted surface damage.

Here at Cosmetic Surgery Center in Little Rock, we use the very first FDA-cleared device for microneedling, SkinPen. The first way in which SkinPen differs from at-home microneedling rollers is that it uses a very precise, controlled up and down “stamping” motion to create straight, consistent micro-injuries which heal faster, do less damage to your skin’s surface, and deliver greater benefits.

According to Yale Medicine, professional devices can also safely go deeper than at-home devices, reaching the next layer of skin, the dermis, for heightened results. Our SkinPen indeed allows us to precisely control the depth of the needle based on the individual patient’s skin type, areas being treated, and the reason for seeking treatment.

Lastly, SkinPen uses disposable needles to ensure treatment is always sanitary, and the tip is designed for more precise treatment of facial contours.

Tip 3: Be cautious with skin and makeup products

Though potential side effects of microneedling are minor for most patients, immediately following your microneedling treatment the treated area will experience irritation and redness equivalent to a minor sunburn that should clear up in the next day or two. In order to not exacerbate this effect, we will recommend avoiding makeup and certain products the day of your microneedling treatment as well as the day after.

While this may seem overly cautious, certain products are not meant to interact with live skin cells and can cause inflammation and even scarring if applied during microneedling, such as retinol or Vitamin A. Exfoliation and harsh products intended to renew the surface of the skin should additionally be avoided for some time after microneedling.

While you must be cautious and only apply products once your medical aesthetician has given you the OK, sunscreen will be imperative post microneedling treatment! The treated area will be more sensitive to the sun and you’ll need to religiously apply high-quality SPF to ensure best results.

Learn more about microneedling at Cosmetic Surgery Center in Little Rock

When it comes to your Little Rock microneedling treatment, don’t compromise! Double board-certified cosmetic surgeon Dr. Rhys Branman is a member of the Arkansas state medical board with over 30 years of experience. He and his team of certified aestheticians at Exhale the Med Spa at Little Rock Cosmetic Surgery Center  will take time to understand your goals and take every measure to ensure your safety, comfort, and happiness with your skin treatment results. To begin, call our friendly staff at 501-227-0707 or contact us online today.