Microneedling
Microneedling Solutions at Liliana Laser Clinic
Microneedling may seem like an intimidating type of facial procedure, mainly because the word “needle” is in its name, but it’s become a proven treatment that’s considered more effective than other contemporary facial methods.
As all of us age, we also gradually decrease our elastin and collagen production levels, and the decrease of these vital skin proteins is what creates the typical array of aging signs. Microneedling, which is also referred to as collagen induction therapy, produces much longer-lasting results than traditional facial methods because you’re legitimately thickening your skin by building up collagen levels through the tiny injections.
Injections of any kind, when it comes to skincare, can of course seem rather intimidating, but if you take a look at any type of before-and-after shots, you’ll undoubtedly have a better understanding of just how effective microneedling is and the results it’s capable of producing.
This type of facial treatment is for those who are looking to get real, long-lasting results by reigniting personal collagen production so your skin can begin to heal all on its own.
We’ve taken on the liberty right here at the Liliana Laser Clinic to provide an entire crash course on microneedling, so you can now better determine if this type of treatment is right for you.
What is Microneedling?
Microneedling consists of a cosmetic tool called a dermaroller that has extremely tiny needles on the tip of the roller that can be adjusted from 0.5 to 2.5 millimeters long. The needles are essentially rolled across the most superficial layer of skin, the stratum corneum.
The micro-puncturing of the client’s skin is what catalyzes the collagen induction, and this is because your body will treat all facial wounds the same by sending fibroblasts into an affected area to increase collagen production and begin the general healing process. So you’re essentially tricking your body into thinking you’ve wounded your skin, but the end result is an improvement in skin texture.
A typical microneedling treatment appointment will consist of the doctor first applying a special growth factor serum all over the client’s cleansed face. Then the serum is slowly needled in as the doctor applies several layers of micro-punctures through the use of the dermaroller. Once the appropriate number of layers has been implemented, the doctor will then utilize a mask to seal everything in to ensure the treatment’s effectiveness.
Scalp Pigmentation
Anyone who is looking to enjoy having a younger appearance by essentially slowing down aging signs, or those who are looking to address their current signs of aging, should consider microneedling.
The treatment itself doesn’t involve heat, and it’s 100% mechanical, so it’s safe for all skin colors and types.
The only real drawback to being able to get microneedling performed on you is if you have an infected/inflamed area on the skin or if you’re undergoing a cystic acne breakout. Once these certain types of temporary symptoms are gone, it is then more appropriate to get a microneedling treatment.
What Issues can Microneedling Help Address?
Acne Scars, Wrinkles and Facial Lines
Reducing wrinkles of all shapes and sizes is a very popular reason why people get collagen induction therapy, and this same type of treatment is easily just as effective at eliminating the overall visibility of acne scars. Microneedling stimulates skin cell production, and this type of internal catalyst provides powerful solutions to the aging process and skin solutions for younger individuals as well!
Large Pores
Making a treated area’s pores appear smaller is one of the many benefits of microneedling, and this is because the collagen increase makes your pores essentially plump and significantly decreases in visibility.
Sun Damage
Microneedling is also known for helping reduce the effects that sun damage has on so many of us, and this includes hyperpigmentation and melasma. Collagen induction helps all types of skin issues that melasma can create.
Loose Skin
This is one of the major signs of aging, and microneedling is also well known for tightening up loose skin on top of all the other corrective benefits it has. It’s a great treatment that can help men and women who feel as though their skin has become loose or sagging in any way.
Some other skin issues microneedling treatment helps diminish include:
- Scarring
- Skin discoloration
- Clogged pores
Another great benefit of microneedling is that all topical skincare products tend to work much more effectively after this type of procedure. This is because topical products will be able to penetrate your skin much easier after following a microneedling treatment.
The micro-punctures act as channels that allow you to absorb the full benefits of all types of skin care products, and this procedure as a whole has blown up in popularity. This is partly because microneedling has little to no side effects and a minimal downtime.
Microneedling Has Become An Anti-Aging Industry Game Changer
Elastin and collagen are crucial proteins that help skincare industry clients of all types attain younger appearances. Collagen helps people’s skin become stronger, while elastin adds flexibility to skin, which allows it to more easily realign to its original, youthful texture.
Microneedling is quickly becoming one of the most popular anti-aging skincare treatments. Even magazines like Vogue are considering microneedling to be the next major skincare treatment trend for the entire industry.
One of the many reasons why microneedling is quickly becoming so popular is because more and more people interested in cosmetic procedures are vying for natural alternatives. Microneedling combines the mechanical side of skincare with the client’s own natural re-strengthening abilities, so it really is a fusion of the best of both worlds in the skincare universe!
Does it Hurt?
Microneedling should never hurt, especially given that your practitioner should numb the desired treatment area at the beginning of the procedure. The numbing cream does a really good job at helping doctors and practitioners go as deep as they need to with the micro-punctures, but clients should still expect their skin to be a little bit pink for a day or so afterwards.
At the very worst a client may have a few tiny marks that will fade away within a few days, and these are almost always painless.
Where can Microneedling be performed on the Body?
Microneedling isn’t a treatment that is exclusively for the facial area, and it can really be done just about anywhere on a client’s body that needs thickening. This can particularly help skin areas where there are stretch marks, so a client’s chest, legs, or butt are common areas.
Typically, when someone gets microneedling done on non-facial areas, it will take about 4 to 6 appointments to get the desired results.
How often can it be done?
This will always be different for each client and the extent of their desired results. If you have skin that is typically fine and you are doing your due diligence in terms of taking care of your skin, then you can utilize microneedling about every 3 to 6 months.
For some individuals who suffer from things like acne scarring it can be better to plan out each session on a monthly basis for about 4 to 6 consecutive months.
It’s also typical for clients to get yearly touch-up sessions after their desired results are originally met for quick skin revitalizations.
What to Expect For Your Initial Consultation
We ask that you make yourself prepared to talk about your medical history when you arrive for your initial consultation, and this can include things like a list of your past medications. We will also like to know about any type of herbal supplements or vitamins that you take on a regular basis.
It’s pretty self-explanatory that you should expect your face and overall skin to be examined during this appointment, but by going through this examination we’ll be beginning the customization of your microneedling treatment. There is also a good chance that we’ll discuss some of your other facial rejuvenation options during your initial consultation as well, which ultimately helps us ensure you’re getting the perfect treatment option.
Restrictions Before a Microneedling Appointment
It’s always best to avoid all types of self-tanning products for at least 48 hours before your treatment, and you must stop using all skincare products with vitamin A or retinol for at least 24 hours before a microneedling appointment.
It’s also best to generally avoid sun exposure, but if you do get sunburn before a microneedling appointment then you should give us a call so we can reschedule your treatment for a better time once the symptoms have subsided.
Another restriction involves those who have undergone isotretinoin treatment for acne. If you have undergone this type of treatment then you must wait at least six months before you can get microneedling, and this is because the isotretinoin disrupts the body’s healing abilities and can make microneedling less effective.
What to Expect During Your Microneedling Treatment
- Microneedling appointments will last around 30 minutes, but there are extenuating circumstances depending on the severity or overall size of the treatment area.
- When you first arrive at the Liliana Laser Clinic, you’ll be taken to a treatment room where you will relax in one of our treatment chairs.
- Your technician will then examine your face for any lesions or outbreaks, as well as skin infections of various types, and clarify which areas of your face or body you want treated.
- Your face/treatment area is then thoroughly cleaned, and then a topical anesthetic is applied.
- Then a very thin layer of water is applied to the face, as well as a product to reduce friction. This helps the dermaroller more effortlessly create the micro-punctures as it slowly moves across your skin’s surface.
- The microneedling procedure will begin once all of these preliminary steps are officially completed, and the needles that are used are between 0.5 and 2.5 millimeters in length.
What to Expect After Microneedling Treatments End
It’s not unusual for a client’s skin to appear red or even look sunburned after treatment is completed. Microneedling results are not something that you can see immediately, but rather they take a little time so you can naturally create the necessary collagen that repairs your newly ‘injured’ facial areas. But as time passes you will undeniably see incredible improvements in your skin’s tightness and overall texture.
Some microneedling patients with darker skin tones may notice they look a little bit darker after their treatments are completed, but this type of darkening is very temporary and subsides within a day or so at most.
It’s also not unusual for a single client to need multiple microneedling treatments in order to ensure their desired, long-term results. Most treatments are spaced out at least a month apart, and you and your technician will be able to discuss potential future treatment dates so that it best coincides with your busy schedule.
What should I do/not do after my microneedling treatment?
One of the main restrictions after microneedling treatments is avoiding makeup for the rest of that particular day, but it’s always ok to put a little makeup on if you have some type of commitment or event to go to later that same evening. You should also refrain from any kind of retinol product, and each client is given a homework box full of growth factor serum to apply before bed and in the morning.
You should also avoid any type of strenuous activity that could make you sweat the day of your microneedling treatment, and this is because increased facial blood flow can potentially lead to irritation.
It’s a general rule of thumb that you should avoid all types of sun exposure for about 72 hours after a microneedling treatment, which means maybe wearing full-brim hats outside to simply ensure the most protection possible.
Lastly, you shouldn’t use any type of skincare product that isn’t given to you by your technician or doctor after this type of procedure, and you should use all of your growth serum products every day/night until you run out.
How do At-Home Dermarollers Compare to Microneedling Performed by a Medical Professional?
One of the main comparisons to microneedling treatments and DIY dermarollers is working out with and without a trainer. The results will speak for themselves in both cases, and although you can get good results without a trainer and with DIY dermarollers, you’re definitely going to see legitimate, longer-lasting results when you get professional microneedling.
DIY dermarollers only go to about 0.5mm in length, so they generally are harmless, but it’s always best to do these types of facial procedures under the right circumstances with professional supervision so you can ensure the results you’re looking for.
How Many Treatments Will I Need?
Each patient is different, so the overall number of treatments will either be determined at your initial consultation or figured out along the way as you start to see your desired results take place. Our technicians are some of the most experienced in the Toronto Metro Area, and our evaluations will help determine what we believe is best in terms of quantity of treatments so you can ensure the quality of your results.
It generally does require about 3 to 6 microneedling treatments for clients to achieve their desired results, but some deep wrinkles or other more severe cases may require more treatments than a client who is simply fixing fine lines.
Once you’ve achieved your desired results you’ll only need to come in about once a year to maintain the durability of your long-term results.
We are committed to helping you get the very best results with your microneedling treatment at the Liliana Laser Clinic, and we can help you if you are looking address any type or wrinkles and fine lines, and everything else in between.
Our technicians are some of the most dedicated and experienced in Toronto, so you can be rest assured that you’ll be in the right hands and have every treatment done in an efficient, professional manner.
Call us and schedule your initial consultation today and we will help you turn back the hands of time through our very innovative microneedling treatments!