How Microneedling Can Help Rejuvenate Ageing Skin
“With age comes wisdom. Unfortunately, it also comes with wrinkles. Microneedling can’t help much with the wisdom part, but it may be able to do something about the wrinkles.”
Why Does Your Skin Age?
Despite your best efforts, you may notice that your skin does not look the way it used to. There are intrinsic (things you can’t control) and extrinsic (things you can control) factors that contribute to this. As you age your skin becomes thinner and the amount of collagen reduces over time. Not only that, the balance of collagen within the skin changes, with less of the collagen associated with youthful, healthy skin. The visible signs include sagging, thin skin and wrinkles. Controlling the extrinsic factors, such as wearing your SPF everyday! Not smoking and having a good diet is a very cost effective way to control this process, however there are many treatments available to help rejuvenate the skin.
Lasers and chemical peels are a common treatment to help improve skin quality and appearance, however some of these treatments may cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, (PIH) especially for those with darker skin types, this can last up to 3 months. Microneedling however, has a lower risk of PIH.
After 4 session of microneedling using SkinPen Elite
How Does Microneedling Work?
Microneedling has humble beginnings. In 1995, clinicians first noticed the effects of inserting a needle beneath scars, which appeared to stimulate scar remodelling and healing. Since then we have evolved the idea of using small needles causing controlled trauma to stimulate collagen. The result is the pen devices, which we now see being used by most aesthetic clinics.
The small needles at the end of these devices rapidly go back and forth, and cause microchannels in the skin. This triggers the wound healing cascade, a natural response by the body that results in the production of collagen. The beauty of this treatment is that it carries minimal risk and is suitable for most skin types.
Studies have shown an increase in collagen from %140-%685, with results being boosted with topical vitamin A and C. It is recommended to have more than 1 session of microneedling, and studies have shown that after 6 sessions there is production of collagen type I, III, VII and tropoelastin.
Great, so what does this mean in practice? Microneedling can help rejuvenate aged skin to help give it a youthful appearance, it works well to reduce fine lines and improve skin quality.
There are limitations to microneedling. It will not replace volume loss or heavily sagging skin, for that you would need other treatments such as, endolift, fillers or possibly even biostimulators depending on the individuals goal or concerns.
Should I Get Microneedling?
If you're considering microneedling, it's worth knowing that there are many devices available, both for use in aesthetic clinics and for home use. While at-home devices may have a role, they are generally less powerful than medical-grade devices and are unlikely to achieve the same results as professional treatments.
At our clinic in Bolton, we use the SkinPen Precision Elite. We chose this device because it is well-designed, evidence-based, and delivers consistent and reliable results. (And no, I don't own shares in SkinPen!)
Microneedling may be suitable if you are concerned about fine lines, acne scarring, enlarged pores, or general skin quality. It is also a good option for many people with darker skin tones who may be at higher risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from some laser treatments.
However, no treatment is right for everyone. Before proceeding, it is important to have a consultation with a trained practitioner who can assess your skin, discuss your goals, and determine whether microneedling is the best option for you.
If you'd like to learn more or find out whether microneedling is suitable for your concerns, get in touch with our team or book a consultation at our clinic in Bolton.