Due to its popularity amongst celebrities, there is a lot of buzz about microneedling and its impressive results for skin rejuvenation.
Microneedling is actually one of the safest and most effective non-invasive aesthetic treatments available! Unfortunately, due to inexperienced treatment providers or substandard devices, some patients have had unfavourable experiences with microneedling.
At GraceMed, we offer microneedling in Mississauga with a high level of professionalism. All procedures performed at our Mississauga cosmetic surgery clinic and our other locations are performed by experienced providers.
It’s also worth noting that, because the word “needle” can elicit fear in some people, microneedling treatment is often overlooked in favour of other aesthetic procedures. If this describes you, please read on!
This article will educate you on what microneedling is all about, the many benefits of microneedling, and clear up common misconceptions surrounding microneedling treatment, and explain why anybody who is getting older (hint: all of us!) should be considering microneedling.
Consider how you can reap some of the many benefits microneedling has to offer:
What You Need to Know About Microneedling
What is Microneedling?
Microneedling is a gentle skin resurfacing treatment, also known as “Collagen Induction Therapy.” Collagen is a major structural protein that is the building block of our skin. It is what gives our skin strength, durability, and its youthful appearance. After age 25 we begin to lose about 1.5% of our collagen each year, and after age 40 our production of collagen slows considerably. In other words, we are producing less collagen at a time when we need more! This leads to loss of elasticity and skin that is prone to wrinkling and sagging.
One of the most efficient ways to increase collagen production is to simulate an injury to the skin. This triggers a natural healing response in which the skin creates new, healthy collagen to repair the injury. Microneedling treatment is based on this concept and was developed to deliver controlled micro-injuries to the skin by the use of tiny sterile needles.
How Does Microneedling Work?
GraceMed is pleased to offer microneedling treatments using the Eclipse MicroPen® Elite – an advanced medical-grade automated device that is approved by Health Canada. The device utilizes a sterile cartridge housing 12 tiny needles, offering unparalleled safety, precision, and efficacy. It offers multiple depths of treatment, which allows the technician to address your skin’s concerns and use the appropriate depth over different areas of the skin during your microneedling treatment.
During a microneedling treatment, the device is run over the skin while the needles rapidly puncture the top layer of the skin, creating micro-injuries that will stimulate collagen production. The microneedling treatment is surprisingly comfortable and requires no downtime.
Notable Benefits of Microneedling
Microneedling Treats a Wide Variety of Conditions
Aside from stimulating collagen and promoting younger-looking skin, other microneedling benefits include significant improvement in overall skin texture and tone. Microneedling can be performed anywhere on the face or body, and is particularly effective for the following conditions:
- Wrinkles and fine lines, including those that are “etched” into the skin
- Enlarged pores
- Acne scarring
- Stretch marks
- Thinning hair
Wrinkles & Fine Lines
Microneedling is beneficial for addressing wrinkles and fine lines as the treatment triggers collagen and elastin production in the dermal layers of the skin which helps strengthen and tighten the skin. Therefore, microneedling helps alleviate the appearance of existing wrinkles and helps prevent the formation of future fine lines.
Enlarged Pores
Following and during the microneedling treatment, the area around the pores plumps after stimulating the collagen around it which helps minimize the appearance of pores.
Acne Scarring
Since microneedling boosts collagen and elastin production in the skin, microneedling can help reduce the visible depth of acne scarring. Multiple sessions of microneedling treatments are extremely beneficial for those looking to address the appearance of acne scars. Multiple microneedling treatments are beneficial because the treatments continue to stimulate collagen production and improve the look of scarring.
Stretch Marks
Another one of the benefits microneedling offers is that it can be extremely beneficial for improving the appearance of stretch marks. Microneedling improves the colour and texture of stretch marks, and helps the scar blend into the surrounding skin. Similar to treating acne scars, multiple sessions of microneedling are often recommended to treat stretch marks. During a complimentary consultation at our GraceMed Burlington location or GraceMed Mississauga location, one of our expert medical estheticians can assess your concerns in person to provide an estimate as to how many microneedling sessions may be required to achieve optimal results.
Thinning Hair
Microneedling is beneficial for those experiencing hair loss as the tiny punctures from the microneedling pen help stimulate the hair follicle and may also help promote the absorption of topical hair growth products or even (PRP).
Why Patients Love Microneedling:
Aside from the numerous conditions that microneedling treats, there are many advantages that make microneedling one of the most popular treatments at GraceMed:
- It’s safe – Treatments are performed by our experienced medical estheticians
- It’s personalized – Each microneedling treatment is customized to the individual’s skin concerns
- Treatment appointments don’t take long
- Treatment is basically painless
- Minimal recovery time
It’s Safe
One of the most standout microneedling benefits is that microneedling is exceptionally safe and suitable for all skin types. Compared with other aesthetic treatments such as laser, side effects are few and extremely rare.
It’s Personalized
Before your first microneedling procedure, your medical aesthetician will perform a thorough analysis of your skin and determine the best treatment plan based on your concerns and desired results. If you are using retinol, you may be instructed to discontinue using it a few days prior to your microneedling treatment.
It Doesn’t Take Long at All
One of the microneedling benefits that people love most is that it’s time Microneedling treatment takes approximately 30 minutes. Before the microneedling procedure, a topical numbing cream will be applied to the treatment area to ensure a comfortable experience for you. Once the skin has been thoroughly cleaned, a hyaluronic acid serum will be applied, and your technician will glide the microneedling device vertically over the skin in a precise pattern. The tiny needles will rapidly enter the skin, creating an appropriate number of micro-injuries to stimulate maximum collagen production.
It’s Basically Painless
Microneedling treatment is essentially painless. Most patients describe a “prickly” sensation or the feeling of vibration on the skin. Depending on your skin and the depth of the microneedling treatment, tiny dots of blood (“pinpoint bleeding”) may occur but will cease once the microneedling treatment is complete. You will never leave the clinic with blood on your face! Immediately after the microneedling treatment, your skin may be slightly pink, but this generally resolves quickly.
It Has Minimal Recovery Time
You will need to refrain from wearing makeup for 24 hours; however, you can resume most of your other normal activities after microneedling treatment. Even though there is no downtime after microneedling, it is important to remember that your skin will be healing. Therefore, we will provide you with instructions on how to best care for your skin at home.
Long Term Benefits of Microneedling:
The Results
Although most patients report their skin looking immediately better, results from microneedling are gradual, occurring over several months. Best results are typically achieved with a series of 3-6 microneedling treatments, spaced one month apart. For enhanced results, microneedling may be combined with platelet-rich plasma, commonly referred to as the “Vampire Facial”. Microneedling with PRP is one of the most popular treatments in the industry largely due to celebrities raving reviews of the procedure!
Boost Collagen, Improve Texture, and Reverse Signs of Aging
In our 20’s we are often dealing with post-acne scarring. In our 30’s, we may be seeing the first signs of aging, and seeking a proactive approach to skin health. At 40 and older we may be looking for ways to “age gracefully” or diminish the lines and wrinkles that have already appeared. Whatever your age or skin concern, microneedling can offer significant benefits and play a major role in any skincare regimen.
In the high-tech world of cosmetic lasers, microneedling is often overlooked and underestimated. But its secret lies in its ability to boost collagen and restore youthful skin as good (or better) than many high-profile laser treatments – and without downtime!
Microneedling at GraceMed
If you are considering microneedling treatment or simply want to learn more about microneedling benefits, please contact us to book a complimentary consultation with our team of experts. A friendly member of our team will get back to you shortly!
