Microneedling is a non-surgical treatment that helps with everything from fine lines and wrinkles to acne scarring, age spots, and sun damage. This procedure is minimally invasive with little to no downtime between sessions. Here’s everything you need to know to prepare for your very first microneedling treatment to your last.
How Microneedling Works
Microneedling is a minimally-invasive treatment that encourages your skin to produce more collagen. This is achieved through the device’s 100% contaminant-free needles effortlessly gliding across your skin without any tugging or scratching. The vibrating stamp-like motion of the needles safely causes micro-injury to the skin and triggers collagen production. Before the procedure is done, our Licensed Medical Esthetician will numb the area that is going to be treated. This assures pain-free treatment throughout the entire process.
Microneedling is a great way to treat scars post breast augmentation as well as post tummy tuck. Four weeks after your surgery, you can get started on a treatment plan to lessen the appearance of those lollipop and mommy makeover scars.
Do Your Research
Make sure you are going to a reputable establishment and a licensed medical esthetician that is using an FDA-cleared device. Microneedling at a medical spa, like Guerra Plastic Surgery in Scottsdale, Arizona with our licensed medical esthetician, Rebecca, ensures that your procedure is done safely. Because microneedling does create micro-injuries to the skin, it is very important that the treatment is done using a proper device. If not, improper usage of unapproved devices can cause contamination, even more scarring, and damage to your skin.
At Guerra Plastic Surgery, we use the InnoPen. The InnoPen is a Class 1 FDA cleared medical device made in the USA. This means that this microneedling device does not cross-contaminate, doesn’t tear or scratch your skin, and all of the components are 100% contaminant free. The InnoPen contains disposable stainless steel needles with a double-tip protective system. All of these safety features that the InnoPen has is to help with the entire microneedling process for full-skin rejuvenation.
Prepare & Prep Your Skin
Microneedling treatments can help everything from acne scarring on backs to fine lines and wrinkles on your décolleté. No matter what area you are getting treated, it’s important to prep your skin in order to achieve the best results. Four weeks before your first treatment, you will need to stop the use of self-tanning lotions, booths, and sunbathing. You will also need to avoid these activities for an additional four weeks after your initial treatment. Licensed Medical Esthetician, Rebecca Cekala, recommends stopping the use of Retin-A, Hydroquinone, or Glycolic for one week before and after your treatment.
On the day of your treatment, please do not apply body lotions, makeup, and/or other topical products to the procedure area. Although the area will be thoroughly cleansed beforehand, these products can still cause irritation.
Post Treatment Care
Although microneedling is minimally invasive with little downtime, you will still experience mild symptoms like redness. This is completely normal, and there are several ways to help minimize downtime. Staying hydrated, using a gentle cleanser, and applying Aquaphor are just a couple of ways to make sure your skin heals properly. You must wear sunscreen that is mineral-based every single day. Since your skin is healing, it will be more sensitive to the sun’s rays (yes, even on cloudy days!). If you’re going to be directly in the sun, it is also important to wear a wide-brimmed hat if you had the procedure done on your face.
As you research micro-needling, it is very important to make sure that you are the right candidate for this non-surgical procedure. Because of this, we require a free skin consultation prior to treatment. This allows our licensed medical esthetician to assess the area you would like treated as well as to come up with a customized treatment plan to achieve your goals. She can also go over options to help accelerate your results faster through add-ons like PRP and HydraFacials.
Book an appointment at our Scottsdale office by clicking here or calling us at (480) 571-7625.