Most people assume that when signs of aging appear, they must either put up with them or undergo invasive cosmetic treatments to see an improvement. However, that’s not the case. Another option is to receive microneedling. At Ethos MedSpa, we offer the Candela Exceed microneedling system for reliable results. What is microneedling, and what can you expect after your treatment sessions?
What Is Microneedling?
Microneedling uses tiny needles to make numerous puncture wounds along the treatment area. Inflicting these small, inconspicuous wounds stimulates your body’s healing response.
Any time you get a cut, scratch, or more serious wound, your body sends blood and collagen-producing fibroblast cells to the area to kick-start the healing process. Collagen and elastin are two important proteins the body makes naturally, and both have important effects on the skin.
Once you reach your mid-20s, the production of these proteins starts to slow down. When this happens, your skin may begin to form creases and wrinkles because it no longer contains enough of these proteins to keep it firm and supple.
Microneedling treatment helps rev up the production of new collagen by directing your body to send fibroblasts precisely where you want them. Microneedling services can help with many common skin issues, including:
- Wrinkles and fine lines
- Sagging
- Large pores
- Hyperpigmentation
- Stretch marks
- Uneven skin tone
Microneedling for acne scars can also help you manage the symptoms of this complex dermatological condition. The needles break up the bands of collagen that created the scars, and the body responds by forming new, healthy skin.
Microneedling is well-suited for people who are in good overall health and don’t have any blood coagulation issues. If you’re pregnant, have a skin infection, or tend to develop hard or raised scars, microneedling may not be the right option for you.
How Microneedling Treatment Works: The Process
If you want to try microneedling, we invite you to visit our medspa for a consultation. This will give us a chance to examine your skin and ask questions about your skincare routine and medical history. One of the microneedling benefits our patients love is the freedom to have the treatment performed as needed without a long preparation process. To be able to get microneedling, you only need to stay out of the sun, avoid alcohol, and stop taking blood thinners for a few days.
The process itself is also brief and painless. We’ll start by applying a numbing cream to ease any discomfort you might otherwise feel. Once it takes effect, the actual procedure can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes.
After Treatment: What Recovery Looks Like
After a microneedling treatment, your skin needs time to heal. Although there’s no real downtime, you can take some steps to help yourself achieve the microneedling results you want.
Most visible recovery will occur in the first two days after treatment. Still, it’s important to keep in mind that the treatment will continue working for weeks, with new collagen and elastin being produced to restore the skin’s firmness and flexibility.
We can recommend some excellent moisturizers and cleansers to help soothe your skin following a microneedling treatment session. You’ll need to stay out of the sun for a few days and wear high-SPF sunscreen whenever you go outside, even if it’s a cloudy day.
Avoid putting on makeup for the first 24 hours. It can be tempting to do so to cover up the redness and small wound marks, but if you want the treatment to work properly, it’s imperative that you don’t block your pores or introduce any bacteria into the area. Stick to moisturizers and sunscreen for the first full day.
As you recover, you also want to avoid skincare products with active ingredients like alpha acids or glycolic acids, as well as scented products and vitamin C serums. After two days, you can slowly begin reintroducing skincare products.
For some patients, moisturizing masks can provide soothing comfort in the days after treatment. Just make sure you use a mild mask, not one with harsh active ingredients. Avoid strenuous exercise that makes you sweat for at least three days. Sweating causes your pores to reopen, making it easier for bacteria to enter.
To avoid irritation and other issues, don’t swim in chlorinated or salt water or take long baths. For the same reason, you’ll want to forgo saunas and hot tub use for at least a week after the procedure.
Resist the urge to wash your face during the first 72 hours. After that, it’s okay to use gentle cleansers and warm (not hot) water to remove flaky skin. Avoid alcohol-based toners for at least 10 days, and don’t use face brushes of any kind for a week, as these implements can introduce bacteria to the treatment area.
Some people start noticing microneedling results within a few days, but you must be patient to see significant changes. This is particularly true if you’re using microneedling for acne scars, as healthy new skin can take longer to form where there was once scar tissue. As long as you’re patient and willing to follow the right aftercare steps, you can enjoy clearer, healthier, more youthful-looking skin in just a few weeks.
Get Natural Results With Microneedling
Microneedling benefits include making your skin look and feel better, undoing some of the signs of aging, and making it easier to treat hyperpigmentation, scars, and more. At Ethos MedSpa in Chesterfield, MO, we can offer reliable microneedling services. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and see if this option suits your needs.