Medical microneedling, also referred to as “skin needling” or “collagen induction therapy”, is a non-surgical and minimally-invasive treatment for facial rejuvenation that uses a micro-needling device to create controlled skin injury. With each fine puncture, the body is triggered to fill these micro-wounds with new collagen and elastin.
Microneedling is used for the treatment of skin issues related to scarring from trauma or acne, fine lines and wrinkles, stretch marks, and uneven skin tones.
At Azura, we use the SkinPen®, which is the first FDA-approved microneedling device available for use in The United States.
SkinPen®
What is SkinPen®?
SkinPen® by Bellus Medical is the first microneedling device in the world cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), clinically proven to safely and effectively treat facial acne scars for ages 22 and up. With as few as three non-invasive and affordable treatments spaced 30 days apart, you can improve your appearance and step out with confidence.
How does microneedling work?
SkinPen® creates controlled micro-injuries to stimulate the body’s natural wound-healing process while minimizing cellular damage. The result: effective remodeling of scar tissue, while keeping the overall structure of the skin intact.
Why SkinPen®?
SkinPen® is clinically proven to reduce the appearance of acne scars. In fact, 90% of subjects in the clinical trial would recommend the treatment to friends and family. It’s a minimally invasive procedure performed in-office with little downtime. As the first FDA-cleared microneedling device, SkinPen® sets the industry standard for safety.
Will microneedling work for me?
Unlike most alternatives, SkinPen® has been clinically proven to be effective for women and men with skin ranging from light to very dark. SkinPen® treatments, when properly spaced and overseen by a physician, can be used for years.
Is it safe?
Yes, by design. SkinPen®’s patent-pending – and single-use – sterile needle cartridge is built with safety in mind. SkinPen® is also surrounded by a proprietary BioSheath that acts as a barrier to prevent cross-contamination between procedures. Safety measures like these are part of the reason SkinPen® is the first microneedling device cleared by the FDA.
Does it hurt?
The feeling associated with the treatment is similar to sandpaper being moved across the skin. While some areas are more sensitive than others, the speed of the reciprocating cartridge tip makes the treatment more comfortable. The procedure takes 15-45 minutes depending on the size of the area treated.
What Should I Expect Post-Procedure?
Immediately after the treatment, you will notice a bright redness to the skin. The total recovery time depends on the position of the pen and the number of overlapping passes your skincare professional performs. On average, patients are red for two-to-four days and may have some dryness and continued healing for up to one week. Some patients heal completely in 24-48 hours. Utilizing certain topicals after the treatment can speed up the healing process and maximize your results.
More About Microneedling
In a 2014 WSJ article, New York-based dermatologist Dr. Doris Day is quoted as saying “she generally sees a 60% to 70% improvement in the broad acne scars with four to six treatments.”
Azura Skin Care Center uses technology that can be used on all parts of the body, including the face, neck, décolleté, arms, hands, legs, abdomen, and back. Along with the microneedling process, we also use a hyaluronic acid topical or a growth factor topical during your treatment. Our experts will help you chose which topical product will be used depending on your desired results.
Patients notice an immediate “glow” to their skin. Visible changes to the skin develop over the course of several weeks. Results can continue to improve up to six months after the treatment as collagen production continues. We generally recommend a package of treatment depending on the results you wish to obtain, usually three to six treatments, but even one treatment will give beautiful results. Here is a great article featured in Vogue about the benefits of microneedling.