Why is microneedling also called Collagen Induction Therapy?
Microneedling is also referred to as Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT). This is because the microscopic punctures created during the treatment (also known as microchannels) trigger a trauma/healing response in your skin. Your skin perceives that there has been a small injury and as a result, floods the tissue with the signal to naturally produce more collagen and elastin to heal the ‘wound’.
As the skin heals, so too do skin imperfection soften and can even disappear completely.
What skin conditions can microneedling help improve?
Microneedling is helpful for the treatment of fine lines, wrinkles, scarring, hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone and dryness/dullness, making it an ideal anti-ageing wonder treatment.
What is the goal of microneedling?
The goal of microneedling is to open microchannels into the skin to allow for deeper delivery/penetration of skincare products, allowing the Mesotherapy to work more effectively to achieve its goals.
Another goal of microneedling is also to trigger the skin’s own healing response to the perceived ‘trauma’ to the skin caused by microneedling, prompting the skin to produce growth factors, turnover skin cells faster and create new collagen and elastin bonds – this, overall, gives the skin a more youthful, rejuvenated appearance.
Who is microneedling good for?
Microneedling is wonderful for anyone who wishes to restore vitality to their complexion, anyone who wishes to look fresher and anyone who wishes to heal skin imperfections and fight the visible signs of ageing.
Why you should try microneedling
Microneedling can help you achieve your skincare goals, including –
- Reducing fine lines and wrinkles
- Softening the appearance of enlarged pores
- Reducing hyperpigmentation
- Healing acne scarring and other scarring
- Restoring hydration to the skin
- Restoring tonal/textural irregularities
Are there any side effects to microneedling?
After microneedling, your skin will likely turn a little red/pink, and you may experience some pinprick bleeding . Your skin might also look a little blotchy. Rest assured, this is temporary! Your skin may also be a little puffy and very rarely you may experience some slight bruising, especially around areas of thin tissue (such as the delicate skin around the eyes).
What will the skin feel like after microneedling?
After microneedling, your skin also may feel a little rough to the touch for a few days and you may notice some visible marks on your skin, both caused by the microchannels created during microneedling. These side effects are all part of the body’s healing process. Microneedling triggers a trauma/healing response in the skin (which is what helps stimulate the production of collagen and elastin).
Microneedling aftercare
The day after treatment, wash your face with a gentle cleanser and apply a nourishing moisturiser. Avoid products containing fragrances or active ingredients (vitamin C, A/Retinols), acids (lactic acid, AHA, BHA), scrubs or toners which may cause irritation.
Your skin may experience mild swelling, bruising, peeling and flaking. You can minimise the dryness/flakiness during the healing process by keeping the skin moisturised, which will reduce shedding and alleviate tightness.
Avoid exercising, sweating excessively, swimming or applying makeup for 24 hours. You must apply a high protection sunscreen when going outdoors, and avoid prolonged sun exposure.
48 Hours After
Do not exfoliate if the skin feels sensitive – the flakiness and dryness of the skin will naturally subside. Use any provided aftercare products as directed.3-5 Days Post-Treatment
Continue to apply a high protection sunscreen daily and avoid direct and extended sunlight for up to 1-week post-needling. Your skincare routine should focus on hydrating and moisturising products, continuing to avoid active ingredients, acids, scrubs and toners.
7+ Days Post-Treatment
You may return to your regular skincare routine.
Does microneedling hurt? What does microneedling feel like?
The very top layer of the skin doesn’t have many nerve endings, so shallow microneedling is virtually painless. However the level of discomfort can increase as you go deeper into the skin.
When will I see results from microneedling?
Microneedling will give some instantaneous results, in the form of a ‘glow’. You’ll also notice some redness (as mentioned above) because the skin has been penetrated and blood flow to the skin has increased. Skin cells take between 4-6 weeks to turn over a full life cycle, and you’ll see results amplifying during this time as your skin heals and new tissues is flooded with collagen and elastin.
Results to expect
Results will vary depending on the issues and areas that you are targeting with your microneedling treatment, and may include:
- Reduced hyperpigmentation
- Reduced fine lines and diminished wrinkles
- Diminished appearance of enlarged pores
- Improvements to the tone and texture of the skin
- More supple, hydrated skin
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