In the right hands, as with all aesthetic beauty treatments, skin needling is a safe and effective practice. Recently, I read an article, published in the Telegraph magazine, which I felt was very misleading and full of inaccuracies.
So, in an effort to properly inform anyone who is considering this treatment, I'm happy to explain the facts here. I have been offering skin micro needling treatments for the past 9 years, and it's one of our most-requested treatments.
Techniques and instruments have evolved over those years, and it's important to me as a practitioner that I keep up to date with the latest clinical data and research, as well as attending advanced training courses to further my knowledge.
Our clinic recently upgraded our Fusion Mesopen to the latest version, along with new mesotherapy serums and treatment protocols to enhance results.
The Fusion Mesopen is a motorised pen-like instrument. It has a sterile needle cartridge fitted at the tip, and pierces the skin at the rate of 133 punctures per second, resulting in faster treatment times and less trauma than devices such as skin rollers.
SOME SIMPLE FACTS
WHAT IS IT?
Microneedling, PCI (Percutaneous Collagen Induction) , CST (Collagen Stimulation Therapy) Skin Needling - just some of the terms used to describe a method of collagen and elastin stimulation in the treated areas.
HOW DOES IT DO THAT?
By piercing the skin with sterile micro needles ranging from 0.3 - 2mm (millimetres) in length to produce small blood spots on the surface of the skin.* The act of piercing the dermis to produce minimal bleeding will stimulate a healing process in the skin, leading to new collagen and elastin deposits. End result - tighter skin and line and wrinkle reduction. Other benefits of the treatment include a reduction in acne scars, pigmentation (brown marks) and redness/rosacea.
*A cautionary note here - the maximum needle length used on the face should ideally be no longer than 2mm in my opinion. The piece in the Telegraph Magazine suggested that up to 3mm length needles can be used; she described how people's faces are 'pouring in blood' following treatments. All I can advise is that if anyone proposes using 3mm needles on your face - RUN! Remember that minimal bleeding is all that is required to produce the desired effect.
HOW DOES IT FEEL?
The Telegraph piece quoted that 'the pain and effort' were not worth it for the minimal results achieved. Let's address the 'pain' first - we use a topical anaesthetic to numb the treated areas before commencing the skin needling treatment. It can be left on the skin for up to one hour prior to treatment. In nine years I have never had a client jump off the couch screaming in agony!
As for the results - there is plenty of clinical evidence to show that the effects of skin microneedling can be seen up to 6 months following treatment, as healthy collagen and elastin are still being produced. So the 'effort' is definately worth it. I have been working in this field for nearly 30 years, and I have never come across any cosmetic treatment that has such long-lasting results, apart from surgery. This is evidenced by the number of my clients who return for follow-up treatments to maintain their results.
IS THERE DOWNTIME?
There is definately redness, a little soreness and, in a very few cases, some swelling and dryness can occur. These generally subside within 24-48 hours. We can minimise the downtime by using LED light treatment immediately after the procedure to calm the skin.
FUSION MESOTHERAPY SERUMS
We use a cocktail of sterile serums alongside the skin needling treatment to enhance the results and to 'feed' the skin with peptides, growth factors and vitamins. These mesotherapy cocktails are mixed according to your particular skin's needs, making it a bespoke treatment.
The micro channels created in your skin allow for penetration of the active serum cocktail, further stimulating collagen regeneration.
NANO NEEDLING - WHAT'S THIS?
This is a method of introducing the Fusion Mesotherapy cocktails into the skin without penetrating at deeper levels. Typically the needle length will be between 0.1 and 0.3 mm, so no need for topical anaesthetic, and no down time (a little pinkness immediately after the treatment) The aim is to refresh and feed the skin, leaving it radiant and plumped.
It doesn't replace microneedling when it comes to collagen and elastin stimulation, but if you don't want downtime, or your skin isn't showing signs of ageing such as sun damage, redness or sagging skin, then this is a great alternative.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Consult the experts! A friendly, informal chat with us will help you to discover more about this therapy, and whether it's right for you. Simply contact the clinic to make an appointment, we'll be happy to arrange this for you.