Microneedling is one of celebrities all time favourite treatment and its accessible to everyone. It can be used on both the face and body and can tackle a whole range of skincare concerns from fine lines and wrinkles to visible pores and scarring.
WHAT IS MICRONEEDLING?
Firstly, what is it? During a microneedling session, your skin is punctured with a handheld device made up of lots of tiny needles. It is a quick, effective and painless procedure and it is actually really relaxing! Microneedling is a completely natural collagen-based treatment that re stimulates your skin. The needle creates a little trauma in the skin, which triggers your body to create a wound-healing response and stimulates it to plump up and repair itself. That helps to repair everything from fine lines and wrinkles, rosacea, pigmentation, to redness and acne scarring.
The treatment is completely bespoke as we can tailor it with different serums and products, brands, strengths, needle depth, speed etc to suit your skin concern. For example, for a corrective point of view, if we were treating someone with a lot of deep pitted acne scars, we would be going much deeper and creating a deeper wound response, so there would potentially be a bit more blood, redness and a bit more downtime. But if you are getting microneedling as you have an event and want a glow, then there is minimal to 0 downtime associated with the treatment.
The needles’ length can range from as little as 0.25mm to up to as much as 2mm, depending on your skin concern and desired results. The number of sessions you’ll need also depends on your desired results and how your skin has responded after the 4-6 week mark (which is how long your body takes to heal and promote its own collagen and elastin in skin cells renewal), but for maximum results you are recommended a course of at least three sessions.
Although it’s minimally invasive, this is still a cosmetic procedure and so it’s important to do your homework and ensure you see a qualified practitioner. Pricing will vary depending on your practitioner and clinic of choice, but you can probably expect to pay at least £200-250 per session, with PRP vampire facials going up to £260 (this is where we use your own plasma which has healing properties and growth cell factors as opposed to serums but there will be a whole other article on this don't worry!)
MICRONEEDLING BEFORE AND AFTER: WHAT HAPPENS AT YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT?
Firstly you have a consultation, so that your practitioner can find out more about your skin and the results you’re hoping to achieve. You'll discuss your skin concerns, motivations and any issues you want to address. The practitioner will assess your skin type and condition to determine the most suitable approach.
Your skin will be cleansed, the needles will start needling after a specially tailored serum has been selected and applied to the skin, a sheet mask is applied and then followed by 15 minutes LED light therapy and SPF. Your appointment takes around 45 minutes.
Here is an example of the results you can achieve. As you can see, reduced pore size, more even skin tone, reduced pigmentation, a glow and more hydrated skin!
IS THERE ANY DOWNTIME?
Your skin is likely to be quite red and potentially sensitive after microneedling, especially within the first 24-48 hours. Because of this it is advised to avoid direct sunlight, saunas and steam rooms, vigorous exercise and swimming for two days post-treatment. Any at home skin care that you use with active ingredients such as aha and retinol should be avoided for 3-5 days as they will sting when put on the skin.
DOES MICRONEEDLING HURT?
The level of discomfort or pain experienced during a microneedling procedure can vary from person to person and depends on several factors, including the individual's pain tolerance, the depth of the microneedling, and the use of numbing agents. Overall it is a painless procedure but if going over scarring it may be more sensitive.