- What is Microneedling and Who Can Benefit?
- How Does Microneedling Work?
- Choosing the Best At-Home Microneedling Device
- How to Prepare Your Skin for Microneedling
- What to Apply After Microneedling
- How Often Should You Microneedle?
- Potential Side Effects and Areas to Avoid
- At-Home vs. Professional Microneedling
- Benefits of L-Ascorbic Acid After Microneedling
- Recommended Tools and Serums for Best Results
Who's The Dermatologist Answering the Questions?
This information is presented by Dr. Abby Waldman, a Harvard dermatologist working at Brigham and Women's hosipital. She's the Director, Mohs and Dermatologic Surgery Center
What is microneedling, and who can benefit from it?
Microneedling is a process that creates tiny injuries in the skin to stimulate collagen production and rejuvenate the skin. It benefits people with conditions like melasma, hyperpigmentation, hair loss (alopecia), wrinkles, enlarged pores, acne scars, and stretch marks.
How does microneedling work?
Microneedling creates micro-injuries in the skin's epidermis, signaling the body to repair itself by producing new collagen and skin cells. It also allows skincare products to penetrate more effectively.
What types of devices are available for at-home microneedling?
There are 2 main types: rollers and pen/stamping devices. Pens or stamping devices, like the Banisher 3.0, are recommended because they offer better control and are less likely to tear the skin.
What needle length should beginners use?
Beginners should start with 0.5mm needles for safe and effective results. This length primarily targets the epidermis, while longer needles used in professional treatments penetrate deeper.
How should the skin be prepared for microneedling?
Start by removing makeup and thoroughly cleansing the skin. Make sure the microneedling device is sanitized with isopropyl alcohol.
Is microneedling painful?
At-home microneedling with shorter needles is minimally painful. Areas like the upper lip may feel slightly tender, but numbing cream is generally unnecessary.
What should be applied to the skin after microneedling?
Post-treatment the best serum to use after microneedling are serums like vitamin C or hyaluronic acid to enhance results. Vitamin C can help build collagen and promote healing of acne scars. Avoid retinoids, alcohol-based products, and sun exposure to protect the skin as it heals.
How often can microneedling be done?
For acne scars, it can be done weekly if the skin has recovered. For general skin rejuvenation, once a month is sufficient.
What are the potential side effects?
Redness and pinpoint bleeding are normal but should subside within a day. Proper cleaning and aftercare help prevent infections and complications.
Can microneedling be used for hair loss?
Yes, microneedling can improve hair loss by enhancing the absorption of treatments like minoxidil. Ensure the scalp is clean before treatment.
Are there any areas to avoid?
Be cautious around sensitive areas like the eyelids and lips, as these are more prone to complications.
How does at-home microneedling compare to professional treatments?
Professional microneedling uses longer needles for deeper penetration and faster results but involves higher costs and more downtime. At-home treatments are less invasive, more affordable, and convenient.
Do At Home Microneedling Devices Work?
Yes, home microneedling devices do work if you choose the right device and system.
Contrary to popular belief, a 0.5mm device produces more if not the same amount of collagen as compared to a 2mm dermaroller according to a journal in (Skin Cell Proliferation Stimulated by Microneedles). There is also less risk of scar tissue with 0.5mm needles. Dunkin et al1 found that skin cuts to a depth of 0.5–0.6 mm close by electrical cell stimulation without any trace of scar tissue, while deeper cuts can heal with scar tissue.
Another journal 2 reported similar effects of electrical currents on cell motility and healing.
How should you use a microneedling stamper?
Always make sure that your skin and hands are clean and tool is sanitized with 70% rubbing alcohol. Stamp with even pressure on the areas you want to treat and clean and store your tool. Repeat use once every 2 weeks or up to once a week depending on the length of the needles in the tool.
Do Dermatologists recommend at home microneedling?
Dermatologists do recommend if you cannot get professional microneedling done, to use a safe, reputable microneedling device.
Microneedling Insights from Skin Experts
Can you tell us about your background and qualifications?
@banishacnescars Banish is backed by Dermatologists AND Science! @miamiderm #banishacnescars #microneedling #acnescars #acnescartreatment #acnescarsremoval #derm ♬ original sound - banishacnescars - BANISH
Hi, my name is Dr. Anna Chacon. I’m a double Ivy League board-certified dermatologist. I attended Brown University for both undergraduate studies and medical school. After medical school, I completed a research fellowship in dermatologic and laser surgery. I graduated as a dermatologist from LAC USC Medical Center, where I served as chief resident.
My research has primarily focused on acne scarring, collagen remodeling, and microneedling.
Do you recommend at-home microneedling tools?
Yes, I’ve tried many derma roller products, and the only one I recommend to my patients is the Banish Kit. It’s the only at-home microneedling tool I trust and recommend, and I’ve personally used it myself.
Why do you recommend the Banish Kit?
I trust Banish because it’s sourced from the same manufacturer that produces professional microneedling devices we use in dermatology offices. Additionally, the Banish Kit 2.0 is designed as a stamp rather than a derma roller, which I find more effective and safer.
Lauren Lapaglia, Esthetician
@banishacnescars Personal acne scar tips from Esthetician @laurenlapaglia #esthetician #acnescars #acnescartreatment #acnescarremoval ♬ original sound - banishacnescars - BANISH
Can you tell us about your skincare journey?
I struggled with acne scars, picked skin, and an infection that spread across certain areas. After treating the infection, I was finally able to focus on the scarring, which I addressed through microneedling.
Why is it important to treat infections before microneedling?
Microneedling shouldn’t be done if you have active breakouts or infections. Breakouts are essentially infections in the skin, and microneedling in these cases can spread bacteria and make things worse.
What method did you find most effective for scarring?
Microneedling was the best method for me to address acne scarring. It helped smooth out my skin and reduce the appearance of scars.
Matt Randon, Esthetician's Microneedling Tips.
Who is the esthetician answering these questions?
Matt Randon, an aesthetician with expertise in skincare.
What areas should you avoid during microneedling?
Avoid microneedling on active pimples to prevent spreading bacteria across your skin. Also, do not microneedle directly under the eyes, as this area is too delicate.
What should you expect after a microneedling session?
Your skin will likely appear red and slightly irritated, which is normal. The 0.5-millimeter needles create controlled micro-injuries to stimulate collagen production and skin regeneration.
Why is 0.5 millimeters the ideal needle length for microneedling?
Studies show that 0.5 millimeters is deep enough to stimulate the dermis for effective results. Needles shorter than this may not penetrate deeply, while thicker needles can cause unnecessary damage.
How does microneedling improve acne scars and skin texture?
Microneedling creates controlled micro-injuries that stimulate collagen production and skin regeneration. This process smooths acne scars, minimizes pores, and improves overall skin texture.
What should you do immediately after finishing a session?
After microneedling, sanitize the Banisher and apply soothing or active skincare products like vitamin C cream. This maximizes the benefits of the treatment while helping your skin recover.
How to choose a microneedling device? When choosing an at home microneedling device:
Finest tips and needles: Focus on one that has the finest tips and needles because research shows that thinner needles creates wounds that don't scar. “Non-traumatic microneedles with a preferable tip radius of not more than 2–3 μm” creates a wound that does not scar. It is important not to use a thick needle as that can further scar the skin.
Replaceable Heads: One that has replaceable heads so you can keep your microneedles clean and sharp.
Avoid Micro infusion devices which can spread bacteria: Look for a non-microinfusion device. These devices can trap dirt and bacteria in the device and spread it along the face, increasing risk of infection. Micro-infusion devices do not spread the serum evenly and need to be replaced after every use.
Use a static, non powered microneedling tool: to reduce risk of further scarring, including tram-track scarring, choose a device that is static and isn't powered for at home use to reduce risk from user error if not trained.
Use a Derma stamper not a Dermaroller: Dermarollers penetrate the skin at an angle and can create tram-track scarring. Use a microneedlng stamper or derma stamper to avoid tram track scarring. A derma stamper is easier to manuever around active acne.
Recommended Microneedling Tool: Banish Kit 3.0 with replaceable heads and serum.
Why you should use L-ascorbic Acid Vitamin C after microneedling?
Boosts Collagen: L-Ascorbic Acid stimulates collagen production by supporting enzymes that stabilize and strengthen collagen.
Protect Skin: It inhibits collagen-breaking enzymes (MMPs), preserving existing collagen.
Enhance Results: Microneedling improves absorption, allowing the Vitamin C to work even better to reduce fine lines, improve texture, and brighten skin.
Potent: As the most effective form of Vitamin C, L-Ascorbic Acid maximizes skin rejuvenation post-microneedling.
Recommended Serum: Banish Serum with Vitamin C, E, Ferulic Acid.
Refereces:
1. Liebl, Horst and Kloth, Luther C., "Skin Cell Proliferation Stimulated by Microneedles" (2012). Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications. 72.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/phys_therapy_fac/72
2. 2.Zhao M., Song B., Rajnicek A.M. Electrical signals control wound healing through phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase-g and PTEN. Nature. 2006;442:457–460. doi: 10.1038/nature04925
3. Boo YC. Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) as a Cosmeceutical to Increase Dermal Collagen for Skin Antiaging Purposes: Emerging Combination Therapies. Antioxidants (Basel). 2022 Aug 26;11(9):1663. doi: 10.3390/antiox11091663. PMID: 36139737; PMCID: PMC9495646.
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