Everything You Need to Know About Microneedling

You may have heard of collagen, but do you know what it actually is and does? Collagen is a protein that is naturally produced by the body. Among other things, it is what helps your skin look plumper, tighter, and smoother. As you age, your body will stop producing as much collagen as it used to, which is why your skin might be starting to look older as wrinkles and lines get deeper, and skin starts to loosen from your facial muscles.

One solution to fighting against a collagen deficit is to try and find a way to provide more of it naturally. You can take supplements, but they don’t go as far as to help with the appearance and overall health of your skin. However, Microneedling might be the perfect solution for your collagen woes.

What is Microneedling?

While your body naturally produces collagen without encouragement, it ramps up production if you suffer a wound. Collagen has healing properties for the skin, and the body will send a burst of it to an injured site to help. Microneedling encourages collagen production by creating tiny wounds on the surface of your skin. This activates your body’s healing mechanisms, including collagen production.

The needles used to wound the skin are incredibly tiny. With such small wounds, the collagen production is more than needed. As the skin heels, it ends up being more supple, more full, and looking younger.

What Can Microneedling Help With?

Microneedling can help with several different skin issues associated with aging. Scars from acne or surgery, wrinkles, and stretch marks can all be diminished with the treatment. Scars are a tight clump of skin cells on the surface of the skin. The needles break down those cells to allow for better healing to occur. It could take up to 6 sessions or more to treat scarring, depending on how severe it is. For wrinkles it can take even fewer sessions to start seeing great results.

Do the Results Last Forever?

Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever. While you will see great results, you will need to get maintenance to keep those results for the long-term. Your skin will keep aging, and external factors such as UV rays and injury will continue to affect the look and feel of your skin. Microneedling on a regular basis will help to keep these afflictions at bay and keep you feeling great about your skin.

Is There a Long Recovery Time?

Microneedling is invasive, but the nature of the wounds mean that there are very mild side effects. You may have some redness or swelling for a couple of days, and the skin might peel at the site immediately after. After a week your skin should be healed and looking better. However, this can take longer if you do not follow the guidance and insuractions of your doctor. With microneedling, you don’t have to take time off of work or change your activities in any way. You can use makeup, wash your face, or apply moisturizer. Some doctors do recommend using products that do not block your pores, such as those with a mineral base.

Do Not Try Microneedling at Home

You might think that since microneedling is just injuring yourself that you can do it yourself at home. However, that would not be a good idea. For the treatment to work properly, you need to be precise with the injection of the needles. Any mistakes and you will either cause too much wounding or not enough. Trust a professional technician to handle this medical procedure for you so that you get the best results possible.

Is Derma Rolling the Same Concept?

You may have seen ads for a product called a DermaRoller. This is a handheld device that you roll across your skin to cause abrasions. Those abrasions then activate collagen production in the body. However, the issue with dermarolling is that it may cause too much damage to the skin. With a rolling product, it can cause the needles to enter and exit the skin at an angle. This can cause larger wounds and tearing of the skin. Microneedles are able to penetrate exactly as deep as they need to go, and they come into contact with the skin straight on. The extra 1 or 2 millimeters of depth can make a huge difference in your results.

Is Microneedling Worth the Attention It Gets?

The short answer to this question is “yes.” Microneedling is an effective treatment for lines, wrinkles, and scarring. It compares well to laser treatments, and does not involve much recovery or healing time. If you are looking to improve the look of your skin and make it feel younger, then contact Bridgeport Laser & Wellness for a consultation.

Bridgeport Laser & Wellness Center Team

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The team at Bridgeport Laser & Wellness Center in Tualatin, OR, is led by Alina Wilson, Author, Founder and Active CEO, and Michelle Young, ND, LAc, Medical Director. They are joined by Natalia Glawe, LE, CMA,  Medical Aesthetics Specialist; Kathy Nesen, CAE, Medical Aesthetics Specialist, and Keisha Harrison, CMA, LE.  Specializing in “Thoughtful Aging,” the team emphasizes a holistic approach to aging, promoting youthful skin and wellness through extensively researched and tested treatments. At Bridgeport Laser & Wellness Center, they focus on enhancing natural beauty and fostering a positive outlook on aging, utilizing state-of-the-art technologies and treatments to provide personalized, results-oriented care.