The practice of needling the face for aesthetics is not new. For thousands of years, acupuncturists in China have been using needles to puncture the skin to facilitate healing and promote beauty. They also applied oils and infusions to the skin before needling so products could penetrate the deeper layers. Ancient derma rollers and other cosmetic acupuncture tools have been found dating back 2,000 years!
MicroNeedling also called Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT), is a powerful yet minimally invasive professional procedure that rejuvenates the skin with the use of an automated needling device. It promotes the production of collagen similar to IPL, fractional laser treatments and laser resurfacing, but without damaging the skin and with minimal downtime.
Much like cosmetic acupuncture, micro-needling uses very thin, hair-fine needles to puncture the dermal layers of the skin. This creates microscopic wounds (micro-channels) that facilitate the healing process. Within minutes, your body begins to heal itself, delivering fresh blood and nutrients to the area. Fibroblasts in the papillary dermis respond by producing new collagen and elastin, which keep your skin youthful, firm and lifted. The micro-channels created also help to increase the absorption and effectiveness of serums by up to 3,000%.
MicroNeedling can be used on any skin tone and types, as well as all areas of the body including the scalp to promote hair growth.
Similar to cosmetic acupuncture treatments with Dr. Ara, your face will be thoroughly cleaned and prepped. You will receive 20 minutes of LED light therapy with the Celluma. Next, numbing cream will be applied to the areas being treated along with acupuncture to address your needs. When the numbing cream is ready, we’ll take the acupuncture needles out, and your face will be thoroughly cleaned again to remove the numbing cream. A powerful and rich serum customized to your needs will be applied right before and immediately following the MicroNeedling. The entire treatment takes 60-75 minutes depending on areas being treated. Most people leave the treatment room feeling super relaxed and happy.
Most people say they feel a slight vibration or a tickling sensation in certain areas like the nose. More sensation is felt around bony areas like the forehead but the pain is minimal due to the numbing cream.
The amazing thing about micro-needling is that it has little to no downtime in comparison to other professional services. Immediately following micro-needling it is normal to be red with some pin pick bleeding. The micro-channels close up within the first hour and by the next day (12 hours later) you are able to wear makeup again. Redness subsides between 12 - 48 hours post-treatment.
Improvements in the skin can be seen the following day after a single treatment. Full results of a single treatment can be seen 90 days post-procedure. Depending on the condition being treated, 3-6 treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart are recommended for maximum effectiveness. Additionally, we recommend 1-2 treatments a year as maintenance.
Micro-needling is considered safe for all skin types. However, below are some situations and conditions when the procedure should not be performed:
If there is something you are not sure about, please call or discuss during the consultation.