Microneedling San Diego, also known as collagen induction therapy, is one of the fastest-growing trends for skin resurfacing. It’s a safe treatment for people with many conditions, including acne scarring, fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots.

The treatment also works well on pockmark scarring. It liberates blackheads (it’s unclear why, but probably because the controlled trauma of thousands of needle pokes makes them shrink). It reduces hyperpigmentation in women with darker Fitzpatrick skin and helps prevent melasma.

A microneedling device, like the one we use at our medspa, creates little injuries on the surface of your skin. It’s similar to how your body responds to a cut or burn: The injury triggers a wound-healing response that increases collagen, encouraging blood cells to head in and help build up tissue and support the area.

Over time, this results in skin that is smoother and more youthful. Microneedling can improve many skin imperfections, including large pores, uneven skin tone, stretch marks, fine lines, and scars, and it’s great for reducing hyperpigmentation (skin pigmentation that doesn’t match the surrounding tissue).

This procedure is also a popular treatment for scarring caused by acne. It’s particularly effective for rolling and boxcar scars but isn’t as good at ice-pick or hypertrophic scars. It can be used alone or in combination with other treatments such as chemical peels, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), subcision, and cryotherapy.

In addition to triggering collagen production, the tiny abrasions the needles create can also reduce pore size and fine lines. It’s believed that the process stimulates the release of a protein called matrix metalloproteinases, which promotes the production of new skin and reduces the appearance of fine lines.

It’s a popular treatment for reducing the appearance of large pores, redness, and brown spots, and it can even treat skin discoloration from sun damage (photodamage). We recommend pairing it with Vitamin C serum to help speed the healing process and reduce hyperpigmentation and blemishes.

If you’re considering getting a microneedling treatment, talk to your dermatologist. They’ll ask you a few questions about your health and goals for treatment, as well as examine your face to ensure it’s safe for the procedure. It’s important to be free of a tan, sunburn, or infection and to wait at least one month before you have the process if you’re taking isotretinoin or another acne-treating medication.

Your dermatologist will then prepare the area to be treated by applying a numbing cream. After that, the doctor will use the microneedling device over your face, which may take 30 minutes or more. The doctor may apply soothing serums at the end of the session.

If you’re looking for a way to refresh your skin without an invasive procedure, microneedling may be the right choice. It unlocks the power of collagen to rejuvenate your skin and fight certain conditions. It’s an excellent option for reducing fine lines, improving uneven skin tone, and eliminating some types of acne scars.

Your initial consultation will help you decide if this cosmetic treatment is a good fit for you. Your dermatologist will take a thorough medical history and examine your skin before determining whether microneedling is safe for you. They will also recommend other treatments if necessary.

During the session, your skin will be covered with a topical anesthetic to ensure comfort. Your dermatologist will then use a handheld device with needles on the tip to create small prick marks in your skin. The skin will then amplify its natural collagen and elastin production, causing the tiny abrasions to heal within days or weeks. You will notice a light pinkish tinge to your skin that looks similar to a sunburn, and your skin tone should become more even.

It’s important to avoid certain products and activities before your microneedling session. For example, you should stop using abrasive or exfoliating products for several days before your appointment to prevent irritation. It would help if you also refrain from smoking or drinking alcohol, as these can inhibit your body’s ability to heal itself.

After your micro-needling session, you must follow a skincare routine that supports your body’s healing and collagen induction. This can include cleansing and moisturizing twice daily, applying antioxidant-rich products, and using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.

You should see results in a few weeks after your first microneedling session, which should continue improving as your collagen builds. For maximum benefits, having multiple sessions spaced a month apart is recommended. As your skin heals, it will become thicker and more resilient, allowing deeper penetration of the needles at each subsequent appointment.

Unlike laser treatments that can be very harsh, microneedling is gentle and safe for all skin tones. The treatment is quick and requires very little downtime. You can return to work and other regular activities immediately after your session.

Before your microneedling treatment, we apply a numbing cream to your face so you won’t feel the needles. Then, we move a pen-shaped tool with tiny needles around your face and into the deeper areas where wrinkles and scars tend to be. The little cuts the needles create will initiate your body’s healing process, sending collagen and elastin to patch up the small injuries and smooth out the wrinkles.

The treatment typically lasts about an hour, but this can vary depending on your skin tone and how many needles you use. We also need to give the numbing cream time to take effect so that it can last up to 30 minutes.

Most people need between three and six microneedling sessions to see noticeable results. This depends on how deep your scars are, how thick and discolored, and your skin type. The Vivace RF microneedling system will continue to stimulate the production of new cells after your initial sessions, so your results can last a few years if you maintain a maintenance schedule.

You can expect your skin to be slightly red for a few days after your microneedling treatment, but this should go away independently. It would be best if you avoided smoking or drinking alcohol during this time because these activities inhibit the healing of your skin. It would be best to prevent excessive sweating, which can trigger the inflammation that causes redness.

While microneedling is a great option for most people, it may not be the best solution if you have certain medical conditions. You should avoid this treatment if you have a blood disorder or are taking medication that prevents blood clots. You should also avoid this treatment if you have keloidal scarring, which involves large scars that cause your skin to look pitted or pockmarked.

If you have pockmark scarring, microneedling can reduce the appearance of the scarring by lifting and tightening the skin. It works well on light and heavy scarring, but you will need multiple treatments over time for the best results.

During your microneedling session, the doctor will apply a topical anesthetic to numb the treatment area. Then, they will move the needles across the face to create tiny holes in the skin. The pain is minimal and often described as feeling like a light sunburn.

The microneedling process triggers your body to respond to minor “injuries” by producing new collagen and healthy skin cells. Your skin may take several days to recover. After this, you can resume your normal skincare routine. However, you should avoid products that can irritate the newly healed skin.

Your skin will flake and peel for the first 3-5 days after your microneedling procedure. While this may be unsightly, it is a good sign that your skin is healing properly.

Don’t try to pick or exfoliate your skin at this stage, as this will disrupt the natural shedding process. You should also avoid wearing makeup until the flakes and peeling have stopped.

After a few weeks, your skin will look healthier and more vibrant. But this is just the beginning, as your body produces collagen and healthy skin over the months following your microneedling treatment.

During this recovery period, you should drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated. It would be best to refrain from using products that increase your skin’s sensitivity, such as retinol and exfoliants. Instead, use a gentle cleanser and moisturizer that will soothe the skin.

It’s also a good idea to avoid alcohol and smoking, which can slow down your body’s healing processes and increase inflammation after the treatment. Finally, it would be best to avoid extreme temperatures because they can cause your skin to crack and bleed.