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Microneedling

Microneedling is a useful treatment for male & female patterned hair loss. It is also useful to enhance penetration of certain drugs to the deeper layers of skin. Microneedling can make melasma & dark circles worse, although it can be a useful non-specific treatment for acne scars & skin rejuvenation. Read more to understand how this treatment should be employed. 

Key Points

  • Microneedling is an entry level treatment that is useful for treating hair loss
  • It can also enhance the delivery of topical agents into the deeper layers of skin
  • Microneedling is also a non-specific treatment for acne scars & enlarged pores
  • This treatment frequently worsens melasma pigmentation
  • Microneedling should not be used to treat dark circles / eye rejuvenation 
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Microneedling at a glance

For: Hair loss, rejuvenation, acne scars
Procedure time: 30-40 minutes
Duration of results: Variable
Back to work: 3-5 sessions
Recovery: 3-6 days
Anaesthetic: Numbing
Your specialist: Therapist, nurse
How much: $

Our results speak for themselves

FAQs

What is microneedling?

This treatment was first invented by dermatologist as an entry level therapy to improve skin texture & to enhance the delivery of topicals. 

Since its inception nearly 2 decades ago, this treatment has been commercialised as the treatment of choice for almost every skin condition ranging from wrinkles, enlarged pores, acne scars through to melasma, pigmentation, acne, hair loss, insomnia & haemorrhoids.

How does it work?

Microneedling works in 3 way-

 

  • Stimulation of collagen or CIT, Collagen Induction Therapy. 
  1. Physical breakage of scar tissue, deep microneedling beyond 0.5 mm
  2. Channels to increase absorption of topicals 

The most common application is CIT or collagen stimulation. It does this via limited collateral damage to the upper layer of skin, the epidermis. This creates a cascade of growth factors & inflammatory mediators, that stimulate collagen producing cells in the deeper layers of skin. 

What can microneedling do for your skin?

Microneedling treatment should be used according to your skin concerns & goals, not as a marketing tool to address a myriad of conditions. From a marketing POV, microneedling can-

 

  • Increase collagen
  • Reduce fine lines & wrinkles
  • Treat laxity
  • Treat melasma
  • Treat acne scars
  • Improve pore sizing
  • Treat pigmentation
  • Improve volume & skin texture

 

The real applications of microneedling are limited to treating androgenetic alopecia & optimising dermal drug delivery. 

Which is better- derma rollers or pens?

Here’s refreshing news- rollers are just as good, if not better than pens– if technique is correct. In fact, dermatologists prefer manual microneedling over pens & motors because we can FEEL what is going on. 

 

Provided needles are sharp, needle length is sane, & technique is good, a $5 DermaRoller can give faster, superior results than a $900 DermaPen – SkinPen. The key is traction & counter traction of the skin.

Can microneedling treat acne scars?

Yes, microneedling can be used as a non-specific treatment for superficial acne scars. Scar directed therapy gives infinitely better results, as can RF microneedling. 

 

Acne scars should be treated based upon their morphology. Dermatologists use chemical peels, RF microneedling, lasers, & surgery to effectively treat scars. 

 

Learn more (link to acne scar treatments) 

Can microneedling treat open & enlarged pores?

Yes, only if the pore size is LARGER than the needle diameter. You will require up to 5 sessions for optimal outcomes. If the pore is smaller than the needle, you run the risk of making pores worse. 

 

Small spot lasers including CO2, thulium & non-ablative lasers giver far superior results with much lower risks. 

 

Learn More (link to treating enlarged pores) 

Can microneedling treat skin laxity?

Yes, it can contract collagen, in turn improving skin turgor & laxity. Most patients require 3-5 sessions over 4-6 months. Lasers do a much better job- in one treatment. 

Learn more (link to Hybrid lasers under the laser section)

Is microneedling & Growth factor injections a good treatment for dark circles?

It is probably one of the worse treatments, only second to Plasma Pen Fibroblasting. Why? Firstly, it is because the skin around the eye is super-thin, less than 50 microns. This equates to a needle length of only 0.05 mm. Most practitioners needle over 8 time this depth.

 

Trauma to this area, coupled with the ubiquitous Growth factor injections upsell, creates bleeding. Bleeding creates bruising, leading to more pigment. Approach dark circles with an understanding of what causes dark circles in the first place. 

 

Learn more (link to dark circles treatment) 

Products

Medik8 Physical Sunscreen SPF50+
$69.00

Dermaceutic All Things Pigment 21 Day Kit
$154.00

Microneedling, though effective in some cases, is inferior to fractional laser resurfacing. We do however employ microneedling for dermal infusion of chemicals such as anti-inflammatory medications. We also employ more advanced radiofrequency microneedling devices.

Can it be used for eye area rejuvenation?

Yes, however there are many better solutions. The eye skin is the thinnest, hence we prefer small spot short PD lasers, including thulium 1927, 1940, erbium & CO2 lasers. 

 

One session of laser resurfacing gives infinitely better results compared to 5 sessions of microneedling, saving patients time, effort & money. 

 

Learn more (link to LANDING PAGE of eye rejuvenation) 

How do dermatologists employ microneedling?

We employ microneedling in specific settings where it is considered as the best standard of practice, namely

 

  • Treatment of hair loss. This where microneedling & Growth factor injections can be used. 
  • Trans-dermal drug delivery with heat, especially in burns scars (whereby idiosyncratic reactions occur with very low-density CO2 lasers)
  • Research based papers. 

What is the difference between RF microneedling & microneedling?

RFM or radiofrequency microneedling provides controlled insulated heating of the dermis. This in turn provides far better stimulation of collagen, in turn giving superior clinical results. These devices are used specifically for the treatment of skin laxity & deep rolling acne scars. 


RFM devices include Infini RF, Genius RFM, Morpheus 8, Instensif, Vivace, Secret RF & Intracel. Insulated RF microneedling gives superior results with far less side effects. 

Learn more (link to RF microneedling)

What are better treatments?

Don’t get us wrong, microneedling is a useful treatment. Cutis microneedles at least half a dozen patients a day, but only in the context of ‘best treatment applications.

 

The truth is there are far better options that are both more effective & cost effective for patients. Examples include-

 

  • Lasers for melasma, cost $139, much better results. 
  • Acne scar treatments are under Medicare.
  • Dark circles can be treated with topicals.
  • Skin laxity can be treated with HIFU, RF or lasers.

How many sessions are required?

3-5 depending on the application, expectation, goals, skill sets, depth of delivery & patient factors. 

What are the potential side effects?

The most common side effects from microneedling are-

 

  • Worsening of melasma pigmentation as needles push pigment deeper into the skin. This converts superficial pigment to deeper dermal pigment. 

 

  • Idiosyncratic pore enlargement – especially to fine pores. Needles should ALWAYS be smaller than the pore size itself. 

 

  • Scarring is rare, it is due to dragging of the needles & can occur if lubrication is poor, motor strength is poor, batteries are weak, or skill sets are low. 

Dark circles are made worse with pigment induced bleeding or post treatment purpura. Often in combination with Growth factor injections.

Ask us more about this treatment

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