How Does PRP Microneedling Work?

If you’ve been struggling with acne scars, fine wrinkles, or just generally tired-looking skin, you might be on the lookout for a new cosmetic solution. With microneedling, you can rejuvenate your skin in a way that’s natural and non-invasive but still affords you jaw-dropping results. Not only that, but here at Prizant Dermatology in Pittsburgh, PA, we offer treatment with PRP, which speeds up the healing process and makes the results even more striking.

How Does PRP Microneedling Work?

What’s amazing about microneedling is that it utilizes the body’s ability to heal itself. It involves making a series of “controlled injuries”, which are purposefully-made injuries that trigger the body’s cell regeneration process. They’re made using a series of tiny needles, which roll along the skin’s surface and make punctures deep enough to touch dermal layers of skin underneath. The body immediately starts building new healthy tissue and producing proteins like collagen and elastin, which work to keep the skin voluminous and firm.

PRP takes this already incredible process one step further. When PRP – platelet-rich plasma – is incorporated into treatment, it not only speeds up the healing process but can encourage more skin cell turnover than the original treatment would achieve on its own. A 2016 study found that, on average, PRP can make microneedling almost 20% more effective at treating acne scars. During treatment, PRP is applied to the skin right after the needle device has gone over it, so the skin can absorb as much of it as possible.

What Is Platelet-Rich Plasma?

Our blood is mostly made up of a liquid called plasma, but it also contains platelets. Platelets are the things that clot blood, which is crucial to healing injuries. PRP is a concentrated version of plasma that has as many as ten times more platelets in it than is commonly found in the blood. More platelets mean PRP can speed up the healing process. When it’s used with microneedling, it means your body will work quicker and harder to heal than it otherwise would.

What Skin Concerns Does This Treatment Remedy?

This treatment is a fantastic weapon against all sorts of cosmetic concerns. It’s renowned for its softening of scars and fine lines, as well as its ability to even out unbalanced skin tones. This makes it effective against broken capillaries and sunspots. Acne, enlarged pores, and rough skin texture can also be treated via this process. Even if you’ve been genetically blessed with unblemished, unwrinkled skin, it can feel great to just brighten and refresh your face!

What Should I Expect From This Treatment?

Your Consultation

The first step of this process is to come in for a chat with a member of our expert staff. This will be your chance to talk us through your skin concerns, and we can make sure this treatment will work to effectively treat them. We’ll also go over your medical history, including any medications you might be on, to ensure you’re a suitable candidate for treatment. If everything looks good, we’ll design a treatment plan that will be used during your appointment.

On the Day

Treatment takes place right here in our beautiful Pittsburgh office. Patients are asked to come in with a clean face, free of even makeup, so there’s no chance that any foreign substance will contaminate the needles. We may apply a topical numbing cream to the treatment areas. The device we use is called SkinPen, which is currently the only FDA-approved device available for this treatment. It’s a small, hand-held device that allows for incredibly precise application of the fine needles.

We will run the SkinPen along the treatment areas, allowing the needles to carefully puncture the skin without touching any surrounding areas. Once that’s all done, we’ll apply PRP to these tiny injuries, massaging the product gently so it penetrates the deeper layers of the skin. We may finish off with a soothing balm or moisturizer. You’ll be able to head off immediately after! The entire process often takes around half an hour, but the exact length will depend on the individual.

How Many Sessions Will I Need?

This too depends on the individual and their skin concerns. Generally, we recommend between three and five sessions to achieve optimal results. But don’t worry! Each session is as simple and quick as the first! We’ll schedule them about six weeks apart, which will give the skin plenty of time to heal between sessions. We can also monitor the skin’s progress during this time, making sure treatment is working and getting the right results.

Should I Expect a Long Recovery Period?

Absolutely not! One of the perks of this treatment is that there’s no downtime required afterward. Patients can even drive themselves to and from their appointment since there’s no anesthetic used, and you’ll be able to carry on with life pretty much as normal afterward. There’ll be some tiny adjustments; for example, it’s recommended you don’t touch your treated area for 24 hours following your session, and you’ll have to wait a few days to start your normal skincare routine.

How Long Before I Can See the Results?

Many patients walk away with their skin already looking brighter, but the best results start to show after about two weeks. This is when you’ll notice the collagen and elastin working on lifting and firming up your skin, filling out lines and adding plumpness to the face. You may also see that new skin cells have balanced out uneven skin tones. These results only become better with every session, and by the time you’ve finished all your sessions, you may feel like a brand new person!

Do the Results Look Natural?

This treatment is a great option for those who don’t want to change the whole structure of their face, but rather are looking to enhance their natural beauty. This treatment makes it look like you’ve gotten the world’s best facial, leaving you glowing and healthy-looking but still like yourself. This sets it apart from things like a Facelift, which obviously can dramatically change the shape of your face, or lip fillers, which can cause such a striking change that you can’t help but notice them.

Can I Do This Treatment Myself at Home?

You’ve probably heard of derma rollers, which work in a similar way to this treatment. While they can be somewhat effective at making your skin look smoother, they’re not lasting results. This is because the needles on derma rollers aren’t able to reach deeper skin layers as the SkinPen can, so none of that collagen and elastin production is kickstarted. Importantly, at-home treatments lack the critical element of PRP. Surely you don’t want to miss out on one of the most exciting, effective parts of this whole treatment?

These DIY products are also considered more unsafe. When they’re not being used by a trained professional, like all our staff here at Prizant Dermatology, there’s more chance of doing damage to the wrong areas or even scarring your skin. We’ve spent years perfecting our use of the SkinPen, and feel incredible confidence inflicting tiny, deliberate injuries that we know your body will be able to heal. We can do all this while keeping you comfortable and leaving surrounding areas untouched.

Am I a Good Candidate for This Microneedling Treatment?

If you’re struggling with any of the skin concerns discussed in this article, and you’re over 18, we’d love for you to come in for a consultation. You don’t deserve to feel self-conscious or unhappy in your skin, and we love being able to instill patients with confidence. Patients should be realistic about what this treatment can do; those who are looking for very dramatic changes to their face or want to “shave off twenty years” might not be a perfect fit.

The treatment’s versatility makes it a fantastic option for almost any person, regardless of their age, skin tone, or gender. We strongly encourage men to seek this treatment out too, since wrinkles are hardly just a women’s issue! Some certain medical conditions and medicines may prohibit you from being able to undergo treatment, as will pregnancy. But even if we decide that this treatment isn’t the right fit for you, we’ll be happy to suggest some brilliant alternatives that will better remedy your concerns.

Schedule Your Microneedling Consultation Today!

If you want to look refreshed and feel gorgeous, you might be interested in PRP microneedling. You’ll be able to enjoy newfound confidence in your skin, and feel secure and happy knowing that it was your own body’s healing abilities that helped you achieve your new look. Our team can’t wait to help you on your journey. So say goodbye to wrinkles, fine lines, acne scarring, and whatever else, and call us at Prizant Dermatology in Pittsburgh, PA, now.