Microneedling Treatment Pittsburgh is one of the most popular aesthetic treatments of the modern age and for very good reason. This simple treatment can accomplish a variety of skin-related concerns, from fine lines and enlarged pores to uneven complexion and blemishes. But how should you prepare for your treatment at Prizant Dermatology in Pittsburgh, PA? We’re here to unpack everything you need to know about this do-it-all treatment.
Compared to many other aesthetic treatments, it’s relatively simple to prepare for a microneedle appointment. Unlike laser and light treatments, there is no need to prepare your skin for this treatment weeks in advance. Most of the guidelines for this treatment should be followed for a minimum of 24 to 48 hours before your appointment, depending on the condition of your skin.
Speaking of your skin condition, the very first thing you need to know about preparing for this treatment is the ideal health of your skin. You can’t have this treatment if you have an active skin infection or breakout, which includes cold sores, fever blisters, hives, allergic reactions, contact dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, or active acne. Please reschedule your treatment if your skin is not clear on the day of your appointment.
There are two important components to prepare your skin for this treatment. The first is to avoid any direct exposure to sunlight for at least 24 hours unless you are wearing strong SPF to protect your skin. Prolonged sun exposure, including exposure to tanning beds, may cause skin irritation during your treatment.
You will also need to temporarily stop using certain skincare products, particularly retinoids and acid-based products, such as azelaic acid, glycolic acid, or salicylic acid. While these products can benefit the health and appearance of your skin, they should not be used immediately before or after a microneedle treatment to avoid any possible skin irritation or overdrying. If you are taking blood-thinning medication, then you may need to temporarily stop using the medication for one to three days before your appointment.
On the day of your appointment, you can expedite your treatment if you arrive at your appointment with a fresh face. Please wash your face with a gentle cleanser and do not wear any lotion, perfume, or serums when you go to your appointment. If you are wearing make-up that day, please remove make-up before your appointment.
There are also steps you can take for your comfort during the treatment. For patients with sensitive skin, it’s sometimes a good idea to take Tylenol about one hour before your appointment to minimize any possible discomfort from the treatment process. We also can offer patients a topical numbing cream to use before the appointment starts to ensure their comfort.
This amount of preparation is necessary if you want your treatment to one safe, effective, and comfortable. Ideally, following these preparation guidelines will make sure your skin is in peak condition and healthy enough for treatment. The goal of our treatment is to produce your desired aesthetic results without drying your skin or creating skin irritation. If you prepare well for your treatment, then you will be able to enjoy a radiant glow immediately after your treatment.
No, this treatment is not painful or uncomfortable. Because this treatment is non-surgical and minimally invasive, the sensation you will feel during your treatment will be purely superficial and temporary.
Some patients compare this treatment to being pricked by a cactus and the sensation only lasts for as long as the microneedle tool is being used on the skin.
Professional microneedle treatments are performed with 2mm sterile needles, which are a bit shorter than the average post on a stud earring. These needles are also very thin and sterile, so overall the size of the needles is very small.
In fact, professional needles are more refined than the derma rollers for at-home use. The advantage of using professional-grade treatments is the fact that your treatment will be administered correctly, which will help induce the amount of collagen growth you need to achieve your desired results. Needles of this length are able to penetrate several sub-dermal layers at a time to stimulate the body’s natural regenerative response.
During the immediate recovery period of 24 hours, you will need to treat your skin well since this is the period when the micro-channels created by the treatment will be most open in your skin. Some things you will need to do after your treatment include
Moisturizing after your treatment is an essential step for the simple reason that this treatment will accelerate your skin’s natural cellular turnover. In other words, your skin will likely shed due to this treatment, so the best way to serve the health of your skin is to keep newly revealed skin moisturized. Using simple products is best during this time since it cuts down on the possibility of any sensitive skin reactions. Moisturizing will ensure that your newly revealed skin is supple, healthy, and glowing.
Most people will notice results within as little as 24 to 72 hours, but it’s important to remember that these are temporary results. Usually, your initial results fade over the next week. Your true results will be visible after at least two to four weeks, depending on how fast your body produces collagen in the skin.
The results of your treatment will continue to prove as new collagen matures in the skin and provides the skin with additional support. The collagen maturation process is often quicker for younger patients, who may be able to see final results as soon as three to four weeks after treatment; older patients may require more than four weeks to see desired results.
The number of treatments you will need for your treatment will depend on the skin concerns you are treating. For example, to correct uneven skin tone, dark spots, blemishes, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, you will likely only need one to two treatments to achieve your desired results. This is because pigmentation concerns are caused by discolored skin cells and can be corrected through rapid cellular turnover.
Additionally, dry, rough, and dull skin can also be corrected in as little as one treatment. Foraging and scarring concerns, you will likely need multiple treatments.
Age-related concerns such as skin laxity, fine lines, and wrinkles will usually require three to five consecutive treatments to fully treat. Depending on the severity of your age-related concerns, it will take some time to build up enough new collagen within the sub-dermal layers of the skin to produce anti-aging results. The more severe your wrinkles are, the more treatments you will need to produce enough collagen.
Treating scarring is a bit more complicated since microneedle treatments must simultaneously break down scar tissue and create collagen to smooth the appearance of the skin. Based on the severity of your scarring, you can expect anywhere from three to eight treatment sessions in a row to produce your desired results.
Microneedling Treatment Pittsburgh is usually performed once a month until desired results are accomplished. After that, the frequency of your treatment will depend on factors such as your age, your skin concerns, and how well you are maintaining your treatment.
For example, those who are using this treatment for age-related concerns can have this treatment three to four times a year, while those who are treating pigment concerns may only need this treatment when they detect pigment issues or as often as every other month to maintain results. We will help you determine the best frequency for your treatment.
Sometimes, the results of this treatment are permanent – specifically, this treatment can be a permanent solution for certain types of scars. Atrophic acne scars, such as rolling scars, icepick scars, and boxcar scars can all produce possibly permanent results. This is because while the collagen produced by this treatment is only temporary, the old collagen that caused the scarring in the first place may be broken down or flattened by the treatment, which may result in permanent results for you.
Aside from attending any recommended maintenance treatments, there are two other ways you can maintain your results. The first way is to be diligent about your suncare. It’s best to wear SPF 30 or greater when you are outside during the daytime to protect your skin from harmful UV rays that can cause premature skin aging, diminish collagen in the skin, and cause sun damage.
Using the right skincare products and following a good skincare routine is also essential. The skincare products you use should be selected to address your skin concerns, particularly any serums or medications that are part of your routine. By using the right skincare products, you can prolong your anti-aging results, keep your skin moisturized, and promote better skin health.
The vast majority of people, both women and men, are good candidates for this aesthetic treatment. If your skin is not prone to easy scarring and you do not have any active skin conditions or infections, you are likely a good candidate. This treatment is a good fit for those who want to resolve issues such as:
If you want to get the best results from your treatment, then you need to do your best to prepare your skin for your appointment by following recommended guidelines. If you believe microneedling treatment Pittsburgh is a good fit for your skincare needs, please contact Prizant Dermatology in Pittsburgh, PA to schedule your first appointment today.
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