At Prizant Dermatology in Pittsburgh, PA, we love helping our clients leave our office feeling more confident in the appearance of their skin. We offer a wide range of cosmetic treatments that bring to the table durable results and many other benefits. Today, we’re focusing on the benefits of microneedling, otherwise known as collagen induction therapy. Read on to discover some of the greatest benefits of this treatment and everything else you need to know.
The most compelling benefit of collagen induction therapy is that it stimulates extra collagen production deep within your skin. This is so beneficial because collagen helps to support and heal your skin in many ways. When there is extra collagen being produced in your treated areas, you can expect such benefits as:
One of the greatest things about reduced sebum production is that excess sebum production can cause whitehead and blackhead outbreaks. This makes collagen induction therapy a great choice if you have trouble preventing acne outbreaks. If you struggle with other types of acne, you can benefit significantly from unclogging your pores. Topical products, including preventative acne medication, are much more effective when they can be absorbed better.
The longevity of your microneedling results will depend on several factors, including your overall skin health, the severity of the cosmetic concerns being treated, and the type of cosmetic concerns being treated. Typically, the results of this treatment are not permanent, but exceptions apply. For example, you can enjoy permanent scar removal once you have received enough treatments to achieve your desired results.
If your goal is to unclog your pores or shrink enlarged pores, you may need to come in for a touch-up session monthly. If you get collagen induction therapy to reverse the signs of aging or UV damage, your results may last for approximately six months. When you attend your initial consultation, we will discuss what goals you are trying to achieve and evaluate the severity of your concerns. Then, we can give you an accurate idea of how long your results should last.
One of the best things you can do to extend the longevity of your collagen induction therapy results is to maintain a healthy skincare routine. For example, you should moisturize your skin daily and apply sunscreen multiple times per day. You can also help to extend the longevity of your results by avoiding tanning beds and lamps and limiting your time outdoors in the middle of the day.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle will also help you enjoy your collagen induction therapy results for longer. You should get at least 2.5 hours of moderate aerobic exercise every seven days to support your circulatory and pulmonary systems. This is important because the collagen in your skin that keeps you looking young and beautiful needs an ample amount of oxygen, nutrients, and other substances delivered via your bloodstream.
One of the most important nutrients to eat to maintain the health of your skin is protein. This macronutrient is made up of amino acids, and your skin needs three essential amino acids to produce collagen. To keep your skin as healthy as possible, you should try to consume 0.36 grams of protein per pound of body mass. For instance, if you are 180 pounds, you should try to eat and drink at least 64.8 grams of protein daily.
Collagen induction therapy is generally considered safe for individuals who are in good overall health. To verify that you are healthy enough to receive this treatment, you need to sit down with us and discuss your medical history, current health, and the medications and supplements that you take regularly. The concerns you have and the goals you are trying to achieve also need to be considered when determining if you are a good fit for this treatment.
While collagen induction therapy is well-tolerated by most people, there are some contraindications for this treatment. For example, you will need to postpone your treatment if your skin is actively infected. Additionally, you will not be able to receive this treatment if you have uncontrolled diabetes or a history of slow wound healing.
Furthermore, collagen induction therapy is not ideal for individuals who take anticoagulants daily or suffer from a bleeding disorder. If you want collagen induction therapy but take a blood-thinner or similar pharmaceutical, you will need to discontinue the use of your medication or supplement temporarily. Moreover, you will not be considered a good candidate for this treatment if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
The first preparation step you need to take prior to your microneedling session is to come in for an initial consultation. To reiterate, we’ll discuss your health and goals to ensure that this treatment will be safe and effective for you. We will also advise you on everything you should expect throughout the treatment process, including what other preparation steps you will need to take, how long you can expect your treatments to take, and what aftercare guidelines are required.
Another very important preparation step to take is to avoid tanning beds and limit sun exposure for two weeks before your treatment. If your skin is irritated for any reason at the time of your appointment, it must be postponed. Therefore, you should do everything you can to mitigate the risk of sunburn and other forms of irritation. It is also essential that you do not get any cosmetic treatments or use any cosmetic products, like depilatory creams, that may irritate your skin.
Once your treatment session is complete, it is essential to follow all aftercare guidelines. For example, you will need to keep your treatment areas clean with tepid water and a gentle cleanser. You should also protect the treatment areas from unprotected sun exposure and other forms of UV exposure for seven days following your treatment session. If your face is treated, you should strongly consider wearing a brimmed hat in addition to wearing sunscreen outdoors.
Another important aftercare guideline to follow is to keep your skin moisturized and hydrated. You should aim to drink at least six cups of hydrating fluids daily, eat plenty of hydrating foods, and moisturize your skin at least once daily. Furthermore, you should avoid heat exposure and sweating for 48 hours post-treatment. This means that you should not take hot showers or baths. Additionally, strenuous physical activity must be avoided for at least two days.
As a general rule of thumb, you can expect your collagen induction therapy session to take around 30 minutes to complete. However, you should know that there are several factors that affect the length of each treatment session, including the number of areas being treated, the size of the areas being treated, and the severity of the concerns.
For example, your treatment session may take closer to an hour if you are treating your chest and entire face. If you are only treating your midface, your session probably won’t take half an hour. Furthermore, you should know that your session may take closer to an hour if you opt for platelet-rich plasma therapy in addition to your collagen induction therapy session.
No, you should not expect to feel any pain while being treated with the FDA-approved SkinPen. The needles attached to this dermal roller are tiny, and your skin will only be punctured as deeply as is necessary to provide you with optimal results. Let us know during your evaluation if you are concerned about feeling the treatment. We can administer a topical numbing cream before your treatment begins.
Collagen induction therapy can benefit your skin in numerous ways because a little extra collagen production can tighten, smooth, brighten, and heal your skin. If you are interested in learning more about this incredible treatment, contact us today at Prizant Dermatology in Pittsburgh, PA to schedule an evaluation.
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