Microneedling, sometimes referred to as a collagen regeneration therapy, is one of the hottest treatments in the skin rejuvenation world, and that’s precisely because of all the benefits it brings. You probably already know that it can rejuvenate your skin, but there are some surprising benefits you might not know about if you haven’t tried it for yourself. Go to Microneedling Pittsburgh at Prizant Dermatology in PA, we want you to know everything this treatment can do for you.
What Are the Benefits of Microneedling?
It Improves Skin Texture
This is one of our favorite benefits because it happens so quickly. Some of the other benefits develop over time, but you won’t have to wait long to see an immediate improvement in the texture of your skin. This happens almost instantly, and you’ll be appreciating a new, healthier quality to your skin even as the treatment goes to work rejuvenating at a deeper level.
It Reduces Blackhead Breakouts
If you have hormonal acne, PCOS, or anything else that causes you to generate those annoying blackheads, know that microneedling Pittsburg clinic can help. Our process of running the micro-thin needles across your skin quite literally knocks those blackheads out. At the same time, it reduces the size of your pores. The effect lasts for three to four weeks as your body sheds skin cells and naturally produces new oils.
Pro tip: if you want to address blackheads, a great way to get even more out of your collagen regeneration therapy session is to take extra good care of your skin afterward and start using a serum with vitamin C.
It Exfoliates
You probably know that this treatment has something to do with collagen production, which happens below the upper layer of the skin: but you might not have realized that it’s also a great way to exfoliate the upper layers. Exfoliating is simply removing the uppermost surface of dead skin cells and old skin that is on its way out, revealing the healthy new skin underneath.
No doubt you exfoliate at home, but nothing you can do at home is as effective as microneedling can be! Your skin will look and feel smooth, fresh, and brand new.
It Gets Rid of Scarring
If you have scars left over from acne or other trauma, a collagen regeneration therapy treatment can go a long way towards getting rid of them. Our bodies generate scars whenever our skin suffers an injury. The body rushes to heal the wound so no bacteria can get in and endanger our health. This is an amazing, wonderful feature. The only problem with this process is that the body is far more concerned with closing up that wound and keeping us safe than it is with the way we look!
The scarring process uses fibrous and glue-like substances to get those wounds closed quickly, and that can actually pull the skin down and create the pockmarks we so often see from acne. The needling process breaks up these fibers and allows the skin to smooth out. You’ll see this process beginning almost immediately, and after as few as two treatments, the results can be dramatic.
It Treats Acne
Interestingly, dermatologists aren’t completely sure how this collagen regeneration therapy actually works to stop acne outbreaks, but it certainly does. There are a couple of theories. For one thing, by reducing blackheads, the therapy could be making acne less likely. For another, it may be interrupting sebum production, and over-production of this oily substance is at least part of most acne outbreaks.
What this means is that, unlike with some other skin treatments, you can get this type of needling done even if you have an active breakout. If you combine this collagen regeneration therapy with other interventions, you may be able to stop your acne in its tracks. Come talk to us at Prizant Dermatology to learn more about how to treat your acne through microneedling and other interventions.
It Reduces Spots and Hyperpigmentation
One of the most dreaded things about aging is the areas of hyperpigmentation that can develop. These are simply areas where the skin has responded to the sun and melanin has collected for one reason or another. They’re a natural part of the aging process, but that doesn’t mean anyone wants to put up with them.
This collagen regeneration therapy can smooth out your skin tone and reduce these spots so your skin looks even, smooth, and the same color throughout. You can help this process along even more by using a vitamin C serum. The best news of all is that unlike some laser treatments–which can’t be used to help with spots and skin tone issues on those with darker skin–skin needling is fine for everyone.
It Reduces Fine Lines and Wrinkles
This is possibly everyone’s favorite benefit to collagen regeneration therapy, and it really does work. After a series of treatments, you’ll notice that you’re looking distinctly younger. That’s because fine lines and wrinkles soften and become less noticeable.
This particular benefit takes a little longer to develop, but it’s definitely worth waiting for. And perhaps the nicest thing about it is that, because it does take some time, the results aren’t dramatic and shocking. No one will see you and think you had work done. Instead, they’ll just be commenting on how you look fresher, healthier, and younger somehow.
How does Microneedling Accomplish so Much?
These seven benefits are quite a lot for one treatment to accomplish, and it’s worth asking how this process actually works. It all starts with understanding what damages our skin and causes it to show signs of aging.
What Damages the Skin?
Sun Exposure
Dermatologists estimate that between 80% and 90% of the damage we see in our skin is the result of UV rays from the sun over a lifetime. If you’ve never developed the habit of using a good sunscreen whenever you’re exposed to the sun, and sometimes even if you have, you could be noticing this damage. Each of us is different, and our skin will respond in its own way to the damage of UV rays.
Loss of Collagen and Elastin
Collagen and elastin are two essential proteins that give our skin its strength and flexibility. Collagen forms a strong structure for the skin and anchors the top layers of the skin to the lower layers and the skin itself to the muscles and fat underneath. As this “scaffolding” starts to weaken, our skin falls into lines and wrinkles and begins to sag from the effects of gravity.
Elastin allows our skin to snap back when it’s pinched or pulled, and as we lose this protein, our skin tends to be less resilient. Our production of both these proteins drops off as we age. Certain things can accelerate that loss, such as too much sun exposure, hormonal issues, smoking, and poor dietary choices.
How Microneedling Pittsburgh Works
The skin needling process takes advantage of our body’s own natural healing powers. Our bodies do not naturally register sun damage and the effects of age as problems that need to be healed, which is why collagen and elastin don’t get sent to the area naturally. But our body will ramp up the production of both these substances and generate new skin and blood vessels to keep that skin healthy if it senses an injury.
The collagen regeneration therapy process works by using micro-thin needles to “injure” the skin. These injuries are so minor that they can’t hurt you, and they don’t start off a scarring process as with acne or a true wound. But they are just enough to trick your body into sending collagen, elastin, and healing factors to the face at levels you haven’t seen in years.
About Microneedling Pittsburgh Treatment
If you’re interested in seeing what collagen regeneration therapy can do for you, your first step is to set up a consultation with us. We would love to show you around our office and then get to know your unique skin challenges and goals. We can help you understand the best treatments or combination of treatments for you.
Determining Candidacy
This treatment is right for most people who are interested in it. It’s for adults only since it works best on people who are fully physically developed, but adults of any skin tone, skin color, and age can seek treatment. It doesn’t matter if your skin is thick or thin, either.
While it’s fine to have treatment when you have an acne breakout, you should wait if you have a rash or infection in the area. We want your body to be focused on repairing and rejuvenating the skin, not fighting off an infection! Microneedling Pittsburgh is located at Prizant Dermatology Pittsburgh PA just schedule your microneedling appointment if you’re a candidate for the treatment.
Treatment Process
There’s nothing special you need to do to prepare. Just come to our office with a clean face, and we’ll do the rest. We’ll first apply a numbing cream so you will be perfectly comfortable the whole time. It takes around a half-hour for this to take effect, and then we use the patented, gold-standard SkinPen to perform your treatment.
The SkinPen is the only FDA-approved needling device, and it meets the highest possible standards for safety and precision. We can adjust the needle depth for the different areas of the face and the thickness of the skin in each of those areas. You’ll be entirely comfortable throughout the treatment.
Aftercare
You can improve your results by taking good care of your skin. For the first few days, you should avoid anti-inflammatory medications, as these actually stop the process that collagen regeneration therapy is meant to start! It’s also important to carefully protect your skin from the sun and avoid any of the harsher topical treatments, like retinol.
You should avoid any hair removal treatments for a week before the session and for a few days afterward. You can shave before the treatment, but don’t pluck, wax, or use any lasers on the area. Finally, you don’t want to do anything that might introduce any bacteria into the micro-wounds, so avoid strenuous exercise, saunas, and any other situation that works up a good sweat. If you have any questions you may always contact us at Microneedling Pittsburgh customer care.
Follow-Up
Most people get the best results from a series of three to six treatments. Each treatment should be spaced four to six weeks apart to give your body time to start generating more growth and healing factors. Each of us is unique, and your body will respond to treatment in its own way. Once you’ve gotten the results you’re looking for, a maintenance treatment every month or so is usually enough to maintain them: unless you want to use it to treat acne. In that case, you could seek treatment more often.
See the Benefits for Yourself
If you’re interested in how this treatment can help you, then contact us at Prizant Dermatology Microneedling Pittsburgh treatment right now to learn more. We can’t wait for you to see the benefits for yourself!