Microneedling: Get the Facts!
Today your dermatologist in Salem returns to provide you with some helpful information on our microneedling treatment, or skin needling, process. At Valley View Dermatology, microneedling skincare treatments, also known as Collagen-Induction Therapy (CIT), use the Eclipse MicroPen, a safer and more effective alternative to dermal rollers and other similar CIT devices. A breakthrough innovation in aesthetic medicine, the Eclipse MicroPen offers our Salem dermatologists an exciting new tool in the treatment of fine lines, acne scarring, hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation, and in the general improvement of your skin’s overall appearance.
What is microneedle treatment
Like the name suggests, microneedle treatment utilizes tiny needles to create controlled micro-injuries to the surface of your skin. These minimally invasive punctures cause the body to produce collagen and elastin in response as part of the skin’s natural repair process. The excess of collagen and elastin produced results in a thicker dermis with the appearance of softer wrinkles.
To reduce any discomfort caused by the microneedling pen, we apply a topical numbing agent to the skin cream prior to the treatment. A sterile needle tip containing 12 tiny microneedles is attached to the Eclipse MicroPen. Your Salem Valley View Dermatology clinic skin care technician will apply a thin layer of topical gel to your skin and select the appropriate treatment depth based on your unique microneedle skin care needs. The microneedling pen is then gently pressed against the surface of your skin as the technician gently glides the pen over the entire treatment area.
Quality skincare products can help speed up the healing process
Immediately following the treatment, you will notice a bright redness to the skin and possibly some slight inflammation. The total healing time depends on the depth of the needles used and the number of overlapping passes your skincare technician performs. On average, patients are red for two to four days, but some patients have completely healed in just 24 hours. Utilizing the quality skincare products provided by your skincare technician can help speed up the healing process.
Visible changes to the skin develop over the course of several days and weeks. Results from microneedling will continue to improve up to six months after the treatment as collagen production continues. We recommend microneedle facial treatments take place over three sessions, as studies have found that the best results come after three sessions, each a month apart.
If you have any questions about whether microneedle facial treatments are right for you or what microneedle results can mean to the health of your skin, please call our Skincare Services Desk at 503.588.0475.