Gone are the days of going above, beyond – and under the knife, in some cases – to achieve the unachievable when it comes to beauty. Modern-day treatments like microneedling are proof that advancements in the cosmetic world are on full throttle, and we’re gladly hopping in to enjoy the ride.
Since gaining notice in the 90s and steady popularity in the 2000s, microneedling has been dubbed skin care’s next big thing and even garnered a cult-following by A-list celebrities who deem it to be their secret to fresh, flawless skin. Luckily for you, skin clinics and beauty salons around the world are starting to offer this treatment at more affordable prices and less intimidating packages – Lovoir Skin Body & Beauty included!
If you’re looking to get in on the action but still have some questions, you’ve come to the right place. Before you decide to book your Dermapen Microneedling treatment with us, we’re sharing everything you need to know – the truths, the myths, and the magic. Let’s get started.
What is Microneedling?
Fun fact: Did you know that collagen and elastin are naturally-occurring proteins in our skin? While these terms are often thrown around by brands as inimitable buzzwords in anti-aging, these proteins are actually more common than you think. Making up roughly 80% of our skin, collagen and elastin are abundant within us. The real miracle is in its function – collagen is responsible for keeping our tissues connected and our bones strong, while elastin’s superpower is maintaining the shape and structure behind them. Together, they work to keep the skin functioning, firm and toned. However, as we age, our body produces less of them, resulting in skin that is more prone to wrinkles and fine lines. In fact, we lose about 1% of collagen every year once we turn 20.
This is where microneedling comes in. It is also known as collagen induction therapy because that’s exactly what it does – restore lost collagen in the skin . With the help of a Dermapen loaded with tiny sterilized needles, this cosmetic procedure subjects the skin to quick pricks that momentarily injure the skin and consequently trigger the production of more collagen and elastin. This natural wound-response of the body not only helps heal the skin from the punctures, but it brings with it a new layer of smoother, firmer, and younger-looking skin. In other words: Skin rejuvenation from the inside out!
Microneedling Benefits: What Does It Do For Your Skin?
While microneedling is most commonly used as an anti-aging treatment, it continues to prove itself as a master of all trades, solving a long list of skin concerns with a flick of a pen (literally!). Here’s a breakdown of benefits offered by microneedling:
Microneedling for Skin Aging
Fine lines and wrinkles are telltale signs of aging skin with less collagen production, and so it’s easy to imagine how microneedling can be a good solution. It helps to smoothen out uneven skin texture, giving off the impression of overall firmer skin.
Microneedling for Scarring
Acne scarring is a pain point among people of different ages, from mid-puberty to those well over their mid-life. The good news is, microneedling can help address this skin insecurity. The more collagen produced, the more skin tissue to fill in acne scars. That being said, the American Academy of Dermatology acknowledges microneedling as a great remedy for depressed acne scars in particular. Raised acne scars, on the other hand, may require a different injection treatment to flatten its surface.
Microneedling for Uneven Skin Tone and Discolouration
Microneedling also helps treat skin blemishes by improving your skin tone and lightening discolouration. The concept is simple: Skin blemishes are often a result of scarred tissues with an overabundance of capillaries; hence, the uneven skin tone and discolouration. With microneedling, the production of collagen forms new, healthy skin cells and tissues that diminish the appearance of dark spots, sun spots and blemishes.
What’s even more impressive – research has shown the association between microneedling and more serious skin conditions like rosacea. In a small study done by the American Society for Dermatological Society, a specific type of microneedling – Fractional Microneedling Radiofrequency – helped treat skin inflammation and discolouration caused by rosacea. 81% of patients saw clinically significant improvement after just 2 sessions, 4 weeks apart.
Microneedling for Stretch Marks
In a manner similar to reducing fine lines and wrinkles, microneedling’s collagen-inducing technology is beneficial for other parts of the body as well. Stomach, thighs and arms are common hotspots for stretch marks. Thanks to microneedling, you can improve the collagen content in these areas – tightening sagging skin and significantly reducing the appearance of stretch marks.
Procedure: How Does Microneedling Work?
Before Microneedling
First off, we encourage you to book a consultation with our skin therapist so we can properly assess your skin condition and make sure microneedling is the best solution for you. As an added bonus, this will give you a chance to get assurance from our experiences and assess your level of comfort with us before making any commitment. Feel free to ask us any questions – what device we use, how many sessions you need, the expected outcomes, and anything else on your mind!
During Microneedling
To start the microneedling procedure, we offer the option of applying numbing cream to the treated area. This will give you assurance of a comfortable experience throughout the procedure, many clients find that they don’t even need numbing cream however!
We’ll then proceed to apply our Dermapen™ tool about five times each in vertical, horizontal, and oblique directions until the whole face is covered. We’ll end by cleaning the treated area with saline, applying a soothing mask filled with healing ingredients, and finishing with a soothing cream and SPF to ease any possible discomfort.
Microneedling Aftercare: Tips To Heal Skin Properly
Before we let you get on with your day, we’ll give you a full list of of instructions to follow. For added measure, you can easily check our microneedling aftercare tips online!
After all, the road to best results includes proper maintenance so make sure to keep our tips in mind!
Read our Microneedling Aftercare Tips here
Microneedling Side Effects: What To Expect
Each microneedling session is 10-20 minutes long, with 6 sessions considered ideal to achieve the best results. This may seem like a handful to prepare for, but unlike less-invasive treatments, downtime is surprisingly minimal!
Apart from expected swelling and redness, there are no alarming side-effects that will prevent you from carrying on with your day-to-day. All you need is a prescription of personalised aftercare products and instructions specific to your concerns. This usually includes a topical antibiotic cream, regular applications of sunscreen, and a few days’ break from the gym.
If you’re interested in the nitty-gritty behind the microneedling technology, you can read our complete guide on the Dermapen benefits here.
Microneedling Risks: Myth vs. Truth
While the proof is in the benefits, a lot continues to be said about microneedling. And like many things on the internet, not all of them are necessarily accurate! Let’s settle the score once and for all – what is truth and what is myth?
Microneedling causes pain and bad side effects: Myth
Despite what its name suggests, microneedling is not as painful as it looks. If it is, it’s temporary; but mostly, it’s rare. Before the procedure begins, our skin therapists give you the option to apply a topical anesthesia on your face to numb it from the pricking that comes next. You may see a bit of bleeding caused by the punctures, but that’s just about as close as it gets to experiencing any pain during the actual procedure. Afterwards, a serum is lathered on your face to calm the skin and begin the healing process.
If any discomfort is felt at all, it usually comes within the next 24 to 72 hours. Like most invasive treatments, side effects are common and nothing to worry about. In the case of microneedling, you will notice swelling and redness immediately after the procedure, which will continue to persist for the next few days. Peeling may occur as well. Other than these physical effects, post-treatment pain is hardly ever an issue! Microneedling is a good alternative for those of you looking for effective results similar to chemical peels.
Microneedling is safe: Truth
Yes, yes, yes – we can’t stress this enough! We can personally attest to the safety of microneedling, having done countless procedures on satisfied customers. That being said, the safety of any treatment will always depend on picking the right place with the right tools and the right people.
Lovoir Skin Body & Beauty’s tool of choice: Dermapen™, the original and most trusted automated skin-needling device. It is specially created to penetrate the skin with the right level of depth and the right number of punctures to trigger the skin’s wound-response without overly injuring the skin.
That brings us to our second point, the right people: The right tools in the wrong hands can be a disaster for your skin. Be very meticulous in seeking professional services with a proven track record. As with all cosmetic procedures, there will always be risks. But at the end of the day, as long as you know your skin well, and you find a professional who knows it even better, safety should not be a concern. That said, we can assure you that our skin therapists are trained to perform our microneedling treatment with your wellbeing and comfort in mind!
Microneedling does not require a long period for recovery: Truth
Microneedling is the queen of low-maintenance when it comes to invasive treatments, sometimes even easier to recover from versus less-invasive ones. You may experience minor peeling, flaking, swelling, and redness afterwards, but that just means your skin is on its way to healing. Post-procedure downtime does not bury you in bed suffering from pain, nor does it limit you from leaving the house all together. In fact, it only consists of a short list of things to avoid – sun, make-up, and excessive sweating. And unlike chemical peels and laser treatments, these rules apply for a few days to a week at most. Basically put – no pain, all gain!
Microneedling is for everyone: Myth
While we wish everyone could benefit from the exceptional effects of microneedling, that’s unfortunately not the case. Given its semi-invasive nature, it is not recommended for pregnant women, people with skin infection, and those prone to keloid scarring.
Microneedling can be done anytime you want: Myth
Once you experience the impressive results of microneedling, we understand how it could be hard to stop yourself from booking your next session! But self-control is a must when it comes to microneedling.
As a general guideline, you are encouraged to take a break of 2 to 6 weeks in between sessions to allow your skin to properly recover and ultimately show off the improvement. Our skin therapists will advise what is right for you. Technically, there is no limit to the number of sessions you can have, as long as you observe the adequate rest period. Although research supports that two microneedling sessions are enough to see visible changes, many professionals recommend as many as six sessions to get the best results. Keep in mind though, it is important to know how much your skin can handle to prevent the risks of overdoing any treatment.
Safe, Effective Microneedling in Christchurch
Here at Lovoir Day Spa, we take pride in being a certified Dermapen4™ Authorized Treatment Provider, using the most advanced technology in microneedling with less pain, more precision, and overall best results. Book your microneedling treatment and we’ll make sure to deliver as promised!
Book Dermapen Microneedling here
If you decide that microneedling may not be the best fit for your skin, you can browse through the rest of our beauty treatments to find what suits you best.
Check out our full range of beauty treatments here
One of our latest customer favorites that will surely fit everyone is our Teeth Whitening treatment. With just one session, you’ll notice whiter, brighter, teeth! Not only will you walk away with a beautiful smile, but you’ll benefit from better oral health overall. Win-win!
Book Teeth Whitening here
Whatever it is you’re looking for, trust Lovoir to be your go-to destination for all things beauty! See you at the salon!
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