Are you on the fence about whether microneedling will help you get rid of acne scars or fine lines to give you the soft, smooth skin you crave?
People wanting to improve the way their skin looks often choose microneedling because it delivers better and longer-lasting results than some treatments while being safer and requiring less recovery time than other options.
What is microneedling, and what can it treat?
Microneedling is a remodeling procedure that pierces the skin with tiny needles, causing micro-injuries, which spur the skin’s repair process. It is a common treatment for acne, acne scars, melasma, melanosis, fine lines and aging skin. Because no laser is used in microneedling, the treatment is a good option for people with all shades of skin.
Better + longer-lasting results
Compared to other treatments, the results of microneedling are better and longer lasting. Microneedling gives clients smooth, soft, rejuvenated skin for a longer period of time than they would receive with treatments like facials, microdermabrasion and some peels. Microneedling results last longer than these other treatments because it stimulates collage production that continues for months after the session.
In the hierarchy of cosmetic procedures, there are less-aggressive and more-aggressive treatments. The more aggressive the treatment, the better and longer the results, but that comes at the cost of increased discomfort and recovery time. From least aggressive to most, they are:
- Facials to deep clean the skin
- Microdermabrasion to renew skin tone and texture
- Microdermabrasion with a light or medium peel to treat uneven skin tone and fine lines
- Broadband light to treat dull skin and fine lines
- Microneedling to treat acne, acne scars, melasma, melanosis, fine lines and aging skin
- Microneedling with a light or medium peel to treat wrinkles, scars and aging skin
- Light, medium or deep chemical peel to treat wrinkles, skin discoloration and scars
- Laser resurfacing to treat fine lines, loss of skin tone and scars
Safer + less recovery
When people are considering microneedling as a treatment for their condition, they are often trying to decide between a stronger peel and microneedling.
Peels, which are classified as superficial, medium and deep, are composed of varying chemical agents and strengths to remove the top layers of skin. The skin that grows back is smoother and looks younger. Sometimes peels are appropriate and necessary. A superficial peel can treat acne, fine wrinkles, uneven skin tone and dryness while a medium peel can treat wrinkles, acne scars and uneven skin tone. A deep peel can treat scars, deeper wrinkles and may be recommended in the case of precancerous growths. Recovery is more painful for deep chemical peels. Recovery time depends on the type and strength of the peel, but it can vary from two to ten days.
Microneedling is aggressive in that it causes micro-injuries to the skin, but the strongest class of peels removes tissue. Because of the tissue removal that happens with deep peels, there is a greater risk of adverse effects like discoloration and infection. The recovery time from microneedling is usually one to two days. As such, microneedling is safer than a deep peel.
However, people who want to be aggressive in their treatment can pair microneedling with a superficial or medium peel. Microneedling creates channels to deliver the peel solution deeper in your pores, so a stronger chemical agent is unnecessary. This combination is safer because lower-strength peels are inherently safer for your skin, and you still achieve better results than you would with the stronger peel alone. Because the peel is of a lower strength, there is also a lower risk of adverse side effects.
For these reasons, microneedling is a good option for those who want the smoothest, best-looking skin possible for the longest time with the least discomfort and risk.
Not sure which treatment is right for your skin? Call our office at 214-303-1102 to schedule a consultation or request a callback, so we can find the right treatment to help you achieve your goals.