A Closer Look: What Is Microneedling?

As your skin ages, it can begin to look more lined, have increased hyperpigmentation from sun damage, and start to sag. Other complexion concerns such as acne scarring, rough textured skin, rosacea, and more can be present at any age. Microneedling treatments can help to address signs of aging as well as concerns about skin texture and complexion.

At Rock Creek Wellness, we love being able to work with your skin to help it to produce more collagen and to heal itself. Microneedling can be a worthwhile addition to your skincare routine because it can stimulate natural healing responses in the skin and can help target certain skin concerns even more effectively than creams and serums alone.

What Is Microneedling?

During microneedling treatments, a device containing several rows of tiny needles is stamped onto the skin. The needles puncture the skin at pre-set depths. These perforations are created across the entire treatment area. 

At our practice, we use the SkinPen by Crown Aesthetics which utilizes technology to ensure that the skin is perforated without tearing, scratching, or damaging the tissue. This device also offers adjustable needle depth to help target different concerns and disposable needle cartridges to ensure a sterile and hygienic treatment. 

How Does Microneedling Work?

During microneedling treatments the tiny holes that are created in the skin, called microchannels, prompt your body to begin a healing process. While your body is healing these perforations, both the deeper layers of skin and the superficial layers begin receiving benefits. 

In the dermis, fibroblasts are recruited which begin producing collagen and elastin fibers. In the epidermis, the skin cell turnover rate is increased which can replace old, dull skin with newer, softer, and more evenly toned skin. Microneedling can also be combined with serums which can absorb faster during treatment and provide additional benefits. 

5 Microneedling Benefits

Improves Skin Texture and Tone

Many different factors can impact the tone of the skin on your face. Exposure to harsh UV rays can cause hyperpigmentation as more melanin is produced in the area. The skin can also change color and become darker in certain areas as a result of acne breakouts, scarring, or irritation. If the texture or tone of your skin is uneven, a microneedling procedure can help by stimulating the growth of new skin cells that match your natural skin tone.

Minimizes Fine Lines and Wrinkles

One of the many microneedling benefits that our patients seek out is the anti-aging properties of this treatment. Needle depth can be adjusted to help target fine lines as well as deeper lines on the face. When collagen fibers increase under the skin, the surface of the skin is better supported and able to become more flat and smooth. Microneedling treatments stimulate collagenesis which can lead to firmer skin with fewer lines and wrinkles.

Treats Acne Scars

The SkinPen can penetrate depths deep enough to provide treatment for certain types of acne scars. Before our microneedling services, we will have a consultation and examine your skin to determine if microneedling for acne scars will be effective in your case. By restoring some of the tissue that was lost while your body healed from acne breakouts, microneedling can help to improve the texture of acne-scarred skin.

Can Help Restore Volume

While microneedling procedures cannot restore fat pads that can sometimes be lost as you age, it can help restore the appearance of volume in your cheeks, temples, or around the eyes by increasing the thickness and firmness of the skin. This can help your face to look more youthful. 

Is Minimally Invasive

Microneedling services can be beneficial for many patients because they are minimally invasive treatments that don’t require a lot of downtimes. Even though you may have a little redness as your body increases the blood flow in your face, most people can return to work and social activities within a day or two of treatment.

How Soon Will You Begin to Notice Your Microneedling Results?

Microneedling results appear gradually as collagen and elastin increase and new skin grows in the areas that were treated with the microneedles. While everyone will have a different experience, it can take a month or more to see a noticeable difference in your skin. 

How Many Microneedling Treatments Will You Need?

Some people will need more than one session to see full results from their microneedling treatments. Every patient who comes to us will have an individualized treatment plan. We may be able to recommend a certain number of treatments based on the concerns that you want us to address. 

If you have more severe acne scars or deeper lines and wrinkles, you may need 3 or more treatments before your skin starts to feel and look smoother. After your initial series of treatments, we can reevaluate your skin and decide whether additional sessions will be beneficial to encourage further collagenesis. 

Professional Microneedling Treatments

At Rock Creek Wellness, we offer you the benefit of microneedling services that are performed and supervised by licensed and board-certified physicians. Our medical director Mark Strehlow, MD along with Dr. Mark McPhee and Hanna Osborn, APRN is available for personalized consultations. At our practice, we focus on overall health and wellness, preventative medicine, and treatments such as microneedling that encourage natural healing in targeted locations. We also have a wide range of cosmetic services that can address many different concerns. 

Whether you are seeking out microneedling for acne scars, fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, or more, we can help. Call us today at (913) 727-7700 or fill out a form online to schedule your first consultation.