Microneedling and PRP (platelet rich plasma)

1. What Is It?

This is technique involving the use of tiny needles to penetrate the skin and create controlled micro injury. It is designed to stimulate your body’s natural collagen production process. This results in a smooth, firm, evenly toned skin. It is commonly used to shrink enlarged pores, treat wrinkles, and reduce the appearance of acne scars, usually on the face.

This treatment is also known as collagen induction therapy and can be used to smooth out and reduce the uneven pigmentation of stretch marks.

2. How Long Does It Take to See Results?

Microneedling when to see results? The initial skin tightening and pore reduction can be seen immediately after treatment. However, you won’t see your final microneedling results until four to six weeks after your anti-aging treatment. Both collagen production and cellular turnover are accelerated, but it still takes your body time to produce new, strong, healthy collagen.

3. Does Treatment Hurt?

It may seem intimidating to have your skin punctured by needles, especially if your face is being treated. But treatment is not painful at all because the needles used are so fine and we apply numbing cream prior to the microneedling to ensure optimal comfort. It usually takes between 20-30 minutes to take effect.

4. What Can I Expect During Treatment?

Once the numbing cream has taken effect, it will be removed and your treatment sites will be sterilized. Once your skin is cleansed, the microneedle pen is used to cover the entire surface of your skin using small circular motions in continuous lines. Each treatment site is treated once unless a particular area needs extra attention.

5. How Long Does Treatment Last?

A treatment session itself only lasts between 30-45 minutes depending on how many areas need to be treated. However, you must wait for the numbing cream to take effect and have your treatment area disinfected.

Expect to spend at least an hour or two from start to finish. When you come in for your one-on-one consultation, we will assess the quality of your skin, discuss your aesthetic goals, and give you a better idea of how long you can expect treatment to take.

6. What Is a PRP (platelet rich plasma) Facial?

PRP, or platelet-rich plasma, involves drawing several milliliters of your blood and separating it into its three components – platelet-rich plasma, platelet-poor plasma, and red blood cells – in a centrifuge. PRP has growth factors in it, whichh promotes your body to produce collagen. The centrifuge process alone will add five to 10 minutes to your expected treatment time. It is used to promote faster, more dramatic results than traditional collagen induction therapy. It is applied to the face or treated area during microneedling. A PRP “facial” can actually be done anywhere on the body where there is concern for treatment: pigment, scarring, stretch marks, etc.

7. Am I a Good Candidate for Microneedling?

If you are at least 20 years of age, there is an excellent chance you are a good candidate for collagen induction therapy. Collagen induction therapy is great for any skin type because it encourages your body’s natural cellular turnover process.

8. What If I’m Pregnant?

Collagen induction therapy is recommended for pregnant women because other skin rejuvenation treatments, like deep chemical peels, are unsafe for pregnant women. For a comprehensive list of skincare treatments you can invest in while pregnant, come in for a consultation.

10. What Are the Best Complementary Treatments?

The best treatments to complement your collagen induction therapy treatment sessions depends on your aesthetic goals. If you’re looking to reduce the appearance of acne scars, stretch marks or scars from traumatic injuries, peels between sessions will help you reach your goal faster.

If you’re using collagen induction therapy for anti-aging purposes, like skin tightening, dermal fillers and neuromodulators are probably your best plan of action.

11. Does It Treat Acne?

Many people think microneedling helps to treat acne because their acne seems to clear up better after treatment. This isn’t quite true. The treatment offers many benefits, including a reduction in pore size. However, it also unclogs your pores so acne medication can seep into your skin and have the opportunity to work.

This treatment doesn’t just make prescription acne creams more effective, though. Unclogged pores allow all types of creams and ointments to soak into your skin more efficiently. This includes everything from anti-aging creams and moisturizers to anti-inflammatory creams. If you currently use skincare products other than soap at home, and you’re currently healthy, collagen induction therapy will take your skincare game to the next level. It is however a first line treatment for cane scarring.

12. How Long Do the Results Last?

Microneedling results how long? The results from your first round of treatment will last between four and six weeks after they have finalized. Thus, you should expect to come in for a follow-up treatment eight to 12 weeks after your first treatment. Keep in mind, however, that you may not need to come in so soon. You may find that the results of treatment last longer depending on a number of factors.

13. How Do I Extend the Results of My Treatment?

The best way to extend the results of your collagen induction therapy treatment is to take care of your body and your skin. To prevent premature skin sagging, drink at least eight to 10 cups of water daily depending on your weight, activity level, local climate, and current humidity levels.

You should also get enough nutrients in your diet, whether from vitamin supplements or eating more nutrient-dense foods. Among the most important nutrients for skin health are vitamins K, D, C, A, E, and all B vitamins.

14. How Many Treatments Will I Need?

To eliminate or drastically reduce the appearance of scars or pigment, you will probably need between three and six treatments scheduled 4-6 weeks apart, depending on how deep or thick and discolored your scars are. For cellular turnover and anti-aging rejuvenation, you will probably only need between one and two treatments seasonally to achieve your desired microneedling results.

15. Tell me about Hair PRP.

Hair PRP consists of PRP Iinjections into the thinning areas of the scalp. This promotes hair growth and follicle stimulation. This is a three treatment series spaced 6 weeks apart followed by one annual maintenance treatment.

16. What is PRP FACELIFT?

A PRP facelift involves injecting PRP into areas of the face that need regeneration like stubborn lines or acne scars.

Pre-treatment

1. Sun exposure and/or usage of a tanning bed, including self-tanning products must be avoided for a minimum of 24 hours before and after the treatment, preferably 1 week. Treatment within 24 hours of prolonged sun exposure (natural sunlight, artificial tanning booth, or sunless tanning products) may result in hypopigmentation (white spots) or hyperpigmentation (dark spots) that may not clear for several months or may even be permanent. A Micro Needling treatment will not be administered on sunburned skin.

2. Accutane and any other photosensitizing medication should be discontinued for a period of at least 6 months prior to receiving treatment and should not be used during your course of treatment.

3. No area to be treated should receive any type of Chemical Peel for 2 weeks prior and after treatment. Retin-A, Renova, and Tazorac must not be used for 1 week prior to or after treatment.

4. Waxing and/or use of chemical depilatories must be avoided for 2 weeks prior and after the treatment. Shaving is allowed immediately before treatment and 48-72 hours after treatment as long as there is no skin irritation.

5. You may not be pregnant for this treatment.

6. Notify the provider of any tattoos, including cosmetic tattooing and microblading, in the vicinity of the area to be treated as tattoos must be avoided.

7. If you have a history of cold sores, we may recommend prophylactic antiviral therapy in the form of Valtrex® or Aycyclovir. If so, contact your primary care provider and follow the directions for your prescription.

8. During the course of your treatments, notify our staff of any changes to your medical history, health status, or personal activities that may be relevant to your treatment.

Post-treatment-

 
**Neocutis Aftercare or Epionce Post Treatment Care Kit are HIGHLY recommend to optimize recovery comfort and results!

1. A sunburn-like effect is normal for 1-3 days. You will look and feel sunburned after the treatment. Severity of redness will depend on how aggressive the treatment was performed. The skin may feel tight, dry, swollen, and sensitive to the touch. The treated area may appear darker and the darkened skin may flake off within 1 week. Avoid picking or exfoliating the area and allow old skin to flake off naturally. Do not use exfoliating medications, chemicals, or products on the treated areas for at least 1 week.

2. The morning after, Wash the treated area gently with a gentle cleanser or water. Apply After Care if provider recommends, and as needed for the next 24 hours. Avoid any products with parabens, petroleum, mineral oil, silicone, cetyl alcohol, and fragrance. Do NOT use alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids, retinol (vitamin A), vitamin C or anything perceived as ‘active’ skin care.

3. 24-72 hours post-treatment – mineral makeup can be applied.

4. 48-72 hours post-treatment – return to regular skin care regimen. Retinol products are strongly suggested for optimal results.

5. Sun exposure must be avoided for at least 24 hours after your treatment, preferably 1-2 weeks. If you know you will get incidental sun exposure, i.e., driving to and from work, walking from your car to the house, etc., we recommend physical avoidance of the sun in all treated areas, a protective hat and a full spectrum sun block of SPF 30 or higher. SPF products are available.

6. No exercise that causes sweating, Jacuzzi, sauna, or steam baths if any skin irritation exists (usually first 24 hours). Sweating can be harmful due to bacterial that may cause infections and adverse outcomes. No swimming for 24 hours

7. Tylenol may be taken as necessary for discomfort. Ice packs may be used if desired to minimize swelling.

8. Sleep on your back with your head elevated slightly to reduce swelling.

9. For best results and efficacy, we recommend a series of 5-8 treatments administered at 4-6 week intervals. You may notice immediate as well as longer term improvements in your skin. Once results achieved, maintaining every 4-6 months is optimal.

How it works:

v Micro-needling creates very minor micro injuries which cause a cascade where growth factors are released triggering collagen synthesis which increases collagen formation and allows your plasma to be absorbed into the skin.

How Does Micro-needling Help the Skin Look Flawless?

v Increases collagen production which; restores lost volume, smooths acne scars and decreases hyperpigmentation, sunspots, pore size, fine lines, and wrinkles – leading to tightened and improved skin over 3 months.

v Also known as Collagen Induction Therapy, this process is proven to restructure existing collagen fibers

Does it hurt?

v No, a very strong local anesthetic cream is applied to the skin 30 minutes in advance making your experience very pleasant. After the procedure, your skin may look and feel slightly sunburned for 24 hours. Make up can be applied 24 hours after procedure is performed.

Are there Side Effects?

v Risk of infection and skin discoloration is a VERY rare, but potential side effect. Bruising of the blood draw area may appear.

When will I See Results?

v 3 Days – sunburn look is gone

v 3 Weeks – New blood vessels begin to form, bringing increased blood flow for collagen to form. 

v 3-6 Months – Overall improvement of skin tone, texture, and reduction of fine lines.

 Many patients say they look TEN YEARS younger with 3-5 consecutive treatments.

We offer various serums including PDO MAX, exosomes, AnteAGE tightening and brightening, hyluronic acid, and Lum Envy and we will help you choose the perfect serum to boost your microneedling results!