Your face bears acne scars. Facial wrinkles make you look older than you are. Your skin sags where it once was taut. If you relate to any of the aforementioned problems, you may benefit greatly from SkinPen microneedling treatments at Shenandoah Women’s Healthcare in Harrisonburg, VA. Today, we’re answering some of the most frequently asked questions about this restorative skin care treatment. Read on to learn how many sessions you will need, how long your results will last, and more.
FAQs About SkinPen Microneedling Treatments Answered
How Many Microneedling Treatments Do You Need?
You may need between one and six SkinPen microneedling treatments to achieve your desired results. If you’re trying to minimize your pores, you should only expect to need one treatment session. On the other hand, you may need two or three treatment sessions to erase moderate-to-severe wrinkles and folds.
If you have severe cosmetic concerns, such as deep scars, you may need between four and six treatment sessions to erase your concerns. We can advise you on how many sessions you should expect to need once we have evaluated the severity of your cosmetic concerns during your initial consultation.
How Does SkinPen Microneedling Work?
Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, works by kickstarting your skin’s collagen production process. When the fine needles penetrate your skin, your skin immediately identifies “micro-injuries.” In response, your skin starts to generate new tissue rich in strong, healthy collagen.
This new skin is more even in texture and tone. For instance, scars will become smoother and lighter. Dully, ruddy skin looks bright and beautiful. Loose skin becomes firm. Old-looking skin appears young and fresh. All of this, and more, is thanks to the incredible power of collagen.
Will My Results Look Natural?
Yes, the results of microneedling look completely natural. Some of the most popular cosmetic treatments involve the injection of artificial dermal fillers. Microneedling provides natural-looking results after every treatment because your skin heals itself using the collagen it produces. You can rest assured your results will look natural every time because you’re not relying on synthetic chemicals to volumize your skin.
How Often Should I Get Treatments?
SkinPen microneedling sessions are usually spaced four to six weeks apart. Sessions are spaced at least one month apart because it can take anywhere from four to six weeks for the full results of treatment to be realized. Additionally, collagen is induced due to micro-injuries created during treatment. Those micro-injuries need time to heal fully before another treatment session is received.
How Long Will the Results of This Treatment Last?
You can expect your treatment results to last a lifetime if you are getting collagen induction therapy to erase scars. The treatment of enlarged pores will also last for many months. If you’re worried about wrinkles and other signs of aging, you should expect your treatment results to last for at least six months.
Is This Treatment Safe?
Yes, this treatment is completely safe for most healthy adults. Our expert aestheticians are trained in the proper microneedling technique. As the FDA-approved dermal roller is passed over your skin gently, it will be held at a 45-degree angle. This ensures your skin will not be nicked or otherwise injured.
Will This Treatment Hurt?
No, collagen induction therapy does not hurt. In fact, this restorative treatment isn’t even uncomfortable. Before the microneedling process begins, we will clean your skin and apply a topical numbing cream. It takes several minutes for this anesthetic to take effect, but you won’t be able to feel anything once your skin is numbed. This ensures your comfort throughout the entire treatment session.
What Can I Expect During My Session?
As noted above, your skin will be cleaned and numbed before the treatment begins. Once your skin is prepared for treatment, we will pass the SkinPen microneedling device over your skin evenly. The scope of your treatment will affect how long it takes, but most sessions can be completed in 45 minutes. The microneedling process itself takes roughly half of an hour to complete, and it takes around 15 minutes for the topical anesthetic to numb your skin.
What Can I Expect After My Treatment Session?
After your microneedling session, you may receive a hydrating serum. We can help you decide during your initial consultation whether a post-treatment hydrating serum will benefit you. After your session is complete, we will discuss your post-treatment care requirements. After that, you are free to return to work. There is no downtime required following your treatment session.
Are There Any Restrictions Following Microneedling?
Yes, there are restrictions following microneedling. For example, you should avoid vigorous exercise and unprotected sun exposure during the first three days following your treatment session. You should also avoid putting too much pressure on your face for a few days after your treatment.
Is This Treatment Really Effective?
When performed by a professional dermatologist with the SkinPen device, microneedling absolutely works. The SkinPen device has been tested rigorously in many double-blind, third-party clinical trials. The results of these clinical trials have shown that this device is truly effective for the treatment of many cosmetic concerns.
How Should I Prepare for My Session?
We will give you an all-inclusive set of preparation guidelines once we determine you are a good candidate for this restorative skin care treatment. One of the most important preparation steps you must take is wearing sunscreen diligently in the 14 days leading up to your treatment session. If your skin is irritated at the time of your appointment, you will need to reschedule your session.
You should also prevent skin irritation by taking an antiviral during the weeks leading up to your treatment if you have a history of oral herpes outbreaks. Additionally, skincare products with retinol, like anti-aging serums and anti-acne creams, should be avoided for several weeks before your treatment. You should also stop taking any drugs or supplements that thin the blood.
Am I a Good Candidate for This Treatment?
We will determine whether you are a good candidate for collagen induction therapy when you come in for an initial evaluation. Typically, you will be considered a good candidate for this treatment if you are concerned about the appearance of your skin tone, your skin texture, age spots, hyperpigmentation, a dull, ruddy complexion, scars, sunspots, and acne.
That said, this treatment isn’t ideal for everyone. For example, the FDA has not approved SkinPen microneedling for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. It is also not recommended for people who are currently going through chemotherapy or radiation therapy. We also need to know about all of the dietary supplements and pharmaceuticals you are currently taking to ensure this treatment is right for you.
Can I Do This at Home?
Unfortunately, you cannot safely or effectively perform microneedling at home. While it may seem like a good way to save a couple of bucks, the needles do not penetrate the skin deeply enough to produce your desired results. Even worse, the length of the needles are not customizable and the needles are larger in diameter, meaning they will be uncomfortable.
If you try to perform collagen induction therapy at home, you must do it without a topical numbing cream. Moreover, there is a chance that you will not sanitize the treatment site effectively. If the treatment is not performed in a sterile environment, you run a significant risk of infection. Don’t risk pain, discomfort, no results, and infection. Leave collagen induction therapy to the professionals.
Can This Treatment Be Performed With Other Treatments?
Yes, collagen induction therapy can be performed in conjunction with other aesthetic services. During your initial evaluation, we will discuss all of your cosmetic concerns. If some of your cosmetic concerns, like dynamic wrinkles, cannot be treated with collagen induction therapy, we will tailor a treatment plan that will address all of your concerns. For example, if you are worried about the appearance of dynamic wrinkles, you will need injectable muscle relaxants to smooth those wrinkles away effectively.
Botox is an FDA-approved injectable muscle relaxant that most commonly treats glabellar lines between the brows and forehead folds above the brows. That said, it can safely and effectively treat any dynamic wrinkles or folds. It can even be used to augment the lips and smooth away wrinkles around the mouth non-invasively.
How Quickly You Can See Results
You can expect to see the initial results of Botox injections within one to two days of treatment. However, it can take between eight and 10 days for the final results of the treatment to become apparent.
How Long Your Results Will Last
Individual results vary, but you can expect the results of your treatment to last between four and six months. Results tend to last longer in individuals with mild-to-moderate dynamic wrinkles. If your dynamic folds are severe, you will probably need to come in for maintenance sessions three times annually rather than twice annually.
How To Prepare for Botox
To prepare for Botox, you should avoid taking blood thinners for seven days before your scheduled appointment. In the 72 hours leading up to your session, you should not use any topical products containing retinol. Chemical peels should also be avoided during this time. Furthermore, you should avoid removing hair from the treatment area and drinking alcohol during the 24 hours immediately preceding your treatment.
On the day of your session, you should come in with a bare face. You may apply makeup after your treatment session, but any cosmetics you come in with will be removed before your session begins.
How To Care for Your Skin After Botox
Caring for your skin after Botox is very similar to caring for your skin after microneedling. For example, you are free to return to work, but you should avoid vigorous exercise during the first 24 hours following your treatment session. Additionally, you should avoid other activities that may result in excessive sweating or heat, like dry saunas, steam rooms, and hot baths.
Furthermore, you should wear broad-spectrum sunscreen whenever you go outside for at least 24 hours following your treatment. For the longest-lasting results, you should make adequate sun protection part of your regular skincare routine.
Book an Initial Evaluation Today
The SkinPen microneedling device is the only FDA-approved dermal roller. With this safe, effective device, you may need between one and six treatment sessions to achieve your desired results. These results become apparent quickly, last for months at a time and can even last a lifetime. Contact us today at Shenandoah Women’s Healthcare in Harrisonburg, VA to schedule your initial consultation and find out if this treatment is right for you.