Why is microneedling – something that sounds so unpleasant – one of the increasingly favorite aesthetic procedures of “those in the know” cosmetic dermatology patients? This may be because it has a considerably lower price point, a shorter recovery time than most laser procedures, and can offer results equal to lasers in many cases. It is no surprise then that even the busiest (and most price-conscious) patients will turn to microneedling to improve their skin texture and tone. In fact, for those patients with darker skin tones who are not good candidates for lasers, microneedling can achieve the results that for so long have only been available to those who are candidates for lasers. Moreover, microneedling can be performed closer to the eye area than lasers – a problem spot with fine lines and wrinkles for many people.

Why does it work so well to improve and correct skin texture problems? As this informative article says, “You can think of microneedling as collagen induction—or collagen induction therapy.” As our skin ages, the production of collagen and elastin slows and even can stop causing our skin to appear thin and wrinkled. Microneedling involves the delivery of tiny wounds using a specialized single use tip. This tip pricks then skin’s layers which stimulates the growth of collagen. Lackluster collagen is newly stimulated by this treatment creating a more youthful and uniform skin appearance with improvement in texture, thickness, and skin elasticity. It can also be used to correct scarring, minimize wrinkles, and shrink enlarged pores.

Some patients opt to do a single treatment to achieve glowing skin while others who want to tackle challenging issues such as scarring or wrinkling may need 3-5 treatments spaced around 1 month apart. Each procedure takes about 30 minutes to perform and patients will need to be numbed for about an hour prior to the procedure. Our providers will give you recommendations for number of treatment sessions and timeline at your consultation.
The procedure is very comfortable with topical numbing and the downtime is minimal with most patients experiencing redness the day of and day after procedure and some minimal pinpoint bruising. Skin care products to enhance the results from the microneedling are recommended and typically makeup can be applied the following day. Results are typically seen in about 3-4 weeks.

This May, Nua, the Medical Spa at Charlottesville Dermatology is offering $200 off a series of 3 microneedling treatments to help you reveal your inner beauty. Please call (434)956-4835 if you have questions or would like to schedule a free consultation.