Skincare
What is Microneedling?
Microneedling, also called percutaneous collagen induction therapy, is performed using a handheld, drum- or pen-shaped device, electrically powered, with tiny needles that make precise, microscopic punctures in the skin. These “micro-injuries” do not leave scars; they work by helping to stimulate the skin to repair itself naturally through a process called dermal remodeling.
This process starts with inflammation, which stimulates the skin to produce new collagen (the elastic fibers that make skin tight, smooth, and youthful). Collagen levels in the skin decline as we age, and new collagen can be produced when the skin is in repair mode.
Three to five monthly or biweekly treatments are recommended to achieve desired results. Through a series of sessions, microneedling can increase elastic skin fibers. Microneedling also helps the epidermis (the outermost layer of skin), which naturally thins with age, become thicker and tauter.
Microneedling is used to treat a variety of skin conditions that cause depressions in the skin such as acne scarring, surgical scars, other scars, burns, enlarged pores, wrinkles, and stretch marks. (The procedure is less effective on deep, narrow “ice-pick” acne scars than on broader ones.)
Microneedling does not deliver heat to the skin like lasers do. As a result, people who have melasma (dark patches of skin) and hyperpigmentation (dark spots on the skin) can undergo microneedling without the risk of worsening pigmentation problems. (Darker skin is susceptible to pigmentation changes as a post-inflammatory response.)
Microneedling is sometimes used to help topical skin treatments to penetrate the skin more effectively. For example, microneedling is sometimes performed before application of minoxidil, used to treat common hair loss (androgenic alopecia, which affects both men and women).
There are a few temporary side effects to be aware of with microneedling. The procedure causes short-term swelling, redness, and skin flaking, which can last for a few days. Most people can return to wearing regular makeup within a day of treatment. Skin will be more sun-sensitive after treatment, so sunscreen is also advised.
Microneedling may worsen active breakouts, so people with active inflammatory acne or oral herpes should not be treated with microneedling until the lesions have cleared. Those with a history of oral herpes may be prescribed an oral antiviral medication for one week following treatment because the procedure may stimulate a new cold sore.
What is Microneedling with PRP?
Microneedling with PRP is a cosmetic treatment that stimulates collagen production by rolling fine needles over the skin and applying platelets, which are one of the components of blood.
The addition of PRP from the blood may make microneedling more effective. The liquid in blood is plasma, while platelets are solid. Platelets help blood clot, so they are vital for healing wounds and injuries. PRP is plasma in which the concentration of platelets is higher than that of other components of the blood.
A practitioner will take a blood sample and then use a spinning tool called a centrifuge to separate the PRP from the rest of the blood. PRP contains proteins, including growth factors and cytokines. These proteins help skin tissue repair itself.
First, a practitioner will use a microneedling tool to prick the skin, making tiny holes in the skin’s surface. They will then apply PRP to these tiny holes to encourage collagen production and cell reproduction.
Benefits
People may consider having microneedling with PRP if they want to treat certain marks or blemishes on the body or face for cosmetic reasons. Practitioners may use microneedling with PRP to treat:
- surgical scars
- wrinkles and fine lines
- hyperpigmentation
- sun damage
- large pores
- uneven skin texture
- acne scars
The addition of PRP to microneedling may speed up the healing process and stimulate skin renewal, potentially producing better results than microneedling alone. The authors of a 2016 study looked at the benefits of adding PRP to microneedling for acne scars. In a trial of 50 people with acne scars, microneedling with distilled water led to a 45.84% improvement in acne scars. Microneedling with PRP improved acne scars by 62.20%. None of the participants reported any lasting side effects from the treatment. According to a 2019 review of PRP microneedling for acne scars, various studies showed that the addition of PRP to microneedling:
- improved acne scarring
- provided higher patient satisfaction
- decreased the amount of downtime that people needed after the procedure
Researchers still need further evidence to confirm these findings, however. The number of treatments that a person receives will vary. People may need repeat treatments to see results from microneedling with PRP. Larger scars or burns may take longer to respond to treatment. If people are receiving PRP microneedling treatment for signs of aging skin, they may wish to have repeat treatments. Microneedling with PRP can also take a few weeks to show results, as the body takes time to produce collagen. As a result, people can expect to keep seeing improvements in their skin in the weeks following their treatment. People with acne scars may notice a gradual improvement in the skin in less than 9 months. People usually respond well to microneedling treatments and require only minimal recovery time. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, microneedling “is safe for all skin colors.”
What is Microneedling with PRF?
Also called “true blood therapy,” PRF microneedling is a treatment that involves taking a vial of the patient’s blood. In a centrifuge, regenerative cells and growth factors in proteins, which are responsible for recovery and rejuvenation, are separated from red blood cells and other contents. This concentrated dose of regenerative cells and growth factors is delivered into the skin through a tiny, superficial needle in several areas to stimulate healing.
Benefits
Compared to other aesthetic treatments, PRF microneedling comes with many advantages for you as the patient, including the following:
- Plumpness and lighter skin under the eyes.
- Clear visible results
- Healthy younger appearing skin
- Fuller skin in the cheeks.
- Firmer and tighter skin.
- Lessened wrinkles.
- Fewer dark spots and acne scars.
- No additives
- Short sessions with long results
Unlike some other treatments, PRF microneedling typically takes about 30 minutes to complete, which means you can be in and out and back to your normal schedule. It may be a few days before you see results, but they tend to last longer than PRP treatment. With PRF microneedling, you can still gain wisdom over time without accepting wrinkles and other signs of aging. You can look and feel your best through this innovative treatment that simply takes advantage of your own body’s own healing proteins.