After our chat about the natural healing properties of platelets in last week’s blog and with the news in the Irish Independent online recently that more and more women are looking for neck and brow lifts, we think it’s a good time to talk about safe, non-invasive treatments with minimal downtime that are equally, if not more, effective than surgical procedures. And so to Microneedling and Dermapens!
What is Microneedling?
As the name suggests microneedling, also called collagen induction therapy (CIT), and percutaneous collagen induction (PCI), involves a device that contains fine needles which puncture skin in order to create micro- injuries, stimulating the skin’s own healing mechanism to release growth factors and produce new collagen/elastin whilst leaving the epidermal barrier fully intact. Each puncture creates a micro channel which fulfills a dual role:
the micro channel facilitates absorption of vitamin infused serums into the deeper layers of the dermis and
each puncture triggers the body to fill these microscopic wounds by producing the new collagen and elastin.
Clinical studies have proven that serum absorption is increased by as much as 1,000 times when applied with a microneedling device. Micro-channels created during the procedure seal within hours after application: long enough for new collagen-structures to form within the lower layers of the skin and short enough to allow patients to get back to daily life quickly.
Apart from the benefit of being a minimally-invasive skin rejuvenation procedure, Microneedling also improves skin texture and firmness, as well as reducing scars, pore size and stretch marks, preventing and reversing the signs of aging in a totally natural way. Among the earliest proponents of microneedling was Michael Pistor, the French doctor who is credited with having developed mesotherapy in 1952.
At The Otto Clinic, we use DERMICA PEN which is the most professional high speed micro-needling system for medical use. It is highly advanced with the ability to open 80% more micro-channels than traditional rollers. This enables a greater stimulation of collagen and elastin production, and increases the penetration capacity of serums. When the Dermica Pen is used with topical serums, the skin’s absorption of vitamins, enzymes, lipids, and other ingredients is enhanced. The repair process begins almost immediately. Approximately 1 to 2 hours after application, these micro-channels fully close through the body’s natural healing process, and the patient can get back to their daily activities. The results? A FASTER, MORE VISIBLE REJUVENATING EFFECT ON YOUR SKIN.
Can I dermaroll at home?
This is a question that’s often asked by clients here at the clinic and the answer is yes however there are a few important health and safety issues to note:
One of the biggest differences between the two is the fact that the needles on a dermaroller do not penetrate the skin vertically but enter and exit at an angle, whereas the needles on the Dermica Pen enter and exit the skin vertically. The micro-channels that are created with automated micro-needling are vertical, which is the desired result.
If needles enter and exit the skin at an angle, they can actually make tears in the skin and create a larger micro-channel than desired, so be very cautious.
Hygiene is hugely important in dermarolling and it is absolutely essential that the correct hygiene protocols are followed if dermarolling at home – this is why many of our patients prefer to get this treatment done in clinic as it avoids the difficulties of trying to create a sterile environment at home.
When a professional is performing micro-needling treatments they also use topical gels like Hyaluronic Acid in combination to give the patient an improved result.
Finally automated micro-needling devices must be used by licensed aestheticians, registered nurses or doctors.
In addition to the conditions we mentioned above, microneedling is now becoming widely used as a treatment for photo-aged skin to improve the skin’s appearance and quality, and to improve or even prevent scarring. Increasingly, practitioners are also using this therapy in areas where laser treatments and deep peels are not typically performed.
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