Right on point: Explore Skin Needling

You may recognise Skin Needling as Microneedling, Collagen Induction Therapy or you may have also heard of it under brand names such as Dermapen or Rejuvapen.

All methods use small sterile needles, either attached to a handheld stamping device, on a roller or attached to an electronic appliance, to make ‘micro-injuries’ to the skin.

This may sound a little alarming, but it is minimally invasive and these small wounds kick the skin’s natural healing process into action.

This in turn, stimulates collagen and elastin production in the dermis, making it ideal for anyone with skin laxity, scarring and other skin imperfections such as large pores and pigmentation or if you just want a plumper complexion.

Over the past years there has been a huge rise in the popularity of Skin Needling, but as with all treatments one of the questions we are asked frequently is, ‘is skin needling safe?’ …..

Is Skin Needling Safe?

Skin Needling is a safe treatment, but there are certain people for whom this treatment would  not be suitable for. So let’s take a look at who is, and who isn’t, suited to skin needling.

Firstly, it’s not recommended for anyone with active skin conditions such as acne and acute chronic skin conditions – you should wait until your skin is settled before starting skin needling treatment.

Pregnant women and those breastfeeding should also avoid skin needling, as should people with a history of  keloid scarring – scar tissue which doesn’t heal flat, but creates a raised skin texture.

If you are unsure if you have keloid scars or what they look like, take a look at the following link on the NHS website. Alternatively, ask your GP at your next appointment. Look at keloid scars here

People on anti-coagulants, and those currently undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy would also be contraindicated to skin needling treatment.

Diabetics and anyone on steroids are also generally contra-indicated, but if in doubt ask your GP.
Anyone with allergies to ingredients in the anaesthetic cream with is used would also not be suitable for treatment.

If you have none of the above contra-indications, and you heal well, it is most likely that you would be suitable for skin needling. Even if you have ‘sensitive’ skin you can be suitable for treatment.

We always carry out a consultation to ensure that you are suited to this type of service.

A- lister facials

The rise in Skin Needling is due, in part, to the amount of celebrities who regularly have it done.

Celebrities such as Bradd Pitt, Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Anniston and Demi Moore have all been reported to have skin needling. The stars seem to adore this treatment!

At a film festival Angelina Jolie created so much attention with her youthful appearance and radiant skin, that her preference for skin needling was covered by an article in the Los Angeles Times.

At Sensoria we find that it is also very popular with our ‘local celebrities’.

They like the fact that the process is ‘natural’, relying on the skins own regeneration abilities rather than having something injected into the skin, such as fillers. Using your own collagen to gradually ‘fill’ your skin means a treatment doesn’t get more natural than that!

How soon will I see results from skin needling?

Although there is an initial feeling of ‘tightness’ and ‘plumping’ in the skin immediately following treatment, this is mainly due to the slight swelling that takes place.

Your skin will begin to start building collagen from the process around 2 – 3 days after your first treatment.

However, you may not see any result for at least one to four weeks after treatment, and full results can take as long as eight weeks to appear.

I always liken this treatment to ‘slowly stuffing a cushion from the inside out’, fibre by fibre!

The older you are, the longer it will take for collagen to be produced, so it is important to have patience.

The result may be subtle at first, but after a course of treatment you should be able to see a good difference.

The collagen that is produced will stay for around two years, so this treatment has an incredible life span making it a good value for money treatment.

Which conditions does Skin Needling improve?

There are a host of skin conditions that Skin Needling can improve:

• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Skin laxity
• Rough skin texture
• Crow’s feet
• Laughter lines
• Surgical scars
• Acne scars
• Chicken pox scars
• Large or ‘open’ pores
• Sun damage skin
• Ageing skin
• Stretch marks

Book your Skin Needling Treatment here

Is Skin Needling just for the face?

Skin needling can be used on most areas of the body, not just on the face.

The areas of the body that we treat most often are:

• Stretch marks – on the abdomen and upper thighs from pregnancy or weight gain.
• Upper arms – to improve skin texture and appearance.

You can see Angela carrying out an upper arm treatment in our short video by clicking the following link See skin needling on arms

Other benefits of micro-needling

The tiny channels that the process opens up in the skin does allow for better penetration of the serums that are used in conjunction with skin needling.

This ‘window of opportunity’ for increased product penetration due to an increase in skin permeability, is short and only special serums that are designed to be used with this treatment must be used.   

Whilst this increased skin permeability is a benefit, the main benefit is definitely in the long term increase in collagen and elastic production.

Book your skin needling near Tarporley here.

Combine skin needling with facial peels
We have found clients gain enhanced benefits from alternating skin needling with facial peels.

Skin needling treatments usually take place every six to eight weeks, so scheduling a skin peel in between treatments can significantly step up the benefits.
The peels we use are Dermalogica Pro Power Peels, which are ‘progressive’ rather than ‘aggressive” peels.

We always joke that the peels we carry out at Sensoria are not the type where you “take your face home in a carrier bag!” In some instances, you  may not even experience actual ‘peeling’.

Whether you peel or not, has no indication on how beneficial the treatment has been, just your own skins individual response to the products used.

Lactic acid for skin brightening and glycolic acid for collagen production combine very well with skin needling treatments.

All our Therapists at Sensoria are Dermalogica Skin Experts having undergone thorough training for carrying out skin peels.

What is the process for micro-needling?

Your initial step is to have a consultation with us so that we can assess if you are suitable for treatment and fully explain the process.
This time is also an opportunity for us to answer any questions you may have about skin needling.
Before treatment takes place your skin is thoroughly cleansed and a coating of anaesthetic cream must be applied.

Once the skin is numb the anaesthetic cream is removed and a mild skin antiseptic is applied for hygiene.

Everything we use for the treatment is disposable and the utmost attention is given to hygiene to avoid cross infection.

We use the Rejuvapen because it is a system that has a built in hepa filter in the disposable needle cartridge to avoid any cross infection between clients.

Systems without hepa filters give an opportunity for blood and tissue fluid to pass back up into the skin needling device and drop back down again through the next disposable cartridge into the next client creating a risk of infection.

After the skin needling has taken place a serum is used to take advantage of the micro channels in the skin allowing for better product penetration.

A soothing product is then applied and a special sunscreen.

What are the ‘after effects’ of skin needling?
There is very little ‘down time’ with skin needling as it is minimally invasive.

Immediately after skin needling your skin will look pink for around 24-48 hours, but quite often a lot less.
There may be some ‘micro crusting’ on the surface of the skin. This is not visible to the naked eye, but the skin may feel a little rough to the touch. This doesn’t happen with everyone but if it does it is important that you don’t pick at your skin or exfoliate until the skin feels smooth again.

The skin needs to be kept calm and clean following treatment and it is important to adhere to the aftercare advice that we give you.

If your skin feels a little ‘tight’ a generous application of Dermalogica Barrier Repair will make if feel comfortable. However, most people love the initial feeling of tightness, especially if they have had the treatment for addressing skin laxity.

How long does the treatment take?

The majority of the treatment time is taken up with waiting for the anaesthetic cream to take effect as the process itself is fairly short.
Many of our clients combine skin needling with other treatments such as manicures, pedicure or head massage to maximise the time they have taken out of their day. Some just bring their iPad or a book to read whilst they are waiting.

The actual process is fairly short, but we always allow an hour and half for treatment to ensure that you receive the best treatment possible and don’t feel rushed.

Health, beauty & wellbeing in Cheshire

At Sensoria we like to think of your skin and facial treatments as part of your overall health, beauty and wellbeing plan.

We are keen to make you feel beautiful on the inside as well as the outside. For more advice on how we can help with your self-care and wellbeing so that you shine on the inside as well as the outside, get in touch today.

Originally published October 1, 2021