Micro-Needling: All there is to know

Micro-needling is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure that is used to treat several skin concerns. Micro-needling, also referred to as CIT (collagen induction therapy), provides many benefits. It is even used in certain anti-aging procedures and sun spot removal in Toronto. 

You may be considered an ideal candidate for this treatment if you are in good health and have specific skin concerns that have not responded to at-home treatments or other dermatologic procedures, eg: chemical peels. Micro-needling might also be an option worth considering before committing to more invasive cosmetic procedures, which can work to damage the skin permanently. 

Efficacy

• It delivers ideal results after several sessions.
• It is considered effective in treating aging skin as well as reducing minor scarring associated with wounds or acne. 
• You will notice firmer, healthier looking skin.

Safety

• It is safer and provides greater results than attempting to use at-home dermal rollers.
• The procedure is NOT safe for those who use certain acne medications or for women who are pregnant. (Please ask an esthetician for more information) 
• It is minimally invasive, requiring little to no downtime.

How it works 

The process of micro-needling works by encouraging the skin to make more collagen by puncturing the surface of the skin with tiny needles. These punctures cause minor injury to the skin, stimulating the production of collagen and elastin. In turn, this results in new collagen-rich tissue.

This new skin tissue is in turn, more even in texture and tone. It is normal for the skin to lose collagen via injury or age. By encouraging the skin to make new tissue, it becomes stronger and more firm.

Procedure for Micro-Needling

During the micro-needling procedure, the practitioner uses a pen-like tool containing multiple sterile needles to puncture the surface of the skin. You may experience pinpoint bleeding at the site, however, the punctures are so little that you will not notice them after the procedure. The practitioner typically uses a topical product such as hyaluronic acid or PRP to glide the tool evenly across the skin.

Before getting started, a topical anaesthetic will be applied to the treatment area to lessen the possibility of pain. This is done about half an hour before the treatment begins. The actual process for micro-needling takes roughly half an hour. In total, you can expect to be at the office for around one hour. Micro-needling is a relatively painless procedure. You may experience minor redness and irritation immediately after and for a few days following the procedure.

Targeted Areas for Micro-Needling

Micro-needling is most often used on the face to target:

• Large pores
• Wrinkles and fine lines
• Acne scars
• Age spots (also known as sun spots) 
• Uneven skin tone
• Reduced skin elasticity
• Other sorts of scars

In addition to facial concerns, micro-needling is sometimes used to treat stretch marks or scarring on or around other areas of the body. However, micro-needling is most often performed on the face.

Getting Prepared for Micro-Needling

Talk to your practitioner before the treatment about ways to prepare so you can get the best possible results. You may need to stop taking certain medications, such as ibuprofen or those used to treat acne well in advance of the procedure. At times, it may even be recommended that you stop using topical retinoids prior to treatment.  Doing so may lessen the possibility of certain side effects of micro-needling.

If you are interested in more dramatic, long-term results, micro-needling is a great option. So what are you waiting for? Come visit us for a free skin consultation in Toronto at Skin Studio! Book your appointment at skinstudiotoronto@gmail.com or call us at 416-804-7256 to find out more!