Microneedling is a popular and inexpensive therapy that’s effective at treating a wide range of different skin issues. Not only is it safe and well-tested, but it’s also all-natural, as it can encourage your immune system to repair skin cells while revitalizing your appearance. We offer this treatment here at ALC Medspa in Gurnee, IL, and while it can take some time for the results to be seen, the effects can last a surprisingly long time.
How Long Do Microneedling Results Last?
The effects of this therapy typically last anywhere between one to three months, though in many cases, they tend to last much longer, depending on your age and the condition being treated. Many of our patients in their 30s, 40s, and 50s opt for this treatment to address the signs of aging, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin. These types of issues are normally caused by collagen loss, so regular treatments are needed to maintain the results.
Those who are younger or who are having other types of issues treated, such as acne scars or hyperpigmentation (discolored skin), typically enjoy longer-lasting results. This is because their skin can continue to produce high levels of collagen once it’s stimulated, and some issues don’t return after they’ve been effectively treated.
How Does This Therapy Work?
Microneedling, which is also called percutaneous collagen induction, is a therapy that can reduce imperfections in the skin while improving its texture. It’s used to treat everything from skin discolorations to scar tissue, and it works by boosting collagen levels in the skin. As we get older, our bodies slowly start to produce less collagen, and our skin inevitably suffers from this because collagen is a protein that helps to give the skin its firm, supple texture.
This therapy uses tiny needles to puncture the skin, which creates small superficial wounds that quickly recover. As the body responds to these wounds by healing them, this process often results in improvements to long-standing issues because it encourages the immune system to repair the treated area while also boosting collagen levels within the skin. This can lead to a revitalized appearance, and some conditions that might otherwise seem permanent can sometimes be corrected.
How Many Treatment Sessions Are Needed?
Although some patients may only need one treatment, others need multiple treatments before results are noticed. You can return for additional treatments once per month as needed. The type of condition you have and its severity are two major factors that can affect how often you’ll need treatments, as well as your age, your skin type, and your body’s natural immune response.
If the issues to be treated are a result of aging, then these will typically need regular treatments because the aging process is a continual one and collagen production continues to decrease as you get older. Although microneedling can increase collagen levels, you can’t completely reverse the gradual reduction of this protein that occurs with old age.
What Is Microneedling Treatment Like?
Before we begin your treatment, we’ll carry out a quick consultation, which allows us to assess your skin, ask about your medical history, and answer any questions you have. During the treatment session, we’ll get started by applying a numbing agent to the target areas that we’ll be treating. We’ll then treat these numbed areas by gently penetrating the upper layers of your skin with a microneedling device while ensuring that you’re comfortable the entire time.
This microneedling action is what results in a natural immune response that can lead to skin texture improvements later. The treatment process itself won’t normally take any longer than 20 minutes in most cases, though this depends on different factors, such as how many areas we’ll be treating.
What Should I Do After Treatment?
After your treatment session, you won’t have to worry about a significant recovery period or downtime like you would with surgery. The treated areas will likely be a bit red afterward, which is completely normal, and this will take about a week to fully heal.
You should therefore avoid any strenuous exercise and excessive heat for the first week because these things can affect the healing process. You should also refrain from rubbing your face or applying makeup for at least a few days. You can otherwise go about your daily routine as you normally would.
How Soon Will I Notice the Results?
Everybody responds to this treatment differently because we all have different genetics and immune responses, but most patients should see results within a few months after their first treatment. Some may require multiple treatments before the effects are seen because some issues, such as lines and wrinkles, can take a bit of time to respond.
Other issues, like scarring and discolored patches of skin, may respond more quickly. This treatment can sometimes break down scar tissue after just one session, so this, along with increased collagen levels that soften the skin, can all quickly play a role in improving scarring and skin texture.
Is There an Ideal Age to Start This Treatment?
Regardless of your age, microneedling can be beneficial at just about any point in life, though there are some advantages to getting started earlier with preventative treatments as opposed to occasional corrective treatments.
Corrective Treatments
Adults of all ages can start corrective treatments at any time, which is where treatment sessions are scheduled on an as-needed basis to correct issues whenever they arise. Many patients start out with corrective treatments to address an issue but then continue treatments regularly once they see the advantages of taking a preventative approach.
Preventative Treatments
If you regularly schedule your treatment sessions multiple times per year to prevent issues from developing, this is known as a preventative approach. This treatment can prevent many of the signs of aging by maintaining high collagen levels in the skin. Even if you are you have some skin issues already, it’s never too late to start preventative treatments since new issues can appear at any age.
What Are the Advantages of This Treatment?
Because microneedling encourages your body’s natural immune response, it’s a versatile treatment that has all of the following advantages over conventional treatments:
Minimally Invasive
The tiny needles we use for this treatment only puncture the upper layers of your skin, so it’s minimally invasive and doesn’t result in any large wounds or incisions like surgery does.
Fast Recovery
With no downtime, this treatment has the advantage of having a short healing period of less than a week, though you’ll still be able to carry out most everyday activities during this time as you normally would.
Quick Treatment
While treatment times can vary, the average session normally takes less than 20 minutes, so many patients find this to be more convenient than surgical approaches or other types of treatments that can take typically take much longer.
Long-Lasting Results
The effects of this treatment are often long-lasting, and many issues can be fully corrected or minimized without a reoccurrence, such as scarring. Also, once the immune system is stimulated, this effect can last for months or even years for many patients.
Natural Effects
This therapy doesn’t require the use of creams, pills, or incisions as it’s all-natural. It simply encourages your immune system to replace dead skin cells with new ones and stimulates collagen production, all of which relies on your body’s natural repair mechanisms.
No Discolorations
Hyperpigmentation is a discoloring of the skin that sometimes occurs with certain cosmetic treatments, especially those that involve lasers. This therapy is not known for causing this side effect, and interestingly, it’s commonly used to treat this type of condition.
More Affordable
This therapy is quick and performed on an outpatient basis, which makes it a much more affordable option than surgical procedures or other treatments that require overnight stays in a hospital and medical care that’s more costly.
Schedule With Us Today
Microneedling is one of the most natural and effective ways to maintain the integrity of your skin while correcting both acute and chronic conditions, including acne scars, stretch marks, discolored skin, fine lines, and wrinkles. To see if this treatment is right for you, contact us today at ALC Medspa in Gurnee, IL. Regardless of your condition, we’ll be able to assess it during your initial consultation, and we’re here to help you meet all your skincare goals.
