What We Know About Medical Micro-Needling
What are some advantages of micro-needling? Microneedling is cost-effective, and can be done in areas where chemical peels or laser resurfacing cannot – like around the eyes or mouth. It’s well tolerated by patients and has minimal downtime. Better yet, it is easily individualized. So areas with skin damage that require a more aggressive approach can be treated with a longer needle.
Micro-needling – sometimes you'll hear it called collagen induction therapy – is a simple, fast and safe treatment for wrinkles and scars. Because the top layer of skin, the epidermis, stays intact, the procedure can be repeated safely. It’s widely used to improve fine lines, wrinkles, skin texture, and acne scars.
When a micro-needling device is used with topical serums, the skin’s absorption of vitamins, enzymes, lipids, and other ingredients is enhanced. The repair process begins almost immediately.
Micro-needling also helps smooth small, thin wrinkles, like those around the eyes, and “does a very nice job” on upper-lip wrinkles, says Tina A. Alster, an Associate Professor of Dermatology at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.
Medical needling is being used for acne scars, fine lines, skin tightening, and to shrink pores. The face, neck, and chest are the most treated areas, although the pens can be used all over the body.
