What is Microneedling, or Collagen Induction Therapy
Microneedling is a fast, non-invasive, cost efficient and simple procedure aimed at promoting healthier, younger-looking skin.
The idea is to use your body’s own natural healing capacity to induce a response that will promote tissue rejuvenation and collagen production, achieving healthier, smoother skin. For this reason, microneedling is also known as collagen induction therapy.
Despite the somewhat scary name (‘I hate needles!!’), microneedling is a fairly painless procedure that can be performed anywhere on the body with minimal risks or downtime. So, if you want to have a ‘natural’ treatment that will make your skin glow and make you look younger, then this could be the right treatment for you.
How does Microneedling work?
Microneedling works by mimicking an injury to the treated area. A small pen device is connected with a cartridge that contains multiple very small needles. This device has a special characteristic of oscillating up and down very fast, causing the needles to penetrate and exit the skin multiple times per second.
This will cause a micro-trauma on the skin, which will in turn make your body believe it needs to bring healing agents to the area. It will the promote new blood vessels to be formed, stimulate production of collagen and elastin, stimulate liberation of growth factors and other substances that will make your skin look more youthful and healthy!
What can the procedure treat?
Microneedling is a very versatile treatment that can be used for numerous concerns:
- Skin rejuvenation
- Reduction of fine lines and wrinkles
- Acne
- Acne scarring
- Scarring in general including keloids
- Rosacea
- Hyperpigmentation
- Vitiligo
- Stretch marks
- Cellulite
The benefits of Microneedling
Collagen induction therapy can be an effective and non-invasive way to improve the appearance of the skin, addressing a wide range of skin concerns.The benefits of the treatment can include:
- Improved skin texture: Microneedling can improve the texture of the skin by stimulating collagen and elastin production. This can lead to smoother, firmer, and more youthful-looking skin.
- Reduced fine lines and wrinkles: The increased collagen production can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, especially around the eyes and mouth.
- Reduced scarring: The treatment can be used to improve the appearance of scars, including acne scars, surgical scars, and stretch marks.
- Reduced hyperpigmentation: Treatment can help to reduce hyperpigmentation or dark spots on the skin, leading to a more even skin tone.
- Reduced pore size: Microneedling can help to reduce the size of pores on the skin, achieving a smoother and more refined complexion.
- Improved product absorption: Collagen induction therapy can increase the absorption of topical skincare products, allowing them to penetrate deeper into the skin and be more effective.
- Reduced inflammation: Microneedling can help to reduce inflammation in the skin, making it an effective treatment for conditions like rosacea and acne.
The procedure: What to expect
Following initial discussions with your practitioner, a personalised treatment plan will outline the specific details of your treatment.
At the beginning of your appointment, your practitioner will clean your face with an antiseptic solution to reduce risks of infection. Subsequently, a topical anaesthetic cream is applied to minimise pain, left for a few minutes to take full effect. The topical anaesthetic is then removed and a concentrate of hyaluronic acid (or another mix that will suit your skin) is applied.
Microneedling is then performed on the desired areas. Although the treatment seems simple, it requires a level of knowledge and experience that only qualified practitioners will have. At Essence, we have a skilled team that knows how to perform these treatments effectively.
Microneedling is a mildly painful procedure. We aim to minimise the potential for any pain and discomfort, with the topical numbing agent and by performing the procedure rapidly. Generally, there is minimal to no pain after the treatment.
A cool compress or hydrating mask may be applied after. After a few minutes, you are good to go! Following the procedure, you can expect to have marked redness for around 30 minutes or so. This then starts subsiding gradually and may take up to 48 hours to completely resolve. Apart from this, and following some important aftercare instructions, you are able to continue on with your day as normal.
It usually takes a few sessions to achieve optimal results. We usually recommend a minimum of three sessions but more sessions can be necessary or desired. The number of sessions that will be ideal to achieve the results you want will be part of your personalised treatment plan, which will be put together during your consultation.
Results and recovery
Results of microneedling are not immediate! It takes a while for your body to do what it needs to do and to produce the response we desire. For this reason, it may be two to four months until you see results and it usually take multiple treatments. After treatment, some peeling may occur and take a few days to stop, and you may have some redness for about half an hour to two days after the procedure.
In terms of recovery instructions, we will give you the best directions to follow according to your personalised treatment. In the meantime, you can familiarise yourself with these common aftercare instructions for collagen induction therapy:
- Avoid direct sunlight: After collagen induction therapy, your skin will be more sensitive to sunlight, so it’s essential to avoid direct sunlight for at least a week after the treatment. If you must go outside, wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
- Keep the skin clean: It’s essential to keep the treated area clean to avoid infection. Use a gentle cleanser and lukewarm water to clean the skin twice a day.
- Moisturise: After microneedling, your skin may feel dry and tight. Use a gentle moisturiser to keep the skin hydrated and nourished.
- Avoid makeup: Avoid wearing makeup for at least 24 hours after the treatment to allow the skin to breathe and heal.
- Avoid harsh skincare products: Avoid using harsh skincare products, such as retinol or alpha-hydroxy acids, for at least a week after collagen induction therapy, as they can be too harsh for the newly treated skin.
- Avoid touching the skin: Avoid touching the treated area, as this can introduce bacteria and cause infection.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water after microneedling to keep the skin hydrated and promote healing.
- Be patient: Results from collagen induction therapy can take several weeks to show, so be patient and follow your aftercare routine to achieve the best results.
Costs of Microneedling in Melbourne
At Essence Cosmetic Medicine, we tailor our treatments to best suit each client. Therefore, the costs of the treatment are generally measured by the personalised details of the treatment. The cost of a personalised microneedling treatment can vary depending on several factors, including:
- Treatment area: The cost of collagen induction therapy will depend on the size of the treatment area. Larger areas like the face, neck, and chest will typically cost more than smaller areas like the hands or feet.
- Treatment frequency: The cost of microneedling treatments may also depend on how often you need them. Most people require multiple sessions to achieve optimal results, and the cost can vary depending on how many sessions you need.
- Level of customisation: The level of customisation in a personalised collagen induction therapy treatment can also influence the cost. For example, if you require a more extensive treatment plan with a variety of serums or medications, this may cost more than a basic microneedling treatment.
Your consultation before the produce will provide you with a personalised quote, so you can have an accurate costs outline according to your specific treatment.
Possible complications of Microneedling
One of the reasons microneedling has rapidly become such a popular procedure is due to its low risk profile. However, all treatments can be associated with some possible side effects. Choosing a clinic with a qualified team for your collagen induction treatment is the most important step to take when preventing potential risks and complications. Another step is to closely follow the aftercare instructions as provided, as they will be tailored to your individual needs and the details of your personalised treatment.
Some potential side effects of the treatment can include:
- Redness and irritation: Some redness, swelling, and mild irritation can be common after microneedling. These minor side effects are normal and usually resolve within a few days. However, in rare cases, these side effects may be more severe and prolonged.
- Bruising and bleeding: Microneedling as a form of collagen induction therapy involves creating small punctures in the skin, which can lead to minor bruising or bleeding in some cases.
- Infection: If proper sterilisation procedures are not followed, if the skin is not properly cleaned before treatment, or aftercare instructions are not followed, there is a risk of infection. Infections are very rare but may occur. For this reason, we only employ experienced and qualified staff, and we recommend you to take good care of your skin following the procedure. This includes to avoid swimming, avoid going to saunas, apply other products and keep your skin clean.
- Allergic reaction: There is minimal risks of allergic reactions. However, in some cases, a person may have an allergic reaction to the products used during the treatment, such as the topical numbing cream.
Hyperpigmentation: In rare cases, the treatment can cause darkening of the skin (hyperpigmentation) in the treated area. - Scarring: If the procedure is performed too aggressively, or if the skin is not properly taken care of after the treatment, it may cause scarring or other forms of skin damage.
- Cold sore outbreak: Microneedling around the mouth area can trigger cold sore outbreaks in people who are prone to them. If you are prone to cold sores or have had a cold sore before, please let us know during your consultation.
Why choose Essence Cosmetic Medicine
When you decide that you would like to undergo a certain treatment, you should also decide to choose a clinic with qualified and experienced staff, who will be able to perform effective treatments while minimising potential side effects.
At Essence, we take pride in putting our clients first, prioritising clear communication, transparency with the details, benefits and risks of treatments and offering the highest level customisation possible to achieve the best results.
We believe every client deserves high quality treatment, in a comfortable, open and reliable environment.