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You’ve heard about it enough times by now to know that sustaining collagen in your skin is a veritable cosmetic fountain of youth. But how can you get more of it when your body ages and stops making it on its own?
Enter collagen induction therapy — aka microneedling.
Microneedling is a popular cosmetic procedure that helps your skin help itself. Dr. Tiffany Su and Dr. Hui “He” Kang, and our team of experts at Skin Shop MedSpa are proud to offer microneedling and recommend it for a wide range of skin concerns.
Here’s everything you should know about how it works and how it can benefit you.
As the name implies, microneedling involves using fine needles to create microscopic injuries in your skin. That might sound brutal, but those tiny injuries are what your body needs to jump-start its collagen production and create new, healthier skin cells.
When your body produces more collagen, your scars and dark spots become less noticeable, and your skin becomes more elastic and resilient.
At Skin Shop MedSpa, we don’t just offer microneedling; we offer radiofrequency (RF) microneedling. Combining microneedling treatments with radiofrequency energy triggers even more collagen production and cellular turnover.
Microneedling is one of the most versatile cosmetic procedures available. With virtually zero discomfort or downtime, it can:
Microneedling can also be less expensive and may even work better than laser treatments.
Even the safest procedures, like microneedling, carry some risk. One of the most common side effects of microneedling treatments is skin irritation and redness that lasts for a few days.
We conduct a thorough evaluation before recommending microneedling to ensure you’re a good candidate and that your skin is healthy enough to make a full and speedy recovery after treatment.
You might not be eligible for microneedling if you have an active skin condition, acne, or an open wound. Those who are receiving or have recently undergone radiation therapy or are pregnant may have to delay microneedling treatments.
Once our experts have cleared you for microneedling treatments, we may ask you to stop taking certain medications that affect your blood and avoid using products that irritate your skin or make it more sensitive.
Expect to carve out an hour or two for your appointment. We prepare your skin for treatment about 45 minutes to an hour before we ever reach for a needle. During that time, we clean your skin and apply a topical anesthetic to the treatment area to keep you comfortable. The procedure itself can last 20-40 minutes, depending on the size of the treatment area.
You can resume your normal activities right after treatment and manage any side effects, such as swelling or bruising, with conservative measures.
Keep in mind that microneedling doesn’t produce instant results. You’ll see improvement in your skin within 4-6 weeks. Most of our patients need at least 3-6 sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart to get the best results.
Your skin has everything it needs to look and feel flawless — sometimes, it just needs a little help. If you’re interested in what microneedling plus RF energy can do for you, call or schedule an appointment online at our Houston office today.