How Does Microneedling Work? 

Medical microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, is a dermatological procedure that involves serial punctures of the skin or scalp with tiny sterile needles. Microchannels are created, which produce a controlled skin injury without causing any significant damage to the epidermis. These microinjuries lead to minimal superficial bleeding and set up a wound healing cascade that releases numerous growth factors such as platelet derived growth factor, transforming growth factor alpha and beta, connective tissue activating protein, connective tissue growth factor, and fibroblast growth factor (Litchman G, Nair PA, Badri T, et al, 2022). This procedure stimulates the body to use its own natural defense to produce hyaluronic acid, elastin, and collagen thus treating various skin concerns or promoting hair restoration.

Specifically, hyaluronic acid (HA) is a type of sugar (polysaccharide) that is present between skin cells in the body and helps retain water. HA is the jelly-like substance that acts as a cushioning device, filling up the space between the collagen and elastin fibers in the reticular layer. Increased HA provides hydration, promotes healing, reduces scarring, and increases the flexability and stretch of the skin, improving wrinkles and fine lines.

Benefits of Medical Microneedling

Microneedling can help improve the appearance and the texture of your skin. It can minimize the appearance of lines and wrinkles, stretch marks, scars, and sun damage, thus resulting in youthful, firmer skin. Microneedling is unlike some facial rejuvenation procedures that uses heat, light or lasers, which work from the top down. Instead, microneedling encouraging the body’s own defense system from the bottom up by producing HA, elastin, and collagen.

When compared with other facial rejuvenation procedures, such as laser treatment, microneedling is generally less expensive, less likely to cause skin discoloration, and generally has a quicker recovery time.

What to Expect & Recovery

Your Injector will thoroughly clean your skin or scalp with hydrating cleanser and isopropyl alcohol or witch hazel. Lidocaine is then applied to the area for 30-45 minutes and thoroughly washed off. Skin products are applied prior to the procedure, and are reapplied during the procedure, all while applying light pressure with an MDPen. The MDPen will be applied to the skin with various needling techniques with continuous application of medical grade skin products containing hyaluronic acid. After the procedure is completed, the injector will apply a gel mask using MDPen Human Growth Factor.

The procedure generally takes 1 hour to complete. Recovery generally occurs within 24-48 hours. Some mild bleeding, swelling, and bruising is expected. During the recovery period it may feel like your skin is dry, tight, or sunburnt. Application of MDPen Copper + HA Mist formula to the area provides relief and promotes a skin glow.

Contraindications

Although medical microneedling is safe for most skin types, there are important things to consider prior to having a procedure. It is recommended to wait at least 2 weeks after having Botox or other botulinum toxin type A injections to avoid unwanted toxin diffusion. Use cautiously if you have a history of keloid or raised scarring, diabetes, eczema, or psoriasis. Avoid with active skin cancer or actinic (solar) keratosis, raised moles, warts, or active herpes infection. It is completely contraindicated if pregnant or nursing, scleroderma, collagen vascular disease or cardiac abnormalities, any active bacterial or fungal infection, blood clotting problems or while taking blood thinners, immunosuppressed conditions or medications, scars less than 6 months old, and pustular or nodular rosacea or acne.

Litchman G, Nair PA, Badri T, et al. Microneedling. [Updated 2022 Sep 26]. In: StatPearls

 [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from 

The first procedure comes with a 1 oz bottle of MdPen pure hyaluronic acid serum and Copper + HA Mist formula. A minimum of 3 treatments 4-6 weeks a part is strongly recommend for the best results.