With all the anti-aging "miracle" solutions continuously advertised, it's hard to know which ones are effective. That's why we believe in providing our clients with proven beauty treatments, like microneedling, that help reverse signs of aging by using the body's own mechanisms to repair and rejuvenate your skin.
What Causes Skin Aging?
Our skin naturally evolves as we get older; however, your environment, lifestyle choices, and skin issues can speed up the aging process. The skin is the most exposed and largest organ in the human body, and it's also the first place you can see evidence of aging. Your skin relies on protection, hydration, oxygen, collagen, and elastin to maintain its youthful appearance.
Natural Aging Process
Aging is a natural process that no one can escape. Factors such as gravity, skin conditions, and menopause change the skin. Furthermore, as you age, your body produces less collagen and elastin, which causes the skin to:
- Appear rougher in texture
- Hang more loosely
- Become more vulnerable to damage
- Bruise more easily
- Show sun damage more rapidly
Environmental Factors
The biggest culprit in damage done to our skin is the sun. It is responsible for 90% of the damage to your skin. Heat, cold, and pollutants all also affect the aging process. If you spend much time on the beach or if you work outside, you can see the effects of the sun's harmful UV rays on your skin. Excessive tanning can lead to tough-feeling, wrinkled, discolored skin. The cold weather has the same effect on your skin.
Smoking
It is no surprise that lifestyle choices impact the way you look and feel. Smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, and poor eating habits can also lead to premature skin aging. Smoking speeds up the aging process in several ways. The repeated drawing motion when inhaling the cigarette causes lines around the mouth. Smokers tend to have deeper wrinkles on the forehead as well. This habit also leads to cellular damage. It deprives the skin's cells of the oxygen they need and damages the body's collagen and elastin, causing you to age faster than normal.
Drinking Alcohol
Alcohol dehydrates the body. Every time you drink, you're not only robbing your body of the hydration it needs, but you are also depriving your skin of vitamins and nutrients. Long-term drinking also leaves you prone to skin disorders such as rosacea.
Unhealthy Diet
Your diet can also accelerate the aging process. Most people enjoy sweet, salty, and fried foods, all of which can speed up skin aging. When you fry your food at a high temperature, it releases free radicals that can lead to cellular damage. Love salt? When you consume too much salt, it leads to dehydration, which makes your skin prone to wrinkling. Excess sugar and carbs have also been linked to skin aging and damage.
What Is Microneedling?
Microneedling is a process done with a device known as a dermaroller. This device, packed with tiny needles, penetrates the skin, causing microscopic punctures to the skin's surface. These superficial wounds cause the body to react, which leads to both short-term and long-term results.
How Does the Treatment Work?
The inflammation from the process radiates and plumps the skin for a couple of weeks after the treatment. This superficial trauma stimulates collagen and elastin productions resulting in a more even complexion, smoother texture, and tighter skin over time.
Uses
Microneeding can be used to treat a plethora of skin issues, including:
- Wrinkles
- Fine lines
- Loose skin
- Acne scars
- Dark spots
- Stretch marks
- Alopecia
- Large pores
What to Expect During Treatment
Before your treatment, your provider will apply a numbing cream to the skin's surface. It is normal for your skin to become red and tight during the process. The overall treatment takes about a half hour and requires minimal downtime.
How Long Does It Take the Treatment to Work?
You start seeing the effects of the process almost immediately. As soon as the micro-punctures are made in the skin, the body's healing process begins. While microneedling immediately activates cellular turnover, it takes up to six weeks to see the full results.
How Many Treatments Are Needed?
You and your aesthetic professional will determine how many treatments are needed since it depends on your skin condition and the desired results. It is safe to repeat the treatment every four to six weeks until you reach your desired results. Consider getting one or two yearly refreshers to counteract aging.
Who Is a Candidate for the Treatment?
Any healthy adult regardless of skin type is a candidate for microneedling. This treatment works on all skin colors. It does not matter whether you have thin or thick skin—your provider will adjust the needles accordingly.
What Is the Downtime Like?
Microneedling is a minimally invasive treatment requiring virtually no downtime. The inflammation from the process greatly reduces within a few hours. Refrain from vigorous exercise or sports for the first day. Use therapeutic facial products with hyaluronic acid and antioxidants to reduce inflammation. Make sure you apply sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun. Refrain from using makeup for the first three days, but if needed, you can apply mineral makeup.