Microneedling, otherwise known as collagen induction therapy, is an FDA-approved skincare treatment. At Mia Bella Donna Medspa in Overland Park, KS, we proudly offer this treatment to help our clients increase collagen production, improving the health and appearance of their skin. In this comprehensive guide, we cover everything you need to know about this rejuvenating treatment, including how quickly the results become apparent.
How Long Does It Take to See Results From Microneedling?
Although this treatment starts working immediately, it takes approximately four to six weeks for the final results to be revealed. This is because it takes this long for your skin to produce extra collagen in response to this treatment. However, there are certain steps you can take to see your final results a little faster. We will explore this in further depth in a minute.
In the meantime, we’d like to delineate the three stages that occur throughout the treatment process. All three stages that occur are crucial for improving the appearance and health of your skin. The first stage takes place during your collagen induction therapy session. The second stage builds upon the results of the first stage and occurs after the session is over. Finally, the third stage builds upon the results of the second stage.
The Inflammatory Stage
The first stage that occurs during the microneedling process is the inflammatory stage. As stated above, this stage occurs during the collagen induction therapy session itself. The inflammatory stage is triggered when your immune system responds to over a dozen tiny needles penetrating the fibroblasts within your skin. This immune system response happens due to your platelets releasing growth factors, like human growth factors, and cytokines.
As the needles penetrate your dermis or epidermis, your immune system increases circulation in the treatment areas. Then, the dead skin cells that make up the superficial layer of your skin are replaced with the healthy skin cells that comprise your dermis.
The Proliferation Phase
The second stage that occurs during the collagen induction therapy process is the proliferation stage. During this stage of your skin’s natural healing process, your skin starts producing elastin and collagen at a much greater rate than normal. Notably, one study found that six months after four microneedling sessions spaced one month apart, collagen and elastin production was increased by up to 400%.
This stage starts once your treatment session is over and ends when the third phase begins, roughly four to six weeks after your treatment session. During this time, damaged skin cells are being repaired, resulting in skin that looks increasingly healthier week after week.
The Remodeling Phase
The third and final stage that occurs during the collagen induction therapy process is the remodeling phase. This stage occurs when damaged skin is repaired on a cellular level and healthy skin cells have replaced dead skin cells.
It lasts for approximately six months depending on the nature and severity of your concerns. During this stage, your skin tone and texture are improved. Also, your skin is stronger, firmer, and tighter.
How You Can See Your Final Results Faster
To see your final results faster, you need to take steps to keep your collagen production system operating efficiently. For example, you should stop smoking, refrain from using tanning beds, and wear sunscreen when you go outside. Nicotine and UV ray exposure decrease the efficiency with which your skin produces collagen.
You also need to make sure your skin has all of the nutrients it needs to produce collagen. For example, you must eat foods that are high in amino acids (bioavailable protein) and vitamin C. Foods that include both protein and vitamin C include kale, broccoli, and spinach. You can also benefit from drinking aloe vera juice. Aloe vera juice is high in polyphenols, a powerful antioxidant that minimizes the oxidizing damage of the sun.
How Many Treatment Sessions Will I Need?
Depending on the nature and severity of your cosmetic concerns, you may be able to achieve your ideal results after just one treatment session. However, most people require three to five treatment sessions spaced four to six weeks apart. Therefore, it would take you six months to see your final collagen induction therapy if you need five sessions spaced one month apart and it takes your skin four weeks to produce the extra collagen.
What Happens During This Treatment?
When you come in for your treatment session, we will begin by cleaning your treatment areas with an alcohol-based cleanser. Then, we will apply a topical numbing cream to the treatment areas to ensure that you feel no pain or discomfort during your session. However, the gauge of the needles used is so fine that treatment isn’t painful even without the numbing cream.
Once your skin is prepared for treatment, the FDA-approved SkinPen device will be passed over the treatment areas at a 45-degree angle. The severity of your cosmetic concerns will influence how many times the device is passed gently over the treatment areas. The more severe your concern is, the more times the device will be passed over the area of concern.
How Long Will My Treatment Session Take?
Typically, a collagen induction therapy session will take roughly half of an hour to complete. However, your session may take a little longer or be completed a little sooner depending on:
- The severity of your concerns
- The number of concerns you have
- The size of the areas targeted for treatment
What Benefits Can I Expect From This Treatment?
There are many benefits of this non-invasive skincare treatment. For instance, this extremely versatile treatment can be used to erase many types of scars, including surgical scars, trauma scars, stretch marks, and acne scars. It can also be used to tighten loose, sagging skin, erase wrinkles and lines, and treat hyperpigmentation and other skin tone issues.
Another incredible benefit of this non-invasive skincare treatment is it can reduce the frequency of acne outbreaks. This is due, in part, to its ability to unclog and shrink your pores simultaneously. Moreover, following this treatment, your sebaceous glands will no longer produce excess sebum. Sebum is a crucial hydrating oil. However, when it is produced in excess, it results in whitehead and blackhead outbreaks.
Am I a Good Candidate for This Treatment?
This very versatile treatment is an incredible investment in your skin health. It provides many benefits, including acne scar elimination, loose skin tightening, and pore shrinking. However, it is not right for everyone. To determine whether you are a good candidate for this treatment, you need to come in for an initial consultation to discuss your health history, current health, and aesthetic goals.
Most adults who are concerned about the health and appearance of their skin qualify for this treatment. However, it is not appropriate for people with certain medical conditions. Among the medical conditions that may preclude you from this treatment are:
- A history of keloid scars
- Uncontrolled type 2 diabetes
- Heart conditions
- Skin irritation in the treatment areas
- Kidney disease
How Should I Prepare for My Treatment Session?
To prepare for your microneedling session, you must wear sunscreen in the weeks two leading up to your treatment. It is essential to prevent skin irritation at the time of your appointment because if your skin is irritated, your treatment will need to be rescheduled.
You should also mitigate the risk of skin irritation on the day of your appointment by not removing unwanted hairs in the treatment areas with depilatory creams, electrolysis, or waxing for five to seven days before your treatment session. If you have any unwanted hairs in your treatment areas, you may shave the day before your session with a clean, sharp razor and fragrance-free shaving cream.
Other Preparation Steps
Another important preparation step you must take before your microneedling session is avoiding Accutane in the six months preceding your treatment. Five to seven days before your session, you should not use any topical products that increase skin sensitivity, including exfoliants, acids, and retinoids. Three days before your treatment session, you should stop taking NSAIDs and other anti-inflammatory drugs and supplements.
Additionally, within two weeks of your treatment session, you should not receive any laser-based skincare treatments. Furthermore, you should take an antiviral in the two days leading up to your scheduled appointment and the day of your appointment if you have a history of oral herpes outbreaks.
How Should I Care for My Skin After Treatment?
There are several post-treatment care rules you must abide by after your session is complete, but they’re not too restrictive. For example, you won’t be asked to go six weeks without an intense workout. However, you will be asked to avoid strenuous exercise during the first 72 hours following your treatment session. Sweating can affect your skin’s reaction to the treatment, so extremely hot showers should be avoided, as well.
During the first seven days following your treatment, you should not take any anti-inflammatory drugs or supplements. Remember, this treatment elicits an inflammatory response from your immune system that increases localized circulation and encourages extra collagen production. If you take a pharmaceutical that is designed to stop inflammatory responses, you won’t get the results you want out of this treatment.
What Else Should I Avoid After This Treatment?
Besides avoiding sweating and taking NSAIDs, you should avoid prolonged unprotected sun exposure for 14 days. When practical, wear a brimmed hat when you go outside to prevent direct sun exposure. Also, wear at least an SPF 30 sunscreen and reapply it every four hours.
Can I Wear Makeup After My Treatment?
During the first 24 hours following your treatment, you should only wear mineral makeup. After 24 hours have passed, you may wear cosmetics as you please. However, you must be careful to remove your makeup gently at the end of the day if you choose to wear it.
Schedule Your Initial Consultation Today
Microneedling starts working right away, but it can take between four and six weeks to see the final results of this treatment. Depending on the number of treatments you need to achieve your ideal results, it may take you several months to achieve your ideal results. However, you can hasten the onset of your final results by eating right and wearing sunscreen.
Drop us a line at Mia Bella Donna Medspa in Overland Park, KS to schedule a consultation and learn more. We can’t wait to meet you and help you achieve the bright, healthy skin you desire and deserve.
