Have you ever invested in expensive topicals that promised to fix your skin, only to find out that they don’t work? Well, you’re not alone. People spend thousands of dollars for expensive products that don’t make a difference.
One of the reasons why they don’t … or can’t … work is because your skin is already too damaged from years of sun exposure, acne scars, or other damaging conditions that your skin endured.
The best way to bring your skin back to its original state is by using a procedure called microneedling.
If you’re interested in skincare, you probably heard about the effectiveness of microneedling in reversing the signs of skin aging and resolving other skincare concerns. Microneedling is a minimally invasive cosmetic treatment that uses tiny needles to stimulate the dermis and create new collagen, resulting in smoother, tighter skin.
The promise of microneedling is that it will help topicals penetrate deep into your skin’s outer layers, allowing it to help the skin repair itself at its deepest level. So, all that money you’re spending on topicals will actually be absorbed so that it can make a difference.
A lot of people find it confusing that the way to heal your skin and make it smoother is to wound the skin further. Isn’t that the opposite of healing?
But this is actually what makes microneedling so effective! It stimulates your body’s natural healing process without causing any damage to the surrounding tissue. Using tiny needles to puncture the skin actually gives birth to new skin.
Still confused as to what microneedling is used for?
Let me give you an illustration:
Imagine yourself breaking a bone. Hurts, right?
If you didn’t go to the doctor immediately and have it taken care of, within a few days the bone will start to heal. When your bone has healed to a certain point, it may be too late to realign the bones properly when you finally decide to go to the doctor.
It will be too late to fix it without causing new damage. If the bones didn’t heal in proper alignment, the doctor will have no choice. The bone must be re-broken. OUCH! This is the only way to restore alignment.
The same thing applies to the skin. If your skin is damaged due to some form of damage such as acne, scars, excessive sun exposure, or even just natural aging, it is hard to repair. Even if you buy the most expensive topical treatment that exists, there’s a strong chance it won’t work because the healing properties could not be absorbed by the skin.
Why is this?
Your skin is designed to protect you. It is a resistant barrier for your body.
When you are wounded, it creates an additional layer that thickens the skin. We refer to this as skin damage. When our skin is damaged, it becomes even more resistant to whatever we put on our skin.
The more damage … the more and thicker layers we add … and the thicker the skin becomes. If you want to use something like retinol or a topical with active ingredients, it won’t penetrate the skin because it has become so thick.
This is where microneedling comes in.
By creating micro-wounds, the skin can absorb the active ingredients through the thicker skin layers. These small injuries allow the skin to absorb the active ingredients better, which then allows them to penetrate deeper into the skin.
What Exactly Happens During Microneedling?
Microneedling uses tiny needles to create microchannels in the skin, which allows for better penetration of nutrients and oxygen into the dermis layer. This helps to reduce inflammation and increase collagen production.
What is collagen?
Collagen is a protein that helps to make the skin firm and elastic. When we age, our body produces less collagen, which allows wrinkles and sagging skin to develop. With more collagen in our body, we look younger and healthier because it helps to increase hydration and restores the elasticity of our skin.
How does microneedling help increase collagen?
How does microneedling help increase collagen?Microneedling increases collagen production by stimulating cells to multiply. Collagen is produced by fibroblasts, which are found in the dermis layer. When we stimulate these cells, they begin producing more collagen.
In fact, some studies show that after one treatment, collagen levels increased up to 50%. Another study showed that after three treatments, patients saw a 60% increase in collagen production.
There are two ways to stimulate collagen production:
1. Stimulate cell multiplication
Stimulating cell multiplication is done by using microneedles that are longer than those used in traditional microneedling devices. They also create smaller holes, which means more channels can be created. This stimulates the growth of new blood vessels, which helps the skin heal faster.
2. Increase blood flow to the area
Increasing blood flow to the area is done by puncturing the skin with tiny needles. This stimulates the capillaries to dilate, allowing more blood to circulate throughout the area.
If you are wondering which of these two methods work best … well, both methods work well! But since we’re talking about increasing collagen production, stimulating cell multiplication will create the greatest signs of improvement.
We recommend using both methods together to create even more collagen production! That means your skin will have higher chances of becoming firmer and smoother.
Another thing that you should bear in mind is that while microneedling enables your skin to produce more collagen and absorb topicals better, it’s still dependent on your aftercare and maintenance routine for producing great results.
With microneedling, what you do after the procedure is equally important. This means, choosing the right topicals to use for your skin.
Why is it Important to Choose the Right Topicals to Use Post-Microneedling?
- It may help reduce redness and swelling.
- It can help to prevent infection.
- It helps to speed up the healing process.
- It reduces downtime.
- It improves results.
- It saves money in the long-term.
- It helps avoid irritation.
- It helps to avoid developing dry patches as the skin heals.
- It helps to avoid scarring.
What Topicals to Choose After Microneedling
There is no shortage of topicals that you can use after microneedling. Here are some of the most popular ones:
1. Vitamin C Serum
Vitamin C serum is an excellent choice if you want to boost your collagen production. It contains vitamin C, which has been proven effective at boosting collagen production.
2. Collagen Peptide Serum
This serum contains peptides (small proteins), which have been shown to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The peptides are derived from natural sources such as fish scales or cow hooves.
3. Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Hyaluronic acid is another popular ingredient that’s often added to serums. It’s a naturally occurring substance that makes up part of our body’s extracellular matrix. It’s known to hydrate the skin, making it look younger and smoother.
4. Retinol Serum
Retinol is a form of vitamin A. It helps to brighten dark spots and even out pigmentation. Vitamin A should not be used without consulting your physician as it can build up to toxic levels.
5. Alpha Lipoic Acid Serum
Alpha lipoic acid is another powerful antioxidant that’s great for reducing inflammation.
6. Evening Primrose Oil
Evening primrose oil is rich in omega-6 fatty acids, which are essential for healthy skin.
7. Biotin
Biotin is a fat soluble vitamin that’s necessary for normal hair growth.
8. Vitamins E & K
These vitamins are antioxidants that protect against free radicals, which cause aging and damage to cells.
9. Green Tea Extract
Green tea extract is high in polyphenols, which have anti-inflammatory properties.
10. Shea Butter
Shea butter is a type of wax found in nature. It moisturizes the skin without clogging pores.
11. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a plant that grows in warm climates. It’s packed full of nutrients like minerals, amino acids, enzymes, and vitamins.
12. Milk Protein
12. Milk ProteinMilk protein is derived from animal milk. It’s rich in calcium and other beneficial elements.
13. Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is extracted from the seeds of a desert shrub. It’s one of the best oils for acne treatment because it reduces sebum production.
14. Rosehip Seed Oil
Rosehip seed oil comes from rosehips, which is a fruit that grows on bushes. It’s high in vitamin A, vitamin C, and beta carotene.
15. Avocado Oil
Avocado oil is rich in monounsaturated fats, which make it suitable for oily skin.
Why Microneedling is Better Done by Professionals
As you can see, microneedling is a procedure that works and is generally safe. However, it is important to choose the professional who will perform this procedure on you carefully. Make sure to find someone with experience and expertise.
Many will try this procedure on themselves at home. While this can be doable, we advise you to start with a professional. There are many risks involved especially if you are not equipped and trained. So, better to find a professional to do it for you.
