If you’re not familiar with microneedling just yet, you might want to make this skincare treatment your new best friend, pronto. Microneedling, which also goes by “collagen induction therapy,” is a relatively quick and simple skin rejuvenation treatment. It works by creating tiny micro channels within your skin, which trigger the production of important proteins like collagen and elastin to deliver 5 seriously big benefits.
1. Say Goodbye to Pesky Lines and Wrinkles
One of the underlying reasons why fine lines and deep wrinkles form in the first place is because our bodies start to decrease the amount of collagen and elastin that they produce fairly early on in life. In fact, elastin production begins to slow after puberty, and your skin slows down on collagen production around your freshman year in college.
Over time, fewer and fewer proteins within the skin mean more and more lines and wrinkles. That’s where microneedling comes in. By triggering your skin’s natural wound-healing process, microneedling helps protein production to ramp back up, which translates into smoother, younger-looking skin and noticeably fewer lines and wrinkles.
2. Clear Up Sun Damage
Think back to your carefree 20s, when wearing sunscreen and staying out of tanning beds weren’t anywhere near the top of your priority list. Suddenly the signs of sun damage cropping up on your skin now don’t seem like a big mystery anymore.
Facial rejuvenation with microneedling can be a great way to reverse telltale signs of sun damage like dark spots and premature wrinkles. In the same vein, microneedling can also help to diminish hyperpigmentation caused by other common conditions like melasma.
3. Get Teeny Tiny Pores
Even though microneedling creates temporary micro channels in your skin, this treatment can actually help to reduce the appearance of enlarged pores, making your skin look and feel much smoother and more even. Increased collagen means a firmer and more supportive skin structure, which can have a tightening effect on the appearance of your pores.
Contrary to popular belief, pores can’t physically open and close. But a little extra collagen can help to plump the skin around them, making pores look a whole lot smaller.
4. Give Your Skincare Products a Boost
You know those special prescription-strength skincare products you’re using? Well, as beneficial as they may be, they may not be able to fully penetrate your skin for maximum effectiveness. Microneedling can increase skin absorption, helping your favorite topical products do their job much better.
However, because microneedling can help topical products reach the underlying layers of skin more quickly, you do have to be careful about what you apply to your skin directly after your procedure. Your dermatologist should provide some specific aftercare instructions to help you get the most out of your treatment.
5. Microneedling Isn’t Just for Your Face
When you read about microneedling benefits, they’re usually geared toward the effects they can have on your face. But this skin rejuvenation treatment can be used virtually anywhere on your face or body to help you achieve a smoother and more even skin tone and texture.
If you’re bothered by the appearance of stretch marks, acne scars or other skin imperfections that aren’t necessarily on your face, you might want to talk to your dermatologist about expanding your microneedling procedure to include these trouble spots.
Lynn M. Klein, M.D. is a renowned board-certified dermatologist, laser surgeon, and cosmetic dermatologist. She has been helping patients to maintain their healthiest skin for over 20 years. Dr. Klein uses minimally invasive procedures to achieve maximum skin care results and long term benefits, which are the hallmarks of her successful Bala Cynwyd dermatology practice.
