DIY has its place, but not with what should be an in-clinic procedure, like microneedling.
Earlier this summer, I talked about the latest craze in skin care. Now, I want to talk about why you shouldn’t pick up a flimsy microneedle roller from Amazon for less than $8.
Bottomline: Vogue magazine’s Next Big Thing should be left in the hands of a skincare professional.
Why? So that you, the consumer, can make an informed decision for the issue you want to address and to ensure you do not cause any unwanted side effects.
Microneedling improves the look of scars, fine wrinkles, sagging skin, and skin texture. Minimally invasive, the procedure is quick, has no downtime, and is painless (thanks to a numbing agent).
At Home vs. in a Clinic
Let’s talk about the differences between using an at-home microneedling roller and what’s available at a skin care professional’s office. Typically, the roller you can buy on Amazon is under 1mm. The ones used by professionals are between 1 and 3 mms, and are used at varying sizes to treat varying issues.
Because the at-home roller has smaller needles, it is a pain-free procedure that really only maximizes the effectiveness of topical skincare products, like Retin-A or Vitamin C.
The at-clinic roller goes deeper and requires a numbing agent to keep the procedure comfortable. That deeper penetration means microneedling can treat sagging skin, wrinkles, acne scars, and more. A sterile, professional environment is needed for this type of treatment.
Microneedling works because it creates “micro-injuries,” which boost collagen production. This procedure really should be done by a professional to get the results you want.
And beyond a starred rating, in-clinic microneedling has a scientific study to back up its efficacy. In a 2009 study used the method to treat atrophic scars (think: acne or chicken pox scars) and found the treatment produced “excellent” results in 80% of patients. The study further noted: “No significant adverse effects were noted in any patient.”
The At-Clinic Procedure
Microneedling can take up to 60 minutes in the clinic. As mentioned before, a numbing agent is used to make the procedure comfortable. There is no downtime and makeup can be applied after the procedure. Multiple procedures might be necessary to treat some skin problems.
With a device called a dermapen, microneedling uses fine needles to inflict thousands of invisible “injuries” to the deepest layer of skin. It’s those injuries that convince the body to produce more collagen and elastin.
You can read more about microneedling and find out if it’s right for you here.
About Jennifer
Jennifer Curtin is a medical aesthetician who is nationally recognized for her expertise in medical skin care. With more than 20 years of experience in medical aesthetics, she is dedicated to the aesthetic industry and has received awards of merit including the International CIDESCO Certification, Asst. Cosmetic Laser Practitioner and National Leadership Award. Jennifer is also an expert in microneedling and the president of Skintherapy, which is located in the Buckhead section of Atlanta. To schedule an appointment with Jennifer, call 404-358-2961.
