The tool behind SkinPen microneedling may look small, but it delivers big results. In as few as three sessions, it can reveal glossy, healthy skin that glows from within. Wrinkles diminish, scars fade, and tissues look smoother and plumper. At the Image Center in Huntington Beach, San Clemente, Irvine, and Downey, CA, we trust in the time-proven effects of microneedling but trust even more in the efficacy and efficiency of the SkinPen.
Let’s first tackle microneedling, a practice that dates back to 1995. At its most basic level, microneedling involves very fine and sterilized needles that get inserted into the skin. The purpose is to rejuvenate your complexion and improve overall skin health. Once tissues recognize the pinpricks made by microneedling, they rush into a state of healing.
The pinpricks only extend to your skin’s surface, but that’s deep enough to spur collagen synthesis (hence, the reason microneedling is also known as collagen induction therapy). Research confirms that a series of three or four treatments, each spaced one month apart, can prompt up to a 400% increase in collagen and elastin. This effect is most visible about six months after treatment completion, but you’ll also enjoy short-term effects like:
The SkinPen is a microneedling tool that delivers the effects we just mentioned by creating controlled micro-injuries in the skin. Those micro-injuries prompt the release of growth factors and cytokines that help to remodel collagen and elastin. Some of the benefits provided by SkinPen microneedling include:
This minimally invasive treatment is performed in-office and is safe for all skin tones and types because it doesn’t affect the epidermis. Neither does the SkinPen use heat, toxins, or chemicals to burn or remove layers of skin. Instead, it works with your body’s natural regenerative abilities to smooth and soften skin.
The SkinPen provides an easy therapy that allows you to quickly return to work or social activities. We commonly apply a topical anesthetic before treatment to keep you comfortable, and a session often lasts between just 30 minutes and an hour.
More than 90% of patients would recommend treatment with SkinPen microneedling because it’s a precise, reliable tool. Its slim design allows us to target many different facial areas, and it can even be used on the neck and decolletage to address lines and wrinkles. And because we can adjust the needles to different lengths, we’re able to customize treatment based on your skin’s thickness and unique needs.
The SkinPen creates thousands of microchannels (wounds) while minimizing cellular damage. It rejuvenates the skin from the inside out, remodels scar tissue, and keeps the overall structure of skin intact.
Your treatment will likely begin with a thorough cleansing of your face. It’s best if you can arrive at your session with bare skin – no creams, lotions, or cosmetics. We will likely then apply the topical numbing cream, and once that takes effect, we’ll pass the SkinPen back and forth over your entire face. The needles move up and down to create the microchannels we mentioned earlier. After finishing with the Skin Pen, we often apply a sealing serum.
The punctures created by the SkinPen allow tissues to move through all three phases of the wound repair process. Once the skin is pierced, the immune system works to cleanse the wounds, remove debris, and increase blood flow. New tissue also starts to form.
In the second step, new granulation cells start rebuilding the wound. These cells help form the extracellular matrix (ECM) that supports the skin’s structure. A new network of blood vessels additionally develops. Last but not least, in the final phase, the wounds are replaced with new blood vessels and dermal tissues.
At one time, a rolling device fashioned with needles was the only tool used for microneedling. But that tool proved painful and inconsistent. The SkinPen is different in that it provides an even, balanced treatment across the entire face. Thanks to disposable needle cartridges, it’s also more sanitary. Its sleek physical design allows us to easily reach small areas like the temples and between the brows.
The SkinPen’s mechanical process is also less abrasive. It uses longer needles than rollers to reach deep into the dermis, making it possible to treat and break up scar tissue. And when treatment sessions are properly spaced, microneedling can be administered year-round.
Patients often ask if the SkinPen is painful, and we always answer with the same resounding no. The device itself might yield a slight vibration, but no pain is involved. As mentioned earlier, we ensure your comfort by applying a topical anesthetic at the start of your session.
We also commonly answer questions about aftercare. While we’ll likely provide you with instructions specific to your needs, some of the most common steps we recommend for post-treatment needs include:
As mentioned earlier, some effects of microneedling will be immediately visible. Your tissues, however, will continue to repair themselves over a course of several weeks. Depending on the health of your skin and the damage you’ve incurred (sunspots, wrinkles, and so on), your final results may take several months to develop. But throughout this time, your complexion will be brighter and your skin smoother.
The SkinPen is the first Class II, FDA-approved microneedling device in the U.S. It is safe for most patients over the age of 22, even those with sensitive skin. Patients who should consider alternative treatment options include those who have:
Microneedling has remained a popular cosmetic treatment for decades but is today elevated because of the SkinPen. This unique device allows us to precisely target delicate facial areas, provide safe and effective treatment, and rejuvenate your entire appearance. Even better, these results come with little, if any, recovery time.