What Is Skin Needling? 

Skin needling, also more colloquially referred to as the infamous “vampire facial” or “micro-needling” (we’ll just stick to skin needling), is one of the latest beauty and skin rejuvenation trends to hit the market in recent years. Whether you’re looking to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles or hyper-pigmentation, skin needling is one of the most effective dermal therapies for skin rejuvenation. As an added bonus, it’s a minimally invasive procedure that can be done in-clinic with little to no downtime which is always a plus!

How Does Skin Needling Work?

As its name suggests, skin needling involves the use of micro needles on a medical grade roller or pen. This roller is then maneuvered over the skin, thus creating tiny punctures that penetrate through the surface to create a micro-wound. This all sounds a lot scarier than it actually is, but fret not because the skin needling process causes minimal to no damage to the upper epidermal layer of your skin. 

The injury caused by a micro-wound and bleeding then triggers a healing response in the skin. This results in increased collagen and elastin production for smoother, firmer and more toned skin.

Benefits of Skin Needling 

In order to understand the benefits of skin needling, we need to focus on collagen —  one of the most abundant proteins in the body. It is the skin’s greatest healer and a host of benefits are reaped when the production of collagen is encouraged. Skin needling is ideal for both men and women and is an excellent therapy to start in your 20’s-30’s as young skin responds more effectively to collagen stimulation via needles.

Some of the benefits you may notice include:

• Reduced appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Reduction in acne scars
• Even skin tone in cases of hyper-pigmentation
• Better skin texture and complexion
• Enhanced absorption of skincare products
• Reduction in pore size
• Reduced appearance of stretch marks and scars

Compared to other more invasive cosmetic procedures, skin needling is a skin tightening treatment that is relatively fuss free and can be done in under 2 hours. This makes it a fantastic option for those who are looking for an effective solution that isn’t just quick, but also requires close to zero downtime. 

Does Skin Needling Hurt?

One of the most common questions that we are asked by clients is whether skin needling hurts. The quick answer here is — it depends. 90% of patients find the procedure completely pain free, but if you are someone who is particularly sensitive to pain, you may experience a small amount of discomfort during your session. Just as some find waxing painful and others don’t, it all comes down to an individual’s tolerance and threshold for pain. Thankfully, the skilled team at Medical Aesthetic are meticulously trained at making the experience as pain free and comfortable as possible. 

Is Skin Needling Safe?

Microneedling is considered incredibly safe for people who are in good health. The most common side effect you can expect to experience is mild skin irritation and redness after your procedure. This usually settles down after a few days as your skin begins to heal and rejuvenate. It is, however, important to note that you may not be an ideal candidate for skin needling if you:

• Suffer from skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema (a consult with one of our team members is recommended in order to assess your individual case)
• Are pregnant 
• Have had radiation therapy recently
• Are currently suffering from severe cystic acne 
• Have had dermal fillers in your face in the recent past (no less than 2 weeks)

In order to ensure you achieve the best results, it is also important that you pay close attention to your aftercare routine. Following your procedure, you may experience small amounts of swelling and or redness at treatment sites. After 3-5 days, you may notice that your skin starts to flake off due to skin cells being stimulated upwards. It is vital that you avoid picking your skin during this period of time and that you apply the appropriate after-care products such as moisturiser 2-3 times a day. Staying out of the sun is also advised as your skin may be temporarily more sensitive to UV rays post-treatment, and the use of sunscreen immediately after treatment is highly discouraged. 

And now, the bit you’ve been waiting for — how long does it take to notice results after skin needling? Patients can expect to notice final results anywhere after the 12 week mark, although it isn’t uncommon for many to notice a significant difference within a matter of a few short weeks! 

Now that you know the ins and outs of skin needling, don’t hesitate to contact us to book your very own session today! Our expert team at Medical Aesthetic will be able to work with you on your individual treatment plan in order to help you achieve your treatment goals and put you on the path towards a healthy, glowing complexion that you can be proud of. 

Everything You Need to Know About Skin Needling