Micro Needling
Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure involving the movement of a pen-like device with an attached sterile, disposable cartridge tip containing small needles over the skin’s surface. The microneedles puncture the skin and create tiny micro injuries that are not visible to the naked eye. These tiny punctures stimulate tissue regeneration through a process called collagen induction therapy (CIT) which improves the appearance of the skin.
The process of CIT is instigated through the breaking of the old and damaged strands of collagen in target tissues via microneedling. This leads to the production of new collagen, which improves the structure and function of the skin while improving its appearance.
By utilising CIT, skin concerns such as acne scars, surgical scars and melasma may be treated. Cosmetic concerns such as fine lines, wrinkles and scars may also be improved. It generally takes at least up to 2 months before a physical improvement can be seen, and multiple treatments may be required to achieve desirable results.
SkinPen
SkinPen is our new secret weapon to rejuvenate and volumise skin, stimulating collagen production which in turn supports the skin and helps to defy the signs of ageing. The treatments help create a healthier, tighter and smoother skin appearance, with natural results.
SkinPen is a microneedling medical device used for the treatment of melasma, surgical scars and acne scars and ageing signs, through collagen induction therapy. It is designed to treat different body parts, including face, neck, decolletage, as well as different skin types, light to dark.
Microneedling creates thousands of micro-injuries in the skin in an effort to trigger the body’s natural wound healing process. This assists in the promotion of collagen and elastin, the two proteins predominantly responsible for the structure of the skin. Treatment with SkinPen is ideal any time of the year.
Pre-Treatment Consultation
Your treating practitioner will ask questions regarding your medical history, inclusive of any medication or nutritional supplements that you may be taking, to determine if the SkinPen® treatment is suitable for you. They will also clarify your goals for treatment, may take photographs, and provide you with information regarding an individual treatment program, realistic treatment outcomes and an explanation of the treatment process. Your treating practitioner will also advise on pre and side effects programs.
The SkinPen® Procedure
Your skin will be prepared for treatment through cleansing followed by preparation with a disinfecting agent. Your treating practitioner may advise the use of a topical anaesthetic to ease treatment discomfort. Please follow all instructions outlined by the trained professional if topical anaesthetic is recommended.
SkinFuse® Lift HG (a hydrogel product) is applied to the skin’s surface during the procedure. It is specifically designed and formulated for use with microneedling procedures to prevent against friction and abrasion during the treatment.
The treating practitioner will attach the sterile, single use needle cartridge to the SkinPen® to determine the length of the microneedle to use for the procedure. Once attached, the sterile tip of the SkinPen® needle cartridge is moved across the surface of the skin to perform the treatment. Some clients may experience a small amount of discomfort during the treatment alongside a small amount of pinpoint bleeding.
SkinPen® Post-Treatment Care
The skin is then cleansed and a generous amount of SkinFuse® Repair to the area treated to maintain a moist wound healing environment to support skin recovery.
What to Expect Following a SkinPen® Procedure
The following are expected following SkinPen® procedures with experiences varying between clients:
Low grade redness and swelling for up to 4 days post treatment
Slight discomfort subsiding with 24 hours
Bruising
Mild crusting and scabbing for 2-3 days post treatment
Short term skin dryness, tightness, itching and burning
Skin peeling
Short term darkening of skin pigmentation followed by lightening
Are There Any Side Effects Associated with SkinPen® Procedures?
SkinPen® microneedling procedures are generally very well tolerated with side effects being rare when your treatment is performed by a trained professional. Most side effects will only occur due to not following appropriate pre and post treatment skin care instructions as set out by your treating practitioner, applying non- approved skincare to treated skin, and also due to not disclosing vital information to the skincare professional during the consultation.
The side effects may include:
Skin infection
Temporary post inflammatory hyperpigmentation
Tram track appearance on the skin
Bruising
Allergic granuloma formation
Systemic hypersensitivity
Persistent redness
Acne and milia
Reactivation of herpes simplex virus (cold sores)
When to Call Your Doctor Following a SkinPen® Procedure
Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following:
Signs of infection: increased skin redness, heat, swelling, itching or pus formation within 48 hours post treatment
Signs of an allergic reaction: contact dermatitis, unusual rash or itching, swelling or difficulty breathing, hives, asthma
Appearance of herpes simplex infection
FAQ’s
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Microneedling procedures are generally deemed minimally invasive with a low risk of adverse events and complications as long as treatment instructions and pre and post skin care advice is followed effectively. Most adverse events and complications are directly associated with poor skin care post procedure and not following instructions pre and post procedure.
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Depending on the individual, some clients may be able to resume normal activities immediately following a SkinPen® procedure with other resuming normal activities the day after. The exception to this is exercise and activities that induce sweating and heat, as they may aggravate the skin post- procedure. For further guidance please refer to the post-treatment skincare guide in the booklet you will be given.
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Microneedling procedures may improve the appearance of acne and surgical scars, however they cannot completely remove them.
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Microneedling procedures may improve the appearance of melasma, however cannot completely remove it or prevent it from coming back again.
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Every client varies with regards to their treatment needs, with most skin concerns requiring more than one procedure to achieve results. Your treating practitioner will create a treatment plan based on your individual needs and explain this to you during your first consultation. This plan may need to be reviewed over time.
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Some results achieved through microneedling procedures may last for a longer period of time than others. Due to this reason further procedures may be required to maintain results.
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It may take up to 2-6 months to see results with SkinPen®. This is because beneficial effects associated with microneedling rely upon the wound healing process within the skin which takes time, hence results may take this long to physically appear.
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t is essential that you only use skincare products recommended by your treating practitioner following your SkinPen® procedure. This is due to your skin having microchannels within it that can enhance the absorption of topically applied products for 24-48hrs post procedure. Various products may lead to allergic reactions and the formation of unwanted adverse skin reactions, hence any product that has not been approved by your treating practitioner should not be applied due to this risk.
The recommended protocol following a SkinPen® procedure is as follows: SkinFuse® Lift HG only should be used for 24hrs following the procedure and the use of SkinFuse® Rescue Calming Complex may commence 24hrs after the procedure.
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kinPen® has not been clinically trialed for the intended use of needling of transdermal delivery of topical substances into the skin.
