What are different types of microneedling treatment? Micro-needling is a form of non-invasive cosmetic procedure where tiny needles are used to puncture the skin in order to deliver growth factor molecules directly into the deeper layers of the skin. Although this treatment is now routine in many clinics, it is still not well known by many people. It is a relatively new treatment which has been used for only a few decades. The science behind the treatment and the proof that it works are still not well understood, and will require more time to work out its complexities.
There are different types of microneedling treatment that have been developed over time with varying points of view on when and how best to use them. Dermaroller is an instrument that contains 192 micro needles which are threaded on a rod in order to make punctured holes in the skin. It is used to deliver materials into the skin and stimulate collagen production, while also increasing blood flow to the area resulting in faster healing time.
Micro-needling is a procedure in which the skin is punctured by a series of needles that are usually in the range 0.1mm to 2.0mm (1000-3000 micrometers). The depth of penetration may vary depending on patient skin type and their response to treatment. In general, micro-needling treatment is performed as an office procedure that last 1 or 2 hours.This article will cover some of the types of microneedling available and describe their uses.
Mechanical:
The simplest types of microneedling treatment are usually mechanical, which involves pushing the needles through the skin. These are usually called ‘mini-needles’ because they are so small. The treatment results in tiny holes that open up in the skin and can leave superficial mechanical wounds. The wounds can look deceptively deep and often take several weeks to heal. Mechanical needling requires very little skill but it is important that the surgeon is experienced with such procedures in order to avoid bleeding and potentially damaging tissues.
One type of mechanical needling, called dermaroller uses a simple roller with attached needles. The roller, or needle rollers, is rolled over the skin repeatedly in order to create tiny punctures that are less than 0.5 to 1mm deep. Dermaroller is relatively safe but it can cause some bleeding and inflammation and scarring can occur if not used appropriately or with excessive force. Mechanical needling is designed for those patients who have very elastic skin and do not mind the pockmarks that can be left after healing.
Fractional:
Fractional microneedling uses a powerful laser to create a series of tiny punctures in the skin. The laser creates thousands of micro-injuries called ‘microcolumns’ in the upper layer of the skin. The depth of the injuries range from 20 to 200 micrometers, which is far less than many other lasers available today. These wounds heal gradually over time and often leave no visible scars. The fact that this procedure does not cause a lot of bleeding leads most patients to believe that it does not hurt, but in fact it can be quite painful and may take a lot for a person to tolerate it.
Some people may experience a burning sensation, swelling, redness and a little bleeding when the process is done for the first time. There is also evidence that the treatment has some side effects that can be really serious. The most common is skin darkening after a series of treatments due to excessive exposure to the laser rays.
This turn into hyper-pigmentation and infection on rare occasions. In some cases, fractional treatments can damage nerves and blood vessels in the skin resulting in numbness or changes in hair growth in areas adjacent to treated areas. The long-term risks are still not well known but patients have reported several complications including blistering, ulceration and acne breakouts as well as significant swelling, blistering, pain and inflammation.
Mesotherapy:
Mesotheraphy is a mix of microneedling and injectable fillers. There are two types, Epi (short for epidermal) and Lipo (lipolytic). Epithelium microneedling injections target the fast growing layer of skin cells in order to tweak the underlying layers. The injection fills each puncture with tiny amounts of filler. In some cases, filler can be added to each puncture by injecting through the needle.
This creates a small pocket underneath where it can be filled with many different types of fillers depending on which one is used or what the response is to each type. Filler moves smoothly and gradually through the skin but it can sometimes cause mild irritation or discomfort after treatment. Mesotherapy is designed for those who want to correct some imperfections on the face but do not want to undergo surgical procedures.
Laser:
There are many different kinds of lasers that can be used for microneedling. The most popular is the ‘Erbium’ laser, which has a wavelength of 2.94M and can be used to create micro-injuries or micro-columns in the skin. A fractional laser allows a surgeon to control the depth of penetration so it can be changed during treatment as needed. The laser can also be adjusted so different size columns can be created, which means that more peelings and better results can be expected by using different size columns on any given region.
There are many different types of microneedling treatment that allow one to create micro-injuries, including Diode laser, Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser, Erbium laser and Nd:Yag laser. For a complete list see the headings ‘laser needling’ and ‘microneedling’ on the site. The treatment takes about 20 minutes and only one or two treatments are needed to achieve the desired result. Laser microneedling is often used when structural fat or skin laxity is to be corrected or for improving fine lines, scars and wrinkles.
Microneedling+PRP:
PRP (platelet rich plasma) is a liquid that contains the cellular elements of blood that has been separated, concentrated and frozen. It contains all of the essential proteins, growth factors, cytokines and hormones that are essential to the development and rejuvenation of tissue. Using stem cells from an individual’s own fat or bone marrow can result in a higher concentration of stem cells which can stimulate up to 2000 times more growth factors than what is found in normal plasma.
The PRP injections are very similar to liposuction in terms of their effect on the skin so they are often used together as they both have similar ingredients. The PRP injection also helps to increase blood flow allowing more nutrients and oxygen to reach deeper layers of skin. A PRP injection can also be added to a Fraxel treatment to improve healing, but it is often used alone to treat a variety of different skin conditions. This procedure takes about 15-30 minutes depending on how many areas are treated. Using a good prp centrifuge machine can makes the process even easier. The results are not immediate and may take several weeks or even months to fully develop.
Microneedling+TCA:
TCA means ‘Trichloroacetic Acid’ and is made from hydrogen and chlorine. It is an acid solution that dissolves the layer of skin just beneath the surface so that new collagen can form outside of the skin. The acid penetrates the lower skin layers then dissolves the surface and new collagen forms to fill in the gaps. TCA treatments can be used for many skin conditions including stretch marks, scarring, acne, discolorations and fine lines and wrinkles.
The acid is similar to a peel as it removes the surface of skin and this makes it a good choice when skin without blemishes is being treated. The procedure works well on most areas of the face but may be less effective on regions with deep creases such as around where eyebrows meet nose or mouth. It is only available in salons but can be done at home if you have a very small area to treat.
Some Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs):
1. How long should I wait before using any AHA products or glycolic acid after a microneedling treatment?
It is recommended that you do not use any AHA or glycolic products for one month following a treatment as they can cause a burning sensation on the skin. Instead, use natural emollients and moisturizers to keep the skin soft and supple. Glycolic acid should also be avoided for 3 days or until the skin is completely healed after a treatment.
2. Will my hair fall out if I have these treatments?
No, but it may come out in patches of baldness if the laser goes through an area with hair just above where it has been treated. This is a completely normal response and the hair should grow back within 3-4 months.
Now watch this YouTube video to know if it is worthwhile or not:
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