If you’re struggling with multiple skin concerns in the New Orleans area, you’ll be happy to learn about aesthetic treatments that can improve your appearance. One of the best treatments to address a wide range of aesthetic concerns is microneedling, a treatment that can be customized for your skin types and concerns. Learn more about this treatment before you schedule your first appointment at Metairie Plastic Surgeons in Metairie, LA.
What Are the Benefits of Microneedling?
There are numerous benefits of microneedling. You can think of this treatment as an all-in-one solution for most pigmentation and textural concerns. Not only can this treatment be used by virtually everyone, but it can also produce long-lasting results. The most prominent skin benefits of this aesthetic treatment include:
Smooths Fine Lines and Wrinkles
One of the primary uses of this treatment is the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles. This treatment is exceptionally effective for smoothing away mild to moderate signs of aging. This treatment can reduce horizontal forehead lines, crow’s feet, nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and chin wrinkles. Essentially, all of your fine lines and wrinkles can be virtually erased with microneedling.
Reduces Stretch Marks
This treatment is effective in reducing the appearance of stretch marks. Stretch marks are caused by a gap in collagen formation when the skin stretches too quickly. Because this treatment can increase collagen within the deeper dermal layers, it can reduce scarring by correcting the texture of the skin when new collagen is formed.
Improves Acne Scars
Likewise, the treatment is also used to improve the appearance of acne scars. There are two types of acne scars that can be corrected with this aesthetic treatment. The first is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, a type of pigmented acne scar that creates dark spots on the skin. The cellular turnover stimulated with this treatment will significantly improve dark spots.
As for textural scars, including ice pick scars, rolling scars, and boxcar scars, the increased collagen within the skin can significantly improve these forms of acne scarring. This can be especially beneficial for those who have shallow to deep acne scarring on the cheeks that has not responded to chemical peels, retinoids, or other non-invasive treatments.
Tightens Loose Skin
Loose skin on the face and body can also greatly improve after microneedling treatments. Loose skin is a byproduct of aging that occurs when elastin and collagen production in your skin slows down. Over time, skin laxity can create crêpey skin and skin sagging on the neck, arms, stomach, and thighs. Again, because of the collagen formation produced by this treatment, the appearance of loose skin can improve.
Corrects Uneven Tone
Uneven tone can be caused by sun damage or skin injury. Correcting sun damage can be difficult when you’re only using topical medications because the damage is several layers deep. Although laser treatments are an option, some people like to use microneedling for mild sun damage and other blemishes to correct the pigment of the skin.
Shrink Enlarged Pores
Although the size of your pores is usually determined by your genetics, oily or acne-prone skin can also involve larger pores. This treatment can gradually shrink large pores by increasing collagen production. With smaller pores, the overall texture of your skin will improve.
Reduce Rosacea
When most people think about rosacea, they typically think about redness and flushing of the skin. However, as rosacea advances, it can also cause the skin to thicken and develop textural concerns. This treatment can greatly improve symptoms of advanced rosacea by smoothing the skin texture with fresh collagen.
Enhance Topical Products
Finally, if you want to enhance the efficacy of your topical skin care products, this treatment can be especially helpful. Because of the micro channels that are opened up in your skin with this treatment, your skin care products can penetrate your skin more deeply. This will ensure that the active ingredients in your skincare products can work effectively.
How Many Treatments Will You Need?
The number of treatments required to reach your skin goals will depend on the severity of your skin concerns and the specific challenges you want to treat. For example, those who have mild scarring or pigmentation concerns may only need one to three treatments to see desired results. Those who have moderate-to-severe wrinkles, scarring, stretch marks, or sun damage may need at least three to six consecutive treatments for the best results.
Usually, your treatments will be spaced four weeks apart until you achieve your skin goals. After that point, you may need to schedule occasional maintenance appointments to maintain the high collagen production in your skin.
What Can You Expect From Treatment?
Depending on the number of areas on the face or body that you want to treat, your appointment can take 30 to 60 minutes. This treatment works by using a sterile tool to pierce the upper dermal layers of your skin, which then triggers your skin’s natural rejuvenation ability.
When this happens, your skin will automatically produce higher levels of collagen, elastin, and fibrin, while also encouraging more rapid cellular turnover to improve your skin tone and texture. For your treatment, you will be able to use a topical numbing cream to ensure your comfort during your appointment.
What Should You Do Before Treatment?
Although this treatment is minimally invasive and does not involve the use of any exfoliating chemicals, it’s still a good idea to make a few changes to your normal routine about three to five days before treatment.
For example, you should stop using retinol, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and other skin exfoliants to reduce skin sensitivity. You should also stop using anti-inflammatory medications and blood thinning medications unless otherwise directed by your primary care physician.
What Should You Do After Treatment?
After your appointment, you should focus on soothing your skin and infusing your skin with nutrients and active ingredients that can help you achieve your skin goals. For example, it’s a good idea to use products containing collagen, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and other beneficial skin ingredients to enhance your cellular regeneration and collagen production.
That said, you should avoid using retinoids for at least one week after treatment. You should also avoid hot water, steam, excessive sweating, and direct sunlight for at least one to two weeks. When you are outside, you should use SPF 50 to protect your skin.
How Fast Are Your Results?
Most people will notice initial results about one week after the appointment. Your initial results will include brighter, smoother skin. These results will gradually improve as more collagen is produced in your skin. With consecutive treatments, you will be able to virtually reduce all scarring and reverse the most obvious signs of aging. Most people can achieve optimal results in three to six months.
How Long Will Results Last?
For the most part, your results will last for as long as collagen formation remains high in your skin. Your age will affect how quickly your skin produces collagen and how long collagen lasts. This is why younger people may be able to enjoy results for a longer period before they need to have a touch-up appointment, while mature people will need touch-up appointments more frequently. That said, you can usually expect space results to last for nine to 12 months.
Can You Enhance Your Results?
You can enhance your results by customizing your treatment with add-on services. For example, this treatment is often combined with radio frequency or PRP treatments to enhance collagen production. If you want to include add-on services for your treatment, you will need to discuss the possibility of using these treatments during your consultation.
Are You a Good Candidate?
Most adults with skin concerns are good candidates for this aesthetic treatment. As long as your skin is relatively healthy, you will be able to attend all appointments as scheduled. Of course, if you have a sunburn, an active cystic acne breakout, or a skin condition such as eczema or psoriasis, you will need to temporarily postpone your treatment until your skin condition improves.
Address All of Your Skin Concerns
There are several aesthetic treatments that can be used to address multiple skin concerns at one time. Of all of these treatment options, microneedling is one of the most effective for addressing both textural and pigmentation concerns. Take advantage of the current specials at Metairie Plastic Surgeons in Metairie, LA when you schedule your first treatment.
