SkinPen Microneedling in Scottsdale, AZ
Microneedling, which helps to promote collagen induction, is a treatment that creates microchannels to the skin which promotes your skin to create new collagen and elastin.
Collagen and elastin are the essential protein fibers in the skin that give it support and elasticity. As we age, these fibers break down and can cause wrinkles. Microneedling encourages the collagen and elastin to grow in the skin and can help give you a more youthful appearance. Microneedling is mostly used on the face but you can get it on your legs, neck, back, or other areas where you notice damaged skin. The microneedling procedure helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, scarring, pore size and hyperpigmentation. Many patients find microneedling as a great treatment for those looking to improve the appearance of skin damaged by stretch marks.
Microneedling is minimally invasive and requires no downtime. Microneedling The procedure is considered safe for patients who are considered in overall good health. Microneedling may not be a good idea for patients who are currently taking medications for active acne, or those with severe psoriasis or eczema. In most microneedling procedures pain is limited to minor redness and irritation for a few days after the procedure.
What does Microneedling help with ?
- Scars (acne and sugrical)
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Enlarged Pores
- Hyperpigmentation
- Uneven Skin texture
- Elasticity
What Can I Expect during my Treatment?
Dr. Berardi, a Scottsdale AZ based plastic surgeon, takes great pride in helping his patients accomplish their appearance goals. Dr. Berardi is sensitive to how important our appearance is in our sense of self-worth and perception in public. Patients from his Scottsdale-based practice praise his caring consultations. Dr Berardi and his team carefully listen to what patients are looking to accomplish and look to ensure that all concerns are addressed during their consultations. Dr Berardi will look at your skin, review your health history, in addition to understanding your goals. At the end of these consultations, patients can be confident that Dr Berardi’s recommendations will meet their unique goals.
If you are interested in proceeding with the microneedling procedure, you may be asked to stop using some topical creams, retinoids, or lotions to prepare for your first treatment. You may also be asked to refrain from taking some medication which may impact your body’s reaction to the procedure. You may also be provided with an antiviral medication to help prepare you for the procedure as well.
Most microneedling sessions take approximately 30 minutes. It may take multiple procedures to help you achieve the results that you are looking for. Follow up and maintenance sessions may be required to ensure efficacy after your sessions.
A numbing cream is applied to the treatment area to ensure maximum comfort prior to the procedure. Our aesthetician then uses the SkinPen device to create millions of controlled microchannels in the top layer skin to elicit your body's natural wound healing cascade. The microneedles create shallow, repetitive punctures in the skin. The idea is that the microneedles cause minor damage to the skin which initiates the body’s healing process. This causes the body to produce new collagen and elastin to heal the treated area, proteins that help to keep your skin smooth and firm. The healing process after the microneedling procedure can help reduce redness, dark spots, and improve skin elasticity.
During the procedure you may experience a warming or scratching sensation on the area of the procedure. If the affected area is near bone, you may experience a little more discomfort during the procedure. After the microneedling is complete, you may be provided a calming agent or other creams to help with the skin’s healing process. You may be provided with some additional skin care directions to ensure success of the procedure.
What does Recovery look like?
Microneedling is an outpatient procedure. You will not need much recovery time in office other than brief observation. In most cases, patients are able to leave within the hour of the procedure’s completion.
Following your treatment, your skin may appear pink and flushed, similar to a mild sunburn. Redness typically subsides the next day but some patients experience redness for 2-3 days. You may have slight swelling and your skin will feel tight. Do not workout for 24 hours, use a sauna or hot tub and avoid sun exposure. Your skin may be more sensitive to sun damage in the 24-48 hours following the procedure. Avoid exfoliants, AHAs/BHAS for 5 days. Downtime for this treatment is 3-5 days.
Rare reactions may include bruising or allergic response. Dr. Berardi will advise who to consult if you are concerned with any responses that are abnormal or outside of the expected effects.
How many Microneedling Treatments are Recommended?
We recommend booking a consultation to address your skin concerns and goals with our Medical Aesthetician. Microneedling can be used anywhere on the body but the most common areas are face, neck, décolleté and scars. Typically it is recommended to have 3-4 treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart. Maintenance treatments may be needed to keep up the progress or to prevent further damage. Dr Berardi may also recommend additional treatments to consider in addition to microneedling to help you achieve your cosmetic goals.
What is the Difference Between Microneedling and Microdermabrasion
While both procedures aim to improve the look and texture of the skin, there are some distinct differences between the two skin treatments. Microdermabrasion does not utilize needles but looks to activate the skin’s healing ability similar to microneedling.
Microdermabrasion uses a device with a rough edge, like sandpaper, to exfoliate the top layer of the skin. Microneedling treats the skin deeper and is much more effective with skin issues like acne scars.
Frequently Asked Questions About Microneedling:
While microneedling involves needles, the pain level depends on your pain tolerance. Many refer to the microneedling procedure as “uncomfortable” but not necessarily painful. Comparisons to microneedling on the face is like someone gently rubbing sandpaper on your face. Depending on the area being treated and how deep the procedure is needed, the pain level may vary. It is important to consider that the needles being used are very small and the pain from the needle itself is very minimal.
Some patients have shared that areas being treated that have thinner skin, like the mouth or eyes, are a little more painful than areas with thicker skin. Because the microneedling procedure is fairly quick, any pain or discomfort with the procedure does not last very long. Dr Berardi and team care for their patient’s comfort and can use numbing agents to help minimize discomfort for their patients.
Stay out of the sun and avoid scheduling any main events during the week following the procedure. Use gentle cleaners and hydrating lotions that help to stimulate the healing.
Those who have inflammatory acne, active bacterial or viral infections such as cold sores, active inflammatory skin conditions like psoriasis or rosacea. It is important to consult with Dr. Berardi if you feel as though you already have sensitive skin.
Microneedling can be effective in assisting with encouraging hair growth. Additional procedures may also be suggested along with microneedling if stimulating hair growth is the goal.
While there are many microneedling products on the market that are perfectly safe for at home use, they are not recommended. Working alongside an experienced and caring surgeon like Dr. Berardi will be more effective as he can provide medical knowledge and help guide your healing to help meet your goal.
In most cases, maximum results from microneedling are seen after about three months of the body repairing itself. The skin, during the process of repairing itself, will have produced new collagen giving your skin a smoother and tighter look and feel. Microneedling provides a long lasting solution as it uses the body’s own elastin and collagen. We lose collagen as we age, so maintenance treatments are recommended to help maintain the results.
Dermatologists and plastic surgeons have been performing thousands of microneedling procedures since the 1990s and there have been no reports of negative side effects. The only potential side effect is mild redness and swelling after the treatment. The effects are only temporary and should not provide any impact to your overall health.
Schedule Your Consultation At Our Scottsdale Office Today
Microneedling is a powerful treatment that works on all skin tones. We would love to discuss microneedling more with you and understand how we might be able to help you with your health and cosmetic needs. Dr. Berardi has helped thousands of patients, like you, meet their goals. We encourage you to contact our practice in Scottsdale at 480.397.0711 to schedule a consultation with our Medical Aesthetician to learn more about microneedling.
