There comes a time in almost every person’s life when rejuvenation becomes of utter importance. For centuries, men and women have been coming up with ways to look younger.
In the 21st century, the number of methods has grown considerably. It’s possible to stretch youth for many decades while enjoying all its benefits.
Today, looking young is not just a whim, it’s a necessity. Your appearance is your calling card when you are looking for work or a relationship.
While cosmetic surgery is still the most effective way to improve the way people look, many men and women settle for less invasive procedures. One of them is microneedling.
In this article, we’ll take a deeper look at what microneedling is and what advantages and disadvantages it comes with. Read on!
What is Microneedling?
To understand what microneedling is about, you have to know the importance of collagen. Collagen is the substance that holds your body together. It’s a protein, which helps replace dead skin cells and gives skin strength and elasticity.
With age, the amount of collagen produced by our body goes down. However, we can replenish the stores with simple procedures.
The other name for microneedling is collagen induction therapy. The process stimulates collagen production in your skin cells. How does it happen?
A specialist uses a device that contains numerous extra-fine needles. These needles puncture your skin, creating tiny holes. The process is almost painless because the needles are extremely small and so are the openings they make.
Once the device punctures the skin, your body starts working hard producing collagen to heal the damage. As a result, your skin tightens and regains elasticity.
Microneedling can deal with such problems as discoloration, skin damage, stretch marks, acne scars, and even hair loss.
Pros of Microneedling
Let’s discover the numerous benefits of microneedling.
1. Scar Removal
Acne scars are among the most common skin problems faced by men and women all over the world. While they are harmless, these scars can reduce the quality of anyone’s life by their unpleasant appearance.
Microneedling can reduce scarring and even remove it altogether. A study done in 2009 showed more than 80% of patients, who underwent microneedling for acne scar reduction reported positive results.
This collagen induction process doesn’t just deal with acne scars, it can help with pigmentation, burn scars, and stretch marks. Microneedling can also reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
2. Short Recovery Time
According to cosmetic surgeons at LaBelleVie, microneedling patients recover in as little as two to three days. Plastic surgery or laser procedure recovery time is at least twice as long. The process is done on an outpatient basis, allowing the patient to get back to regular activities right away.
3. Reasonable Price
Unlike many other cosmetic procedures, such as laser-resurfacing or cosmetic surgery, microneedling is affordable for many patients. Some people even buy at-home microneedling devices and perform the procedure on their own.
It’s important to consult with the doctor before doing microneedling at home. There are counter-indications to the procedure, such as scleroderma, cardiac diseases, bacterial or fungal infections, and a few more.
4. Rejuvenating Effect
One of the most demanded benefits of the microneedling process is rejuvenation. By stimulating collagen production, it makes your skin appear younger. As the skin regains elasticity and plumpness, the overall appearance improves.
You can use microneedling on any part of your body, not just the face. While removing scars, you can tighten loose skin and acquire a youthful look.
Cons of Microneedling
Even though the procedure seems like a must-try, it’s important to consider the disadvantages.
1. Lack of Immediate Results
You don’t see results of microneedling until 5 to 6 weeks pass after the procedure. You have to give collagen a chance to grow. In order to achieve the best effect, you may need to repeat the procedure several times with 4 to 6 week intervals.
It’s worth noting that cosmetic surgery usually provides quicker results and doesn’t require such frequent touch-ups.
2. Risk of Infection
Even though the invasion in microneedling is minimal, it still exists. So does the risk of infection. It’s vital to choose the right clinic and ensure sterility in order to avoid unfortunate consequences.
People doing microneedling at home have to be extremely careful to keep the device clean. The majority of infections occurs due to improper use of the microneedling tool.
3. Doesn’t Suit Everyone
Microneedling is not for everyone. As we said earlier, it has several counter-indications. Meanwhile, the procedure may not help you achieve the results you are hoping for. For example, it may not eliminate deep acne scars of help you get rid of stretch marks entirely.
It’s important to have realistic expectations about the procedure and consult a doctor beforehand. You should also realize that microneedling has a short-term effect. You would have to repeat the procedure in several months.
4. Redness and Swelling
After the procedure, some people experience redness and swelling for a few days, which may interfere with their everyday activities. While both of these side effects disappear entirely, they could keep some people from doing microneedling.
Final Thoughts
Microneedling is a minimally invasive way to stimulate natural collagen growth. The procedure can help deal with skin imperfections, such as acne scars and stretch marks. It can also make the skin look more youthful, improving the overall appearance of the patient. However, microneedling is not for everyone. It comes with a set of counter-indications and doesn’t provide results immediately.
