What is Microneedling?
At The CENTER for Advanced Facial Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills, we use the Rejuvapen Micro Fractional Collagen Stimulation. This medical-grade system involves the use of microneedles to create invisible, micro-perforations into the top layers of the skin, helping the skin become firmer and regain its elasticity.
Microneedling accelerates the repairing process of your skin through the creation of microscopic channels. This allows products or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin, leading to better results.
How does Microneedling work?
Microneedling is based on the idea that the skin has the ability to naturally repair itself when damaged. The skin responds to the microneedles in essentially the same way the body responds to a wound.
Generally, microneedling treatment involves the use of a tool with tiny, precisely spaced needles in the tip to create micro-punctures in the epidermis and dermis. The micro-injury helps activate the skin’s natural cell regeneration properties. As a result, microneedling helps lift, tighten and rejuvenate the skin, reduce the appearance of scars and other facial blemishes, and minimize pore size.
What are the benefits?
Step 1: Centrifuge the blood to separate the plasma (PRP) from the red blood cells.
Step 2: Prepare just the PRP cells to be used with the micro-needling
Step 3: Apply the plasma to the patient’s skin before using the microneedling pen
Step 4: Use the microneedling pen to inject your plasma into your skin
Who is a candidate for Microneedling?
Unlike many laser therapies, microneedles are an ideal treatment for just about anyone who wants to enhance the facial appearance. It is minimally invasive and delivers proven results. As such, individuals can receive microneedling treatments to reduce the visible appearance of scarring, enjoy healthier-looking skin texture and tone and much more.
Although this is viable treatment for many people, the procedure is not recommended for individuals who suffer from any of the following conditions:
- Active bacterial or fungal infection, including acne and cold sores
- Cardiac abnormalities
- Collagen vascular diseases
- Hemorrhagic disorders
- Hemostatic dysfunction
- Keloid scars
- Scleroderma
For individuals who are dealing with any of these issues, microneedling alternatives are available. At the CENTER for Advanced Facial Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills, we are happy to teach you about a variety of treatment options to help you improve your facial appearance.
What areas of the body can I treat?
The microneedling pen has variable needle depth that allows for versatility and therefore it can be used on many parts of the body. The face and neck are the most commonly treated areas; however, we can also treat the décolleté, arms and hands.
What does it feel like?
The RejuvaPen allows for individualized microneedling settings, determined by your provider, which makes the treatment very comfortable for most patients. We also use a topical numbing cream, which is applied 30 minutes before your microneedling treatment in Beverly Hills, so most patients do not feel anything during the treatment.
How much time is necessary to perform the procedure?
The length of a microneedling treatment varies based on the patient’s treatment area and skin condition. On average, a microneedling procedure can be completed in about 30 minutes. Your entire appointment in our office will be about an hour and a half, including time for numbing and blood draw.
How much downtime should I expect?
Downtime varies based on a patient’s skin damage and other factors. Patients may experience minor skin inflammation after treatment; this generally disappears on its own within about two to four days of a procedure. Some patients may heal completely in 24 hours. When combined with PRP and microneedling, the patient’s healing time is greatly reduced, due to the amount of growth factors reintroduced into the dermis.
When should I expect to see full treatment results?
In many instances, patients enjoy healthier-looking skin immediately following microneedling treatment in Beverly Hills. Patients often notice smoother, brighter and more radiant skin in the days and weeks after a procedure. Note that the full effects of microneedling usually do not become visible until several months later.
To ensure optimal treatment results, it is essential for a patient to develop and follow a personalized maintenance plan. The CENTER for Advanced Facial Plastic Surgery in Los Angeles works with patients to create custom maintenance plans designed to help these individuals enjoy beautiful skin for an extended period of time.
How many treatments will I need to get the best possible results?
Ultimately, the number of treatments that a person requires will depend on his or her individual response and progress. Most patients undergo microneedle in Beverly Hills every four to six weeks until they achieve their desired results. Patients who are dealing with deep wrinkles, stretch marks and other severe skin concerns may receive more frequent treatments at four- to six-week intervals.
Patients often start to see the benefits of their microneedling treatment after their first treatment. Upon reaching a treatment goal, we recommend at least two annual procedures as well.
Can I get a Rejuvapen treatment if I'm pregnant?
No. Microneedles produces micro-injuries and are not recommended for pregnant women. Following a microneedling procedure, the skin will start to create new collagen and heal on its own. This process requires the body to use many vitamins and nutrients that otherwise support the growth and development of an unborn child.
How soon can I start wearing makeup after a procedure?
Most patients will be able to return to their everyday makeup routine within a few days of microneedling. Oxygenetix is safe to use following a procedure, and some makeup may be applied immediately after treatment.
How soon can I resume my normal skin care regimen?
We recommend waiting until your skin has completely healed, at least three days, to use any retinols, Retin-A, vitamin C, bleaching creams or any products that can be irritating to your skin. You may use a mild face wash; we recommend waiting at least five hours after your microneedling treatment. You will also be given an epidermal repair cream to use throughout your healing process.
Comprehensive Microneedling Consultation Process
Microneedling offers many benefits. To determine if you are a good candidate, Dr. Azizzadeh uses a comprehensive microneedling consultation process to determine if a patient is eligible for treatment.
During a microneedling consultation, Dr. Azizzadeh performs a patient evaluation. He reviews a patient’s medical history and learns about this individual’s treatment goals. Dr. Azizzadeh also identifies any potential risk factors that may disqualify this individual from microneedling.
If Dr. Azizzadeh believes a patient is a good candidate for microneedling, he crafts a custom treatment program for this individual. Or, if Dr. Azizzadeh believes microneedling is too risky for a patient, he offers alternative treatments.
Post-Microneedling Information
The microneedling recovery period is limited, and the side effects of microneedling are minimal. However, patients sometimes experience one or more of the following side effects after a microneedling procedure:
- Bleeding
- Bruising
- Infection
- Peeling
- Skin irritation and/or redness
We generally recommend patients take the rest of the day off of work or activities as a layer of PRP is left on the skin for maximum results.
A patient’s skin is generally more sensitive in the initial days following a microneedling treatment. Therefore, if a patient plans to spend extended time outdoors after a microneedling procedure, he or she may need to apply sunscreen more frequently to protect the skin.
Oftentimes, patients require multiple treatments to optimize their microneedling treatment results. Since each microneedling treatment program is tailored to a patient, the number of microneedling sessions required varies based on the individual.