Microneedling (Collagen Induction Therapy)

What is Microneedling?

Introduction to Microneedling Treatments

Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, is one of our most popular treatments. This procedure, approved by the FDA, stimulates your body's collagen by creating micro-injuries to the skin via multiple very fine vertical needles. As a result of this treatment, you’ll experience greater collagen production, minimized appearance of pores, improved skin texture, and overall skin rejuvenation. This treatment can address various skin concerns, such as acne scars, surgical scars, and facial wrinkles.

As a minimally invasive procedure, microneedling treatment creates controlled “micro-injuries” to trigger the skin's self-repair process. Each injury establishes a channel for new elastin and collagen to enter the microscopic wound. Patients at VIVAA experience no discomfort with this treatment, as we use high-quality grade numbing cream to ensure our clients have a relaxing procedure.

What Is Microneedling Like?

Imagine a roller with many tiny needles attached. Aestheticians use this electrically powered, handheld device by pushing or rolling it over your face and neck area to create microscopically controlled punctures in the skin, forcing it into its repair mode. Although many people have a fear of needles, this technique is not painful. Doctors usually apply a topical anesthetic beforehand to numb the treatment area. Depending on the device used, the microneedle length can vary from 0.5 to 3.0 mm, which is incredibly tiny compared to a traditional needle. Also called percutaneous collagen induction therapy, microneedling makes tiny holes that create inflammation and help stimulate the skin to repair itself through a process called dermal remodeling.

Benefits of Microneedling

When your skin's healing process receives a boost, it supercharges your body's natural ability to produce collagen and elastin, which provides firm plumpness. This reduces the appearance of scars and stretch marks and creates a more youthful skin tone. The microneedling procedure boosts collagen production and creates tiny channels through the needle punctures, allowing skin care products to travel more efficiently to the top layer of skin and beyond. Collagen and elastin keep your skin smooth, giving you a more youthful appearance. Microneedling punctures can help improve skin texture and appearance, helping to reduce the look of acne scarring and other skin conditions. It is suitable for all skin types and tones.

Microneedling comes with some substantial, scientifically proven benefits. These include:

• Reducing the appearance of facial wrinkles and signs of aging skin
• Improving the appearance of acne, surgical or trauma-induced scar tissue
• Flattens and smooths stretch marks to minimize their appearance
• Minimizes the appearance of enlarged pores
• Improves overall skin texture and elasticity
• Can improve skin laxity and provide a more youthful appearance
• Safe for all skin colors and types

Reducing Wrinkles and Fine Lines

A study published in 2017 followed 113 microneedling patients. Twelve months after treatment, the patients reported substantial improvements in skin smoothness and firmness. This research points to microneedling's role in long-term skin health.

Improving Skin Texture and Elasticity

Another study showed similar results in patients receiving six microneedling treatments at two-week intervals. Those with moderate signs of aging realized visible improvements in their skin's appearance, plus an underlying rejuvenation. Patients experienced a significant increase in the types of collagen and elastin produced to maintain skin structure and elasticity.

Diminishing the Appearance of Acne Scars

The battle against atrophic post-acne scars can seem endless, but PRP microneedling represents a viable strategy to reduce their prominence. Microneedling performs two vital functions. It breaks down old scar tissue to accelerate healing, prompting the skin to generate new cells.

How Microneedling Therapy Works

Over three to five treatments, spaced about a month apart, our staff will administer your personalized microneedling procedures. These treatments will gradually give you a rejuvenated, refreshed look.

Various factors, including lack of skin care, environment, sun damage and smoking, decrease collagen and elastin production over your life, resulting in thinner and dehydrated skin. This causes enlarged pores, fine lines, wrinkles and sagging. When you are younger, your skin naturally combats such damage by:

• Restoring deteriorated collagen
• Quicker regeneration and repair
• Absorption of skin cells that cannot be repaired

Microneedling awakens these mechanisms and prompts them to work by strengthening and reorganizing disrupted collagen through scarring, improving the skin's elasticity. The tiny channels microneedling creates allow your skin to absorb PRP and serums applied during treatment to penetrate the skin's structure and enhance results.

The Science Behind the Microneedling Procedure

The phases produced by microneedling are inflammation, proliferation and remodeling. Controlled micro injuries in the skin trigger the immune system to increase blood flow to create new tissue. In phase two, new granulation cells rebuild the micro-wound, while a new network of blood vessels and growth factors develops. Finally, remodeling occurs when new dermal tissues and blood vessels replace the wound.

Microneedling Combined with Other Cosmetic Treatments

Many patients combine microneedling with other cosmetic treatments, because the tiny hole it produces often makes other procedures more effective. Popular combinations include chemical peels, laser treatments, Botox and dermal fillers for a more comprehensive facial rejuvenation. However, possibly the most effective one may involve combining microneedling with PRP treatment.

How Platelet-Rich Plasma Augments Microneedling

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) uses your body's blood to promote tissue regeneration and improve skin texture. PRP releases growth factors to stimulate the body's natural healing response further, producing new healthy skin cells to replace scar tissue. Adding PRP to microneedling speeds healing and reduces post-procedure redness. It also releases growth factors to stimulate the body's natural healing response further, producing new healthy skin cells to replace scar tissue. A study comparing microneedling with PRP and Vitamin C indicated that PRP targets underlying facets of the skin, making it particularly effective for indented or atrophic scars.

The Microneedling With PRP Process

PRP uses your body's blood to promote tissue regeneration and improve skin texture. Microneedling with PRP begins with a simple, painless blood draw in our office. Our staff places your blood in a centrifuge for processing to separate it into concentrated platelets and red blood plasma cells. PRP does not use red blood cells, so those are discarded. What remains is concentrated-rich plasma or PRP. The solution contains hundreds of proteins called growth factors that can be used to treat your issue. As you will have a blood draw, make sure that you eat a good meal before your appointment.

Before the procedure, we will numb your skin to help with any discomfort or pain. Most microneedling procedures take 30 to 45 minutes. Once we have finished using the microneedling device, we massage the PRP solution into the treatment area. You may need multiple treatment sessions, spaced two to three weeks apart, to achieve optimal results.

Preparation and Aftercare

Avoid excessive sun exposure or tanning one week before treatment, as this can increase the risk of skin cancer. You should also avoid sun exposure during the recovery period. Discontinue using skincare products containing retinoids, glycolic acid and salicylic acid.

Once the procedure is finished, you will receive a serum or balm to help soothe any irritation. Unless an adverse reaction occurs, you can return home after your appointment. Microneedling with PRP has a quick healing process that requires minimal recovery time. Most side effects involve minor irritation and can be managed with topical anesthetics and gentle skincare products. However, following aftercare instructions is crucial to ensure proper healing and minimize the risk of complications.

Potential Side Effects and Risks

Microneedling is one of the safest aesthetic skin rejuvenation treatments and is appropriate for all skin types. Thanks to numbing cream applied before microneedling treatment, patients feel no discomfort during treatment and only feel the vibration from the microneedling device.

What to expect after a microneedling treatment:

• Mild swelling in the treatment area
• Redness
• Dryness
• Flakiness, as old skin sheds 2-3 days following treatment

Those with bleeding disorders or taking blood thinners have a higher risk of bleeding. Disclose this information before receiving treatment.

More serious side effects include:

• Infection
• Skin pigment changes
• Reactions to the topical anesthetic used during treatment

Who Should Not Get Microneedling

This procedure is contraindicated for the following:

• Active cold sores
• Active bacterial or fungal infections
• Keloid scarring
• Active acne
• Hepatitis C
• HIV
• Any type of blood cancer
• Skin cancer in the treatment area

In addition, if you have used Accutane in the preceding six months, have undergone radiation in the past year, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, you are not considered a candidate. If you add PRP to your cosmetic treatment, vascular disease and clotting problems are also contraindications. Discuss any concerns and your medical history with our staff before undergoing treatment.

Learn More About Microneedling Facial Rejuvenation

If you're curious about how this popular cosmetic procedure can address various skin conditions, the board-certified professionals at VIVAA are here to help. We will gladly outline how microneeding treatment with or without PRP stimulates collagen production and what potential risks you may face. Schedule your consultation by calling 425-250-9999 or completing our Request an Appointment form.

Patient Review
"Fantastic experience I had a wonderful experience at VIVAA's medical facililty; the staff were so Friendly, Knowledgeable and PROFESSIONAL!! The office is beautiful and I felt WELL taken care of. I have had IPL treatments in the past but this was EXCEPTIONAL! Thank you to Justine and Jordan; you were PHENOMENAL!! I will be telling my friends and family and SOCIAL MEDIA!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!"
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