If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll know that now I’m just too happy to experiment with new innovations in the beauty arena. Yes, we are talking about lifts, lasers, under-eye fillers, lip fillers, “liquid faces”… the list goes on. Now, before you start thinking this is too much for one person, I didn’t really start this journey of experimentation until I was 30 and now I’m 41 so all means This treatment has gained popularity over the past decade. I’m also a huge advocate for at-home beauty and skin care tools like microcurrent to maintain optimal skin health — these are the hard-working products I’m committed to! Any dermatologist or esthetician will tell you how important it is for your skin to look its best. prior to you get professional treatment, especially when you’re considering different lasers, PDO thread lifters, or one of my new favorites, micro with PRP.
Now, I’ve tried microneedling before (and loved it) and have also experienced PRP as a Clear & Brilliant laser serum remedy, but I haven’t tried combining microneedling with PRP injections before. After learning that my favorite skin type, Dr. Nancy Samolitis – board-certified dermatologist and owner/co-founder of Facile Dermatology + Boutique – was now providing the treatment, I knew I had to give it a try and I wasn’t disappointed. . Honestly, I can say microneedling with prp is a complete transformation in skin texture, tone and vibrancy.
If you’re thinking about treatments, I hit Dr. Samolitis to ask her all the frequently asked questions so you can make an informed decision but trust me on this one, it’s Totally worth it! Keep reading to learn more about what’s micro-provided with PRP, the benefits, who should get it and more.
Featured image by Jenna Peffley for Bed Threads.
Above you will find a picture of my skin right after the prp microbiology, and then a picture of my skin about 10 days after the treatment.
What exactly is microneedling?
Microneedling (MN) is the use of a device with many fine needles to make multiple punctures in the skin. This process allows enhanced penetration of topical medications and triggers new collagen production through wound healing. It’s actually been more than 100 years when needle rollers were first used to treat acne scars, but techniques and equipment have evolved rapidly since the 1990s when the first commercial MN roller was introduced. . Over the past few years as the popularity of MNs as a medical procedure has really exploded, the FDA has now approved only a handful of devices as safe for use in a medical setting. These devices are small hand tools with an oscillating needle with a pointed tip that is inserted directly into the skin. They have safety caps and sterile, disposable needle tips to prevent the spread of infection.
What are the benefits of microneedling?
Basically, the aim is to create small wounds in the skin, creating an environment where the cells are activated to go into repair mode, thereby removing the damaged tissue and replacing it. with new, healthy skin cells and the growth of new collagen. This is most beneficial in improving skin quality and texture by tightening and plumping the dermis tissue.
How effective is Microneedle / PRP in treating acne and acne scars?
Microneedling has truly become the gold standard in the treatment of acne scars because of its effectiveness, relative painlessness, quick recovery, and safety for all skin types. Traditionally, laser resurfacing has been used to treat acne scars, and when you try to achieve the same wound depth with laser (heat), you create a lot of pain, swelling, and time. more recovery. In my experience, patients are more likely to choose a microneedling treatment because with either type of treatment, several sessions are often required for optimal results.
Is it effective for hyperpigmentation and melasma?
Microneedling may be effective for hyperpigmentation and melasma, but not by itself. It does not inherently improve skin pigmentation, but can be used to provide topical skin lightening medication. When the medication (at my office we use topical tranexamic acid) is applied during microdermabrasion, we’re essentially getting it into the dermis, where some of the more stubborn pigment is. Unlike some lasers, microneedling is less likely to cause post-inflammatory pigmentation or worsen melasma but should be used in conjunction with home skin care to prevent excess pigmentation from forming.
What about hair growth?
Microneedling alone is not generally used for hair growth although there are some anecdotal reports showing some effectiveness (which means there are no large studies). As described with melasma, microneedling can be used regularly to help promote the application of a topical hair growth product such as minoxidil (Rogaine) or PRP. Because microdermabrasion in the scalp can be messy and painful, we usually only use PRP injections that have been shown to be effective in larger studies.
What skin types/concerns are suitable for microneedling?
Almost anyone is a good candidate for the treatment of MN. It is very safe, can be used as gently or vigorously as needed and is relatively less painful, and has an easier, faster recovery time than most lasers or other treatments. Other skin resurfacing treatments. I have used microneedling to treat acne scars for a 12 year old patient and wrinkles for an 85 year old patient.
Who shouldn’t take it?
Persons with inflammatory, active acne or other active skin diseases in the treatment area are not candidates until the condition is controlled with medical therapy. A person with severe hyperpigmentation would also not be a candidate. Because there is some risk that micro-pigmentation can worsen pigmentation and some people create excess pigmentation very easily, it is not worth the risk that there are other, safer and more effective therapies available. for pigment alone.
What is PRP?
PRP is “platelet-rich plasma” extracted from blood. Blood is drawn in the office in a special tube that is rotated in a centrifuge to separate blood particles. PRP is drawn in the syringe to apply to the skin treatment. Platelets are cells that concentrate in solution and when there is trauma to the skin (by injection or by micro-implantation, laser, etc.), the platelets are activated and release growth factors that support Supports the healing process that leads to new tissue growth whether it’s new collagen or stimulating hair that’s been stunted by hormones, stress or inflammation.
Why is it often paired with micro-needle?
Because micro-resurfacing is a safe and effective type of resurfacing, PRP is often used in conjunction with it, but it can be used in conjunction with any type of resurfacing that produces minor injuries. on the skin.
What is the benefit of pairing PRP with microneedle?
As mentioned above, microneedling both induces trauma that triggers the release of growth factors from platelets in PRP and helps promote topical application of the product. Adding the application of PRP to the microneedling treatment will boost collagen production and accelerate the healing process.
What is the difference between applying PRP topically during microneedling versus injecting it?
We can apply PRP a little deeper and apply a larger amount of PRP to the injection focus area. For example, I will usually inject PRP for deeper acne scars. The needle and fluid separation of the constrained scar tissue create a lesion under the acne scar to help lift it. This is a technique known as circumcision and was once used alone to treat acne scars, but has been shown in cleft lip studies to be more effective when combined with PRP injections.
Can you outline your micro/PRP process and why do you do both?
- Patients come to the office, apply numbing cream to the treatment area, draw blood and process PRP.
- Cleansing the skin with an antiseptic technique, injecting PRP into all areas where we want to focus more collagen production – including acne scars, skin around the eyes, wrinkles, etc.
- Microneedling is then performed over the entire treatment area (usually the face, neck, and chest) with a topical application of PRP.
- Medicated cream has been applied and aftercare instructions given.
- For aftercare, we recommend gentle cleansing and moisturizing that does not contain active ingredients and only mineral sunscreens and sun protection for at least three days until the skin is back to normal.
With that in mind, how should you prepare your skin for microneedling/PRP skin care, if any?
No specific preparation is needed unless you have hyperpigmentation or melasma, in which case we usually prescribe a skin lightening treatment to be used before and after the treatment session.
What is downtime?
Most people experience redness and sensitivity that feels like a sunburn for the first day or two. There may be some mild peeling or flaking and the redness may last up to three to four days. Some people may experience some bruising especially in areas where we treat more aggressively (on scars) or on delicate areas such as under the eyes, upper lip and bridge of the nose.
How should you take care of your skin after treatment?
Only gentle skin care products are recommended. We recommend Facile Core Four products, or skin protection creams like La Roche Posay Cicaplast for better moisturizing.
When can you see results?
Most people notice smoother, softer skin after about two weeks, but full results can take up to six months and require a series of at least four treatments.
How many treatments should you have?
At least four, but more severe scarring or wrinkles may require more. There’s no limit to the number of treatments you can have, and I always recommend quarterly treatments for long-term anti-aging skin maintenance.
How much does it cost?
Costs will vary greatly depending on geographic location. We charge $475 for microneedling alone and $1500 for microneedling + PRP. We also have an all-inclusive discount for a series of four sessions to encourage patients to take enough treatments to reach their goals.
What is the difference between an in-office and at-home microneedling procedure?
My concern with home microneedling devices is that the needles will often fade after one treatment, so reusing them can cause more discomfort, uneven tears in the skin rather than a clean, sterile wound. infections, are less effective and can spread infections if they are not properly disinfected. There is no FDA regulation or approval for home microneedling devices. Some home devices come with serums to be used in combination with microneedling, or some people can use their own skin care products in combination with home microneedling. I do not recommend this as most skin care ingredients/serums are not intended for application into the deeper layers of the skin and it is possible to cause an allergic reaction when used this way. There are several case reports published in the medical literature about this happening.
