Everyone is focused on reducing the look of their under-eye bags and wrinkle-prone areas. While facial injections are still the method of choice, they can be cost-prohibitive and inconvenient.
A good alternative is to try micro-needling at home. Microneedling at home provides the same benefits with a much more reasonable price tag. Keep reading to learn how to maximize micro-needling results.
1. Understand Your Microneedling Goals
This is one of the most important steps to maximize the results you can expect from micro-needling treatment. Knowing your goal can help you plan out the best course of action before you begin the treatment.
The most common goals for micro-needling include improving skin’s appearance, softening wrinkles, improving skin tone and texture, enhancing absorption of topical products, and even reducing the appearance of scars and pigmentation.
Depending on the severity of your problem, different approaches may be needed, such as varying the depth of the needles and multiple sessions. Understanding the results that you hope to achieve, as well as what technique and equipment to utilize, will help you decide the best plan of action for your appointment.
2. Clearing Acne and Scarring
Be sure to always go to a qualified doctor for treatment so that risks are minimized. Cleansing the skin pre-treatment is key as this will improve the absorption of the serum and maximize the results. Always use a clean, sterile device to ensure no bacteria transmit. Apply a serum or cream with an anti-inflammatory ingredient such as hyaluronic acid to soothe and calm skin after treatment.
Maintain the results by using a gentle routine of at-home care and professional treatments every 3 to 4 weeks. Remember to use SPF daily to protect your skin from sun damage.
3. Optimizing Frequency and Depth
Maximizing your micro-needling results requires optimizing the frequency and depth of the treatment. The best frequency for micro-needling is four to six weeks between treatments, as this gives enough time for the skin to go through its period of normal healing and inflammation.
The depth of the treatment should be low, typically between 0.5 and 1 millimeter, for optimal safety and results. Using a device with adjustable needles can help control the depth of each treatment.
With most devices, there is an appropriate depth point that should not be exceeded to ensure safety and optimal results. In order to get the most out of micro-needling, the frequency and depth should be optimized and maintained over the course of the treatment.
4. Choosing the Right Dermaroller
When it comes to maximizing micro-needling results, choosing the right derma roller is key. A derma roller is a hand-held device that is rolled across the surface of the skin to create a series of very fine injections or micro-injuries.
This serves to stimulate collagen production and can help minimize fine lines, wrinkles, and acne scars. In order to ensure optimal results, it is important to ensure that the derma roller has needles that are of a suitable size, with longer needles offering deeper penetration and more intense stimulation of collagen production.
When choosing a derma roller, it is important to ensure that it is of appropriate quality and manufactured from medical-grade stainless steel. Too short of needles can cause inadequate stimulation, and too long of needles can cause too much irritation or inflammation of the skin.
There are also varying levels of needle thickness that should be considered for different skin types. Additionally, it is important to clean the derma roller after use to prevent the proliferation of bacteria on the needles.
5. Consider Adding Treatments to Enhance Results
Maximizing your micro-needling results can be achieved by adding treatments to enhance the results. It is important to use products that work best with micro-needling and to talk to a professional about what treatments will best enhance the results for individual needs.
For example, lactic acid and vitamin C serums can be applied after the treatment to help with collagen production and to soothe and treat the newly formed channels. Additionally, professional products such as hyaluronic acid and growth factors can help to lock in hydration, improve skin tone and help to reduce wrinkles.
Consider adding a facial massage or lymphatic drainage, which can help reduce swelling and redness post-treatment. Finally, talking to a professional about taking antioxidant supplements such as vitamin C and E can help with anti-aging and skin cell repair.
6. Apply Topical Serums & Sunscreen After Treatment
Applying sunscreen and topical serums after micro-needling is one of the top seven ways to maximize the results of your treatment. The serum should be rich in hyaluronic acid, as this helps nurture and protect newly treated skin. The ingredients will also depend on the type of skin you have. Sunscreen is of equal importance as it helps protect newly treated skin from further damage from UV rays.
Use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, and frequently apply, especially if you plan to be outdoors. Other critical steps to maximize micro-needling results include using a proper micro-needling device, consulting with a doctor before treatment, and using specific products in your pre and post-treatment regime. All these practices ensure that you maximize the efficacy of your micro-needling treatment each and every time.
7. Understanding Recovery and Aftercare
Microneedling is becoming increasingly popular in the skincare field, and as such, it’s important to understand how to maximize results through proper recovery and micro-needling aftercare. Apply a hydrating moisturizer immediately after the procedure. Follow instructions for applying topical treatments to maximize healing and reduce inflammation.
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen of UVA/UVB 30 SPF or higher to protect the skin from sun damage. Fourth, use a gentle cleanser to cleanse the skin and avoid any physical exfoliation. Refrain from over-covering skin with makeup and try to use mineral-based products. Stay hydrated and eat healthy to optimize healing.
Read more about microneedling benefits to help you before you start the treatment.
Learn How to Maximize Micro-Needling Results
By following the steps outlined in this article, you can maximize micro-needling results. Make sure to use quality products and clean tools, and consult with a physician before beginning a micro-needling routine. Don’t forget to moisturize your skin after treatment and be sure to be sun safe.
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