SkinPen Microneedling: Rejuvenate Your Skin

If you are tired of looking in the mirror and noticing fine lines and acne scars and all-too visible pores, SkinPen® treatments might be a good option. Let’s take a look at this quick, minimally-invasive procedure and some SkinPen® benefits.

What Is SkinPen®?

Many of our patients ask if SkinPen® is the same as microneedling? The short answer is yes. SkinPen® treatments are a type of collagen induction therapy, and while there are other types of microneedling procedures, SkinPen® microneedling is the only FDA-cleared microneedling device. The device uses a tiny needle to safely and effectively puncture the skin thousands of times, which creates small micro-injuries on the surface of the skin.

These minuscule injuries stimulate the skin’s natural healing ability and boost collagen and elastin production. Collagen and elastin are proteins that provide structure for our skin. As we age, we produce less and less of these proteins, and this can cause fine lines and wrinkles to appear. By stimulating collagen growth, we can essentially turn back the clock a bit and help our patients enjoy a more youthful glow.

Additionally, we add Platelet-Rich Plasma, known as PRP, to each SkinPen treatment. We draw a small amount of your blood and place in a sterile vial which is placed in a centrifuge to separate the plasma which is then added back to your skin using the SkinPen microneedling device. The plasma boosts the effects of the procedure, speeding up the healing process and accelerating collagen growth.

SkinPen® Treats Many Issues

While a SkinPen® microneedling treatment can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, those aren’t the only issues we can address with this procedure. SkinPen can be an excellent option for our patients that wish to reduce the appearance of facial acne scars and other small scars. SkinPen® also can be an effective treatment for some age spots and can improve an uneven skin tone. We also often use SkinPen® to reduce pore size.

SkinPen® microneedling can be applied on your face, neck and the neckline or decolletage area. It is safe for all skin types and skin tones, and it’s a quick procedure that requires no downtime.

SkinPen® is safe for most people, but it is not recommended for people that are pregnant or nursing or people with active skin cancer or an active acne breakout, sores or irritated skin. It also probably is not a good option for our patients that have a bleeding disorder or those who are taking drugs such as Accutane. It is important to inform your provider about any medications and supplements you take as well as any medical conditions you have so that we can determine if SkinPen® or another treatment is the right fit for your needs.

Does SkinPen® Hurt?

While we are puncturing the skin over and over with a SkinPen® treatment, patients are typically surprised to find that the procedure is relatively pain-free. We do apply a topical anesthetic/numbing cream before the procedure, and most of our patients report very little discomfort. Of course, everyone’s sensitivity is unique, so some patients might find SkinPen® microneedling to be more uncomfortable than others.

After we complete the procedure, you may notice some redness on the area treated, and possibly a bit of skin irritation, but these usually resolve within a few hours to a few days. Some patients tell us it feels a bit like a mild sunburn for a day or two.

We do recommend that you apply sunscreen or a moisturizer with sunscreen as your skin will be more sensitive to the effects of sunlight for the first week or so after the procedure.

Of course, we typically recommend that all of our patients use a daily moisturizer with broad-spectrum SPF coverage. Not only does SPF coverage help protect you against skin cancer, but moisturizers with sunscreen also can keep your skin hydrated and slow down the aging process as sun damage can accelerate the formation of fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots.

How Long Do SkinPen® Results Last?

It will take about a month for most patients to achieve full results, although some patients report improvements in just a few days or a couple of weeks. The results are not permanent, and you will need follow-up treatments to continue to enjoy the desired results.

How often will you need treatment? That depends upon a variety of factors, but typically our patients will undergo two to three treatments per year. Younger skin tends to be able to hold on to results a bit longer, simply because younger patients tend to have higher collagen and elastin production.

To maximize results, we recommend staying hydrated and using facial products with SPF protection. Moisturize your skin daily and eat a healthy balanced diet. Avoid peak sun hours or wear a hat and UV-protective clothing if you are out in the sun.

Other Options For Skin Rejuvenation

While SkinPen microneedling can be a great option for many of our patients, it’s by no means the only facial rejuvenation treatment that we provide. We also offer services such as dermaplaning, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, microblading, skin resurfacing with Intense Pulse Light and several types of facials. We also offer a full selection of Zo Obagi skin care products.

Additionally, we have several non-surgical, minimally-invasive procedures such as Botox, micro Botox, Juvéderm, lip fillers and others that can help you look and feel your best. If you are interested in SkinPen® or any of our medical spa, non-surgical or surgical procedures, don’t hesitate to contact us for a consultation or to book an appointment.