The Science Behind Skin Needling: How Microneedles Stimulate Collagen Production
There’s a reason that microneedling has fast become one of the leading anti-ageing treatments on the market. It’s an effective treatment that actually works with the body’s natural wound-healing response to stimulate skin rejuvenation, improve skin texture and skin tone, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and create younger-looking skin.
While there are home-based derma rollers you could use to achieve smoother-looking skin, microneedling is best performed by professionals such as Allure Laser and Skin Studio in Mackay. With an expert team of trusted medical cosmetic professionals, you’re going to enjoy the many benefits of this particular cosmetic treatment. Here’s what you need to know.
What is Skin Needling and Microneedling?
Microneedling is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure whereby a professional uses a microneedling device – or derma roller – consisting of microscopic needles between 0.15mm to 2mm long. These needles are then rolled over your skin where they create tiny punctures in the dermis and epidermis to stimulate your body’s natural healing response which includes collagen and elastin production.
What makes skin needling different from other age-defying technologies is that you don’t have any injections, incisions, or stitches. It is effectively derived from ancient acupuncture techniques using medical-grade, stainless steel needles. As they penetrate your skin, they cause a microscopic trauma deep in the skin’s matrix that causes the skin to react, sending tiny electrical signals that start a wound-healing response.
Microneedling will target and penetrate specific layers of skin allowing them to treat everything from scar tissue and acne scars to visible blood vessels. Because of the specificity of the treatment, you will experience less downtime and discomfort, with the results almost immediately evident. Remember that, for the best results, you will need multiple sessions as collagen production can take time. This does, however, depend on your particular skin type, skin condition, and your personal aesthetic goals.
What Skin Conditions Can Microneedling Treat?
Microneedling is not just an anti-ageing cosmetic procedure, it’s also used to treat a number of skin conditions that might be causing you unnecessary anguish or embarrassment. If you’re suffering from any of the following conditions, you might want to consider skin needling as a treatment.
- Acne, pimples, and blackheads can be addressed with skin needling
- Wrinkles and fine lines are reduced with skin needling
- Acne scars, surgical scars, and other scar tissue can be treated
- Stretch marks and cellulite can be treated
- Enlarged pores can be reduced
- Uneven skin texture can be addressed
- Hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone can be helped
- Skin laxity can be reduced
What is Microneedling and Collagen Induction Therapy?
To give you a look behind the science of microneedling you need to understand collagen induction therapy – which is essentially the basis of microneedling. Collagen induction therapy is when a device is used to create controlled micro-injuries on the skin’s surface. In the case of microneedling, this is achieved with the fine needles on a derma roller, but it’s also achieved with acupuncture needles.
The micro-injuries on the skin’s surface trigger a cascade of cellular processes, including the release of growth factors and cytokines. This initiates the body’s wound-healing mechanism leading to increased blood flow, cell turnover, and the production of new collagen and elastin fibres.
In addition to healing the skin, collagen and elastin rejuvenates the skin as they are responsible for maintaining that healthy, youthful glow. Both collagen and elastin are proteins that provide structural support to the skin, helping it maintain its firmness and elasticity. The newly formed collagen helps plump and tighten the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, scars, and other textural irregularities.
The Healing Process and Growth Factors
Once the microneedling has been completed, the healing process begins which is where the growth factors come into play. Theirs is a critical role in regulating and coordinating the healing process. This includes:
- Epidermal Growth Factor: This stimulates cell growth and division which encourages the regeneration of the epidermis.
- Transforming Growth Factor-Beta: This is a key regulator of wound healing and tissue repair as it stimulates the production of collagen, controls inflammation, and encourages the deposition of extracellular matrix components.
- Platelet-Derived Growth Factor: This promotes the growth and division of cells for wound healing, including fibroblasts and endothelial cells while forming new blood vessels for tissue repair.
- Fibroblast Growth Factor: This stimulates fibroblast activity which is crucial for collagen and extracellular matrix production, promoting cell migration and tissue regeneration.
Through microneedling, these growth factors prompt the healing response that leads to more collagen production, improved skin texture, and a more youthful appearance. The healing response includes a number of steps, among them:
- The Inflammatory Phase: The inflammatory reaction includes redness, swelling, and sensitivity which triggers the release of growth factors and cytokines.
- The Proliferative Phase: This is where all the abovementioned growth factors are released, stimulating cell migration, cell division, and collagen production. Fibroblasts migrate and start creating new collagen and elastin fibres.
- The Remodelling Phase: New collagen and elastin fibres mature, align, and strengthen over the next few months, reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and scars.
What are the Benefits of Microneedling?
There are several benefits of microneedling and many reasons why it’s chosen over other cosmetic procedures. These include:
- Improved skin texture and tone which is particularly great for people who have rough skin or suffer from hyperpigmentation.
- The reduction of fine lines and wrinkles through increased collagen production which plumps up and hydrates your skin.
- The reduction in the appearance of scars including acne scars, surgical scars, and stretch marks. This is done by filling in depressed scars to improve skin texture.
- A reduction in pore size through tightening of the skin which results in a much more youthful, even skin.
- Better absorption of your skincare products through the micro-channels created by microneedling. This improves the results of your skincare products.
- More natural-looking results than certain surgical procedures because microneedling improves skin quality by simulating the natural wound-healing response.
- There’s usually only a bit of redness and swelling after the treatment but there is generally minimal downtime.
- The results of microneedling are long-lasting with the collagen production lasting for several months to a year.
Using Professionals for Microneedling
Microneedling is a prominent cosmetic procedure because of the long-lasting, natural-looking results which are backed by science. With the body stimulated to heal itself, there’s no need for incisions and stitches, so you’re enjoying decreased downtime.
However, as with all cosmetic procedures, it’s best to consult with industry professionals for the best results according to the safest industry practices. Allure Laser and Skin Studio in Mackay prioritises client safety with every treatment – among them Medical Skin Needling.
This reputable medical cosmetic clinic with exceptional standards delivers each Medical Skin Needling treatment with the utmost professional care, overseen by a doctor on site. Each member proudly possesses the highest level of experience, skills, and training to ensure all clients receive the safest techniques and advice.
Book a consultation with Allure Laser and Skin Studio for a bespoke treatment that will address your skincare concerns quickly and effectively!