Aging eventually comes for us all. Over the years, our bodies make less and less collagen and elastin, the proteins that contribute to smoother, more youthful-looking skin. You’ll be happy to know, though, that there’s a wonderful non-surgical beauty treatment that offers the combined benefits of two different procedures, each great for rejuvenating skin on their own. That treatment is microneedling with PRP.
Stimulating the body to generate more collagen and elastin or to speed up its own healing process is a primary goal in aesthetic medicine, and microneedling with PRP leads to rejuvenated skin that’s a reflection of the regeneration taking place on the inside. Microneedling alone can improve skin texture, make lines finer, and dark spots less noticeable; PRP can help supercharge those results.
WHAT IS MICRONEEDLING?
Microneedling is also called collagen induction therapy because the treatment is intended to allow the controlled stimulation of the skin’s self-repair mechanism. During the procedure, the aesthetician uses a device to create small micro-punctures in the skin. These micro “injuries” prompt the body to respond by regenerating and repairing itself. The punctures cause an inflammatory reaction as well as the release of growth factors. These, in turn, encourage the multiplication of fibroblasts and the creation of new collagen and elastin in the dermis. Collagen makes skin more even in tone and texture as well as firmer and more elastic, which is the objective of microneedling.
The two most common types of devices that dermatologists use are dermarollers and microneedling pens. Dermarollers have small wheels, or rollers, with hundreds of tiny needles. Microneedling pens consist of vertically positioned microneedles moved by a small motor so that they penetrate the skin. Pens have the advantage of providing the practitioner with options for controlling things like speed, needle size, and depth of penetration. This makes the treatment more customizable depending on the patient’s skin type and the problem or condition to be treated.
WHAT IS PRP?
PRP, short for Platelet Rich Plasma, is a biologically compatible product that dermatologists obtain by centrifuging a patient’s own blood. Centrifuging separates the blood into different components, and lets the practitioner obtain plasma with three to seven times the platelet concentration of regular blood. Platelets contain an abundance of growth factors. Growth factors promote cell division and stimulate the repair response that promotes the production of elastin and collagen. Good skin with more collagen looks luminous and has greater vitality, firmness, and elasticity.
DOES MICRONEEDLING WITH PRP WORK?
By combining PRP with collagen induction therapy, estheticians augment the benefits that either procedure could provide on its own. The aesthetician will microneedle the targeted area, then apply a topical layer of PRP. As the roller or pen’s needles pierce the skin, they not only stimulate the dermis’s repair mechanisms but they also open microchannels. These let any active ingredient applied after microneedling penetrate the skin more effectively, giving it access to deeper skin levels. The degree of absorption is sometimes improved by as much as 90%. In this way, PRP and microneedling work together to trigger collagen synthesis. The goal being to boost it as much as possible, preferably to levels that mimic those of youthful skin so that rejuvenation can happen even faster.
WHAT SKIN ISSUES IS MICRONEEDLING WITH PRP INDICATED FOR?
Microneedling with PRP is indicated for treating wrinkles and lines or preventing their appearance; acne scars; hyperpigmentation and skin blemishes.
Also, microneedling with PRP is indicated for:
- Improving skin elasticity and texture
- Treating sun damage such as sun spots
- Improving the appearance of large pores
- Reducing the appearance of dark circles and puffiness around the eyes
- Evening out skin tone
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF MICRONEEDLING WITH PRP?
The procedure’s advantages include the following:
- It’s minimally invasive with little downtime.
- For some time after treatment, the stimulation of new collagen continues to take place.
- There’s no chance of an allergic reaction to artificial ingredients because the patient’s own blood is used.
- It can treat a variety of skin concerns.
- It can be applied not only on the face but also on the neck and decolletage where the skin is finer and more delicate.
AFTERCARE FOR MICRONEEDLING WITH PRP
The treatment can cause slight swelling or reddening of the skin, symptoms that will improve within a few days. After the procedure, a practitioner will normally indicate keeping the treated area clean and avoiding sun exposure for two or three days. If a patient must go out in the sun, an SPF of 50+ is highly recommended. Patients should also minimize the use of topically applied skin care products to avoid irritation. It’s also a good idea to skip anything that might cause a lot of sweating, such as a sauna or a gym session.
IS MICRONEEDLING WITH PRP WORTH IT?
At this point, you’re likely asking yourself, does it hurt? Although needles are used, microneedling is thought of as a non-invasive technique and relatively painless; on a scale of one to ten, it’s considered about a two. The doctor will apply a numbing cream and then repeatedly pass the microneedling device over the area of the face, neck, or decolletage that’s being treated. The speed at which the microneedles move makes pain practically imperceptible, and the procedure is almost a massage for skin. In return, the benefits are multiple. Microneedling with PRP improves luminosity, texture, wrinkles, and blemishes. Both of these treatments have been clinically studied and have been shown to be safe and effective when performed by trained personnel.
If you type “microneedling with prp near me” into a search engine, you’ll likely be shown results with names and addresses of local doctors, spas, and aesthetic medicine centers offering this treatment in your area. Be sure to look up microneedling with prp reviews to find those practitioners that are top-rated, and remember that this type of procedure can only be carried out by someone with the proper training. Beauty matters, but a person’s health and safety matter more. But once you’ve found a reputable doctor, you’ll find your new glowing, dewy skin to definitely be worth it.