Microneedling in Tampa

Microneedling is a gentle, non-invasive cosmetic procedure that treats facial wrinkles, scars, and stretch marks left behind by acne or wounds. Also known as transcutaneous collagen induction therapy, microneedling provides an increase in collagen and helps patients enjoy smoother and more youthful skin.

How does Microneedling work?

Microneedling involves the use of a handheld device equipped with fine medical-grade needles. As the device is gently passed over the skin, every needle pricks the skin to create microchannels that will not go deeper than 0.5-2 mm. 
The skin perceives the microneedling effect as skin injury and boosts collagen production to activate the body's healing mechanism. The result of an increase in collagen level is brighter and smoother skin with an improved aspect of acne scars and other types of facial scars. 

Is Microneedling safe?

The technique of microneedling is safe for all skin types, including darker skin types. Unlike laser treatment, microneedling doesn't need to heat the skin, which means the patient is not exposed to the risk of post-treatment hyperpigmentation. Thus, the procedure can be safely used by people of nearly any ethnicity and age who aim to treat their facial scars and improve skin texture.

 
Patients undergoing microneedling usually feel a tickling of the skin and delicate poking. Individuals with more sensitive skin may associate the sensation with mild sandpaper being rubbed onto the skin. However, most medical offices providing microneedling use a numbing cream to reduce the discomfort to a minimum.

What are the risks of Microneedling?

Microneedling is safe and effective for patients in good health. Since the technique can be used on even the most delicate areas of the skin, the risks are minimal. However, some people have reported side effects such as skin irritation, swelling, redness, dry skin, discomfort at the site, and flaking of the skin.

Microneedling is not recommended for patients suffering from an active skin infection, active acne, and unstable skin type. 

What to expect after the procedure?

The skin care procedure requires minimal downtime. Patients can usually expect redness and minor swelling for a day or two after the treatment. Some individuals have reported a sensation of skin tightening or peeling but never intense enough to cause pain. Patients can experience a noticeable improvement of the skin immediately after the treatment. However, the full effects of the procedure will be visible in a few months.

As the collagen is deposited in the skin, long-term effects take the form of improved skin texture, smoothed fine lines and wrinkles, and reduced scars. In most cases, a single microneedling procedure is not enough to obtain the desired results. Depending on the patient's skin type and condition, the health care professional can recommend 3 to 6 microneedling sessions. The procedure can be repeated every 2 to 4 weeks.