There are many different controllable and uncontrollable factors when it comes to aging. As people age, they start to notice the looseness in their skin, droopiness of their face, and skin pigmentation as a result of sun damage. Personal habits and environmental elements subconsciously accelerate aging.
To reverse the effects and slow down the aging process, microneedling with PRP can be done to minimize the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and scarring. Read on to learn more about microneedling from Dr. Sajjadian, a triple-board-certified plastic surgeon.
What is Microneedling?
Microneedling is a treatment used to improve the quality of your skin by treating numerous skin conditions like fine lines, wrinkles, burns, enlarged pores, sun damage, uneven complexion, and acne scarring. Microneedling can be done on any patient regardless of the amount of melasma and hyperpigmentation. Microneedling does not deliver heat like lasers do, which makes this treatment universal for any skin color.
A disposable handpiece with small needles is used to create many microscopic holes in the dermis of your skin. This procedure gently punctures the skin to initiate your body’s natural wound-healing process to make more collagen and elastin. These two proteins work together to restore the youth of your skin. Collagen provides strength and structure to the skin, while elastin is responsible for skin flexibility and resilience. Pricking the skin triggers the body’s healing process by sending collagen and elastin to the site of the injuries.
Microneedling can also increase the absorbability of topical skin products or treatments. The microscopic punctures allow skincare to penetrate deeper and more effectively into the skin. This is why the addition of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is commonly used after microneedling.
What is Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)?
Platelet-rich plasma is the liquid component of your blood that consists of platelets, proteins, and water. Platelets are blood cells that are responsible for blood clotting and healing processes. This plasma has a concentrated number of platelets, allowing for increased tissue repair and minimization of pigmentation.
When PRP is applied to the skin, it secretes growth factors responsible for skin regeneration. PRP will help minimize wrinkles, reduce acne scars, tighten the skin, and improve complexion.
What Should I Expect During the Procedure?
Before the procedure, your blood will be drawn and centrifuged to isolate the platelets. These isolated platelets will stimulate the increase of reparative cells in your body. After a topical numbing cream is administered, a handheld, electrically powered device will pierce the skin with the small micro-needles.
After microneedling, PRP is then spread across the face to accelerate, enhance, and assist with the healing process. The proteins, growth factors, and cytokines in PRP all help with skin tissue repair. The entire procedure will only take as little as 15 minutes.
What Does the Treatment Help With?
- Acne scars
- Wrinkles
- Fine lines
- Hyperpigmentation
- Sun damage
- Large pores
- Skin texture
- Surgical scars
- Skin tightening
- Toned skin
What Should I Expect After the Procedure?
Because of the ablative properties of microneedling, there are temporary side effects to be aware of. The treatment may cause swelling, redness, and skin irritation that will only last a few days. With the skin being more sensitive to the sun, it is important to apply sunscreen and limit sun exposure. Patients are even able to apply makeup as early as the day after treatment. For at least five hours after the PRP has been applied, do not wash your skin, expose yourself to heat, conduct strenuous exercise, and expose yourself to moisture through sweating, steam room, or sauna.
When Can I Expect Results?
Patients should expect visual results about one to two months after their treatment as the body will have manufactured fresh, robust collagen. This treatment triggers your body’s natural healing process, which takes time to complete. To assist with signs of aging, you should repeat the treatment up to three to six times every four weeks to keep seeing improvements in the skin. After consistent treatments, you can expect to keep your results long-term.
Is Microneedling Safe?
Microneedling devices have been FDA approved for the use of improving skin appearance in patients. A trusted healthcare provider should administer this treatment to ensure a safe and successful procedure. The motorized device may reach nerves or blood vessels, so it is crucial to find an experienced healthcare provider to properly care for your skin before, after, and during the treatment. With the application of topical numbing cream, the patient will not experience any pain during the procedure.
Who is the Best Candidate?
People with uneven skin, texture, scarring, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and other signs of aging would benefit from a microneedling and PRP treatment. Microneedling will refresh and rejuvenate all skin types and can be done on many parts of the body. Patients of every skin color will benefit from this treatment as it will effectively reduce their hyperpigmentation. Patients who have used Accutane, undergone radiation, or have active skin infections should refrain from this treatment.
Interested in learning more about the many benefits of microneedling with PRP? Contact us today to get started. Also, be sure to review Dr. Sajjadian’s before and after photo gallery to see some of his patients’ amazing results!