Microneedling

Microneedling is a cosmetic procedure that instigates the body’s healing response to stimulate the production of collagen. This collagen, paired with the body’s healing response, aims to treat skin problems in patients. Overtime, we lose collagen and elastin with age and therefore signs of premature ageing show. The procedure pricks the skin with small, sterilised needles which allows the body to create new skin tissue to repair the skin, resulting in a smoother complexion. Patients mainly get microneedling treatment on the face however it can also treat hair growth, the legs, back and neck. The skin has a better tone and texture thanks to microneedling treatments. This minimally invasive treatment targets acne, hyperpigmentation, sun damage, scarring, dark spots, wrinkles, fine lines, stretch marks and large pores. After micro-punctures are made, the body will begin the healing process and create more elastin to tighten the skin. This collagen induction therapy allows the skin to respond to the surface level trauma by creating a natural plump and volume to the skin. Microneedling will help you have younger looking skin in no time!

Benefits of Microneedling

Microneedling treatments have several benefits associated with them. This treatment provides minimal discomfort and downtime, allowing the patients to return to their routine in no time. Microneedling treatments can be personalised to focus on what skin concerns each patient wants to treat. At the end of the treatment you will find your skin has more volume, is smoother, healthy and has smaller pores. Microneedling can reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, sun exposure, dark spots, redness, melasma and stretch marks. This treatment is known to treat acne by reducing the appearance of scarring and stimulating healthy tissue.

Studies have shown that microneedling can stimulate hair growth in patients with alopecia. Microneedling can also be combined with several other treatments, such as Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), to deliver excellent results. Microneedling is beneficial for darker skin tones as it has the same results as laser treatments do without the risk of affecting the skin’s pigmentation and colour. This treatment is the natural answer to your skin concerns. If a serum is applied to the skin, microneedling can allow the product to reach the deeper layers of the skin and allow the product to treat it from the inside. Microneedling is beneficial for all skin types unlike other treatments that damage the epidermis.

Your consultation at The Good Skin Clinic

To determine whether the treatment is ideal for you, patients should organise a consultation with our clinic prior to the treatment. Our team will evaluate your suitability to the microneedling treatment by conducting a skin check. She will evaluate your skin type, medical and cosmetic history, what supplements and medication you take, and your desired outcomes for the treatment. In your consultation we will discuss the questions and concerns you may have surrounding the treatment. Here at The Good Skin Clinic, you are under the care of experienced Nurse Practitioner Sheriden Dobson to provide you the best results possible. She will use her 11 years of emergency department experience and three years of cosmetic experience to create a personalised treatment plan and to ensure you are happy with your results. Contact our clinic today to book your next consultation.

What to expect

Before the microneedling procedure, patients are advised to prepare the skin with vitamin A and C formulas twice a day for a month prior to the treatment. This maximises the results of the microneedling procedure by increasing the treatment’s ability to stimulate collagen with vitamin C and tissue healing with vitamin A. Microneedling can be performed in-office as it is a minimally invasive treatment. Microneedling engages the skin’s healing process to stimulate the production of collagen. The depth of the needles will depend on the reason for treatment.

The procedure begins with a numbing cream applied to your face to maximise comfort and allow you to not feel the pinpricks. The skin will be stretched slightly. The microneedling device, a device with small needles attached, will then be rolled around the treatment area as it creates small pinpricks in the skin. The pinpricks of the treatment cause trauma to the skin that the skin then rushes to repair. This results in new tissue that is smoother and has an even texture and tone. Patients can expect bleeding as the treatment occurs. We commonly combine this procedure with topical serums and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) treatments to further maintain the results of the treatment. Finally the serum will be applied to the face to allow it to sink in.

Cost of Microneedling treatments in Moonee Ponds

In your consultation with The Good Skin Clinic, you will receive a personalised quote based on the specifications of the treatment. NP Sheriden Dobson will create a personalised quote for you based on your skincare needs. The cost of microneedling treatments begin at $100 and the procedure takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes. When combined with PRP, Microneedling costs $530 for one session and one tube, $750 for one session and two tubes, $850 for one session and three tubes and $1800 for three sessions and two tubes. It is important that you book your consultation before your treatment so our team can evaluate the procedure and explain the process. Elements such as the treatment area and the amount of areas being treated will be evaluated to determine the overall price of your treatment. NP Sheriden Dobson will use your consultation to determine your desired outcomes for microneedling. Unfortunately, medicare and health insurance no longer provide rebates for microneedling as they are classed as elective procedures, not medically necessary.

Results & aftercare for Microneedling

Microneedling will require aftercare to fully maintain the results of the treatment. Immediately after the procedure, we will apply an ice pack to the treatment area to provide comfort. Your skin will experience redness and swelling for 24 hours post-treatment. The next few days after the procedure your skin will feel itchy and dry before flaking off. These are all good signs that the skin is healing. In your first week of recovery we recommend avoiding sun exposure, makeup, strong skin care products with retinol and excessive sweating as your skin channels are exposed. We encourage patients to keep up their hydration after the procedure and wear sunscreen. We also recommend the use of an antioxidant serum, cooling mask and collagen-stimulating peptides.

The results of microneedling are immediate and you will have voluminous, fresh-looking skin. Patients have noted having firmer skin after the procedure with minimally visible skin concerns. Collagen will fill in the wrinkles and fine lines to create a smoother complexion. We suggest patients to have four to six treatments spaced two to six weeks apart for results to be fully visible. It is important to note that microneedling results take time to be seen as the growth of new tissue and collagen takes time.

Risks & complications

Because the treatment involves the skin experiencing controlled trauma, there are some risks and complications of the treatment. Immediately after the procedure, patients can experience skin irritation, redness and swelling. During the procedure your skin will bleed upon the impact of the needles however it should not continue to bleed after the procedure. Some patients experience their skin feels tight and like it is burning preceding the treatment however this settles quickly. Your skin is more sensitive after microneedling so it is important to protect it to avoid other types of damage to the skin.

In some cases patients will experience:

  • Bruising
  • Infection
  • Peeling
  • Scarring
  • Discomfort
  • Skin pigmentation
  • Reaction to numbing cream or serums

It is important to discuss with our team if you have skin conditions that may affect this treatment and cause further infection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Microneedling hurt?

Microneedling is not meant to hurt and you will have a numbing cream applied to the treatment area so you do not feel the initial impact of the microneedles. Instead patients note that they feel a slight discomfort after the procedure. Our team will monitor how you feel during the procedure to ensure it is not too uncomfortable for you.

Can my stretch marks be treated by Microneedling?

Microneedling is an effective procedure to reduce the visibility of stretch marks. Once the device is passed over the stretch marks, the body will begin to produce collagen in place of the stretch marks and fill in the indentation. In some cases patients experience a reduction in the colouration of their stretch marks which removes them completely.

Can I say goodbye to my under eye circles with Microneedling?

Fortunately microneedling can treat sensitive, hard to reach areas such as the under eye circles due to the small device used. Patients will no longer have sagging under eye skin with wrinkles as the treatment tightens the skin creating a healthier, more contoured eye.