Microneedling is the process of applying a pen or roller tipped with rows of tiny needles to the skin to create thousands of tiny holes in the epidermis. There are a range of needle lengths and what Microneedling can do for you depends on the length you use.   There are two reasons to use Microneedling: to increase the efficiency of skincare products and to stimulate growth factors and collagen production within the skin. Depending on the skin issue being treated or if you just want a general glow up, different depths can be used between 'shallow' Microneedling (up to 1mm) and 'deep' Microneedling (1mm to 3mm). Making holes through the tough protective outer cells of the epidermis means that any skincare product that you apply on immediately afterwards can get direct access into the skin, so if that’s a advanced serum with skin-repairing benefits, it will be more effective.  Also, Microneedling stimulates collagen, the protein that gives our skin its structure and firmness and that forms the scaffolding of the skin. If the needling is done with long enough needles, it can stimulate a wound-healing response in the skin which floods the skin with growth factors and prompts the skin to create collagen, thus renewing and firming the skin.

Microneedling is a type of treatment that uses small needles to cause tiny punctures in the skin. These small contact points encourage the body to create a wound healing response and renew the skin cells. As your skin repairs, the production of collagen and elastin is triggered to give an almost immediate plumping effect.   It can also help tackle other skin damage such as scarring, dark marks, sun damage and ageing.  Variable treatment intensities allow us to further control the comfort of the treatment.  The needles range in length from 0.1mm up to 3mm. At the lower end of the scale, the process is great for lightly perforating the outer layer of the skin. This allows any skincare products applied afterwards to sink into those holes and further into the skin, thereby increasing their efficiency. To do this, you only need to penetrate the stratum corneum, which is only 0.02mm thick, so a 0.1mm needle depth is plenty for that.  Once you work your way up to 3mm, the needles drive down to the dermal-epidermal junction (also called the dermal-epidermal junction) and causes pinprick bleeding that stimulates the wound-healing response. This triggers the production of a growth factor called TGFb3 (transforming growth factor beta 3) which in turn encourages the production of collagen I — and collagen I is the sort that you find in really young skin, as opposed to collagen II or collagen III, which is laid down in parallel lines and which is more akin to scar tissue.   ·       Combining Microneedling with serums can treat a large spectrum of conditions and can be used on the face or body: ·       Dull skin - Rejuvenate tired and dull skin and combat the initial signs of ageing. Wrinkles - Fine lines and wrinkles on the face can be visibly reduced, as Microneedling triggers collagen production. ·       Scarring - Scars from acne and Chicken Pox can be improved and an uneven texture can be smoothed out with Microneedling. ·       Pigmentation - Can help to fade dark patches such as pigmentation due to sun damage or ageing.  Microneedling is a great treatment for you if you have darker skin because it doesn’t involve peels or lasers, which can cause pigmentation issues.

Since the outer layer of skin is specifically designed to keep stuff out (like water, dirt, bacteria), any skincare product applied directly to the outer layer of skin will inevitably have trouble penetrating to the lower layers where the active ingredients need to get to make a difference. Microneedling allows the active ingredients to penetrate deeper without needing to first fight their way through the outer layer of skin, so they can get to work. Because shallow Microneedling can increase the efficiency of the skincare products applied afterwards, you will often find Microneedling works great paired with Facials. Deep Microneedling is used to stimulate the skin’s wound-healing response, which can help with wrinkles, scarring, stretch marks, sun damage, and ageing skin.   Microneedling can help with a variety of issues: ·       Acne ·       Aged appearance ·       Cellulite Hair loss (also called alopecia) ·       Dark spots or patches on your skin (hyperpigmentation) ·       Dull skin ·       Dry skin ·       Large pores ·       Pigmentation ·       Reduced skin elasticity ·       Sagging ·       Scars ·       Skin Imperfections ·       Stretch marks ·       Stressed skin ·       Sun damage ·       Fine lines and wrinkles

No – at least, usually not.  When Microneedling is included as part of a revitalising facial, it is done with the shorter 'shallow' needles (usually 0.5mm-1mm long) that really don’t hurt as they don’t sink far enough into the skin to hit the nerves or to cause bleeding. For such Microneedling, you generally don’t need anaesthetic numbing cream beforehand. By contrast, Microneedling intended to stimulate the production of collagen requires longer needles (up to 3mm long). Needles this long will cause pinpoint bleeding, unless your tolerance to pain is very high we recommend you will need an anaesthetic cream beforehand.

Yes – Lisa your practitioner is using the device and will respect your skins limits. Usually we work up to deeper lengths in increasing intensity each visit to ensure your skin can handle the treatment.  All those sharp needles making holes in the skin open up the potential for infection, so the skin has to be prepared properly before treatment, and the tips of the needles to be sterile. We do this by using disposable needles which are opened fresh for each new treatment so there is no risk from cross contamination.   Microneedling is a safe and effective skin-care treatment that’s approved for all skin tones. However, those with eczema, rosacea, active acne, psoriasis, unhealed facial wounds, or very sensitive skin types should avoid Microneedling treatments. It’s also not recommended for those prone to keloids, on blood thinners, or for heavy alcohol drinkers.

Microneedling results can be amazing! Each individual case and skin differs, however generally we recommend a course of 4-8 sessions with 4-6 weeks apart for skin that is noticeably firmer, clearer and smoother.   Would it work for you? In short, yes. Microneedling has been proven time and again to stimulate the growth of new collagen in the skin. It’s a natural response that occurs in everyone’s skin, so you can be confident that your pain will not be without gain.

The effects of a Microneedling facial normally last around 4-6 weeks. The better care you take of your skin, the longer you can prolong the effect. Shallow Microneedling depends on the products used afterwards and are more of an on-going process. When you have deeper Microneedling that gives you pinprick bleeding, this means you’ve hit the sweet spot for collagen production. The effects from this level of treatment last for several months, the exact duration depending on how quickly your skin cells renew, and the age and original condition of your skin.

Lisa will discuss your individual treatment needs with you at your consultation, including the expected number of treatments and treatment intervals depending on your type of skin damage. A course of 4-8 treatments usually gives the best results every 4-6 weeks.

The holes are tiny,  that being said, I’d put aside a good three days after the treatment during which you should expect to have tight, red, slightly tender skin. It feels very much like sunburn and needs very gentle treatment for the first few days. I certainly wouldn’t do this a couple of days before a date, a party, or any other kind of social occasion in case you have more severe side effects - you don’t want to look like a walking tomato! Microneedling facials generally have minimal side effects. That said, obviously the deeper the needles are applied equates to a stronger treatment but this also means the severity of any side effects can increase.   As you’d expect, any time you inflict even a small amount of purposeful damage to your skin, you’re going to experience a few side effects. Even scratching an itch can leave a faint mark; That being said, Microneedling side effects are generally pretty mild and to be expected. Redness - Redness after Microneedling is a common side effect, but this subsides within a few hours. Swelling - Some discomfort and swelling are also common, but these side effects don’t happen to all and should also subside within a few hours. Anti-histamines can be taken as required. Sensitivity - Additionally, after Microneedling sessions, your skin is more sun-sensitive because it’s more exposed due to the tiny punctures from the needles. For that reason, it’s important to wear a broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.  Another Microneedling side effect is that it can make your skin more sensitive when applying topical products. Stinging - In the 48 to 72 hours following your Microneedling treatment avoid products with alcohol (which can cause stinging) and active ingredients, including retinoids, AHAs, and BHAs. These ingredients will be too strong right after Microneedling is done. Instead, use a mild cleanser and hydrating serum and don’t exfoliate or scrub the skin too soon after your treatment.   Good aftercare can make all the difference in your results.

You can not have Botox within 2weeks or Dermal Filler within 4weeks of microneedling

It’s best to avoid makeup for at least 24 hours post-treatment to prevent irritation or infection.

There’s no direct answer to this question, because it depends on what skincare concerns you have and which other facials you’re comparing it to. A microneedling facial can be a great way to ensure that your skin can absorb skincare products and to give your skin a boost. Personally I love the results a microneedling facial gives and providing you don't mind a couple days downtime the results are 100% worth it.