What is a micro-needling facial treatment?

As we age, our skin typically lowers its collagen production – the compound responsible for firm, glowing and youthful skin. This lower collagen production may lead to wrinkles, enlarged pores, scarring and premature ageing. No one wants to look older than they already are! At Halo Salon, we offer micro-needling treatments that can help you turn back the hands of time. It is a much more affordable option compared to other treatments such as lasers or intensive peels.

Our micro-needling treatment has a quick recovery time, taking on average 24-48 hours. This treatment is best suited to those who are healthy and have skin concerns that home remedies or even dermatological procedures have failed to treat.

What is Micro-needling?

Micro-needling, also known as collagen induction therapy (CIT), is a safe and effective cosmetic procedure that can improve the skin’s appearance. It is a fast and inexpensive way of getting smoother, firmer and more toned skin and has been used for more than 20 years to treat skin issues.

The process involves using a special pen similar to a derma-roller with super fine needles that range in diameter from 0.5-2.5mm to create microscopic punctures in the skin. These enhance the skin’s ability to absorb topical skincare products and increase collagen and elastin production, decreasing scarring and wrinkle formation.

This rejuvenation procedure is safe for nearly all skin types, has minimal side effects, and is perfect for tightening, smoothing out the skin and repairing acne scarring. As it doesn’t use heat (which can affect your skin’s pigmentation) the way laser treatments do, it may yield better results for people with darker skin tones.

The treatment takes around 30 mins to an hour, depending on your skin issues. First, the skin is cleansed, then a topical numbing cream is applied so you can’t feel the needle pricks. Once the numbing cream starts to take effect, the dermatologist uses a skin repair serum to promote healing and skin rejuvenation. The micro-needling pen is then passed on the face in a back and forth motion to ‘needle’ in the serum. After this, another serum and a hydrating mask (optional) seals everything up. The procedure’s goal is to trick the body into triggering its natural healing mechanism by sending collagen and elastin to patch up the tiny injuries.

Is it painful? When done in the hands of a professional, there should be zero to minimal pain and side effects. Furthermore, a numbing cream is used explicitly for this purpose – to reduce swelling, redness and inflammation. However, some people have reported minor skin irritations typical of sunburns immediately after the treatment. These shouldn’t last for long, and after 24-48 hours, your skin should return to normal. More sensitive areas of the face such as the forehead, hairline, jawline and upper lip tend to be more prone to irritation. 

Dermatologists warn against home-based micro-needling options as chances of badly hurting yourself are pretty high. Inflammation, bleeding, and peeling are some of the possible unpleasant side effects. Furthermore, the home environment isn’t sterile, therefore not suited for such delicate treatments, which are best done in a controlled medical setting by a professional.

Benefits of Micro-needling

While the face is often the part of the body treated, micro-needling can be done anywhere on the body, particularly in areas with stretch marks requiring a collagen boost. Some of the benefits of micro-needling include:

• Prevents early signs of ageing such as wrinkles and fine lines
• Enhances the texture of the skin
• Minimises pore size and induces skin tightening
• Improves the effectiveness of topical skincare products
• Improves surgical, burn and acne scars
• May reduce the appearance of stretch marks
• Helps treat hyperpigmentation (brown spots and melasma)

While some may see results after one or two treatments, some may need several sessions over a couple of months to see the desired results. Whether the change is subtle or dramatic will also depend on a range of factors, including skin condition, severity and age.

Additionally, how often you may need the procedure done will depend on your skin condition. If your skin is relatively healthy, you can micro-needle 2-3 times a year. On the other hand, if you have dramatic scarring or extreme skin ageing, a monthly session for 4-6 months should do the trick.

What are the Do’s and Don’ts of Micro-needling?

As micro-needling leaves your skin red and sensitive, you should take care of your skin following the treatment by:

• Using sunscreen with at least SPF 30
• Avoiding retinol and acids such as glycolic and salicylic
• Staying away from places that could be bacteria-infested like public swimming pools, saunas, rivers and lakes
• Keeping your skin hydrated by using a mild hydrating serum
• Avoiding exfoliating scrubs, irritating soaps and deep cleansers in the days immediately following the treatment

Although the treatment is suitable for all skin types, those with active skin infections such as herpes simplex, inflamed acne, broken skin, infected wounds and acute eczema should avoid the procedure.

Contact our professional team at Halo today to enquire about your micro-needling treatment.