What is SKIN NEEDLING?
What is Skin Needling?
Skin Needling is a safe, effective and minimally invasive treatment which uses fine needles to create micro channels in the skin to stimulate skin cell regeneration & renewal This triggers a healing response which helps to lift and tighten the skin as well as improve skin texture and tone. Each Skin Needling treatment can be tailored to your individual skin type and needs whether it be age management, breakouts, pigmentation or scar revision.
We recommend foregoing topical numbing creams if possible however if you know you have a low pain threshold Emla cream can be purchased from a pharmacy and topically applied half an hour prior to your booked salon appointment. Please note this can affect the outcome of the treatment as it temporarily restricts blood flow to the skin.
How does skin needling work?
Ageing - The wound healing response in the skin created post-needling stimulates the cells that are responsible for creating Collagen, Elastin & Hyaluronic Acid to start reproducing again like they did back when we were babies!
Acne(Grades 13 only)— Creating oxygen passages in the skin allows us to kill off acne-causing bacteria. It also increases exfoliation of the skin and can treat the visible appearance of scarring.
Redness - Skin Needling will disperse and repair exposed capillaries on the skins surface thus reducing obvious vascular matting over time.
Pigmentation - Skin Needling releases Melanocyte Growth Factor to make sure our cells are holding the correct amount of pigment and helps to break down any surface pigmentation. This treatment is excellent for both Post Inflammatory Pigmentation (from sun damage, picking or trauma) and hormonal pigmentation such as Melasma.
Conditions can be targeted based on your skin concerns so please discuss thoroughly with your skin therapist prior to your course of treatment.
Targeted Conditions & Treatment Spacing-
Acne (Grades 1-3 only), Milia, Keratosis Pilaris, Hyperpigmentation, Melasma. These will require a series of treatments spaced 2-4 weeks apart.
Anti aging, lines, wrinkles, rosacea, alopecia, enlarged pores, telangiectasia. These will require a series of treatments spaced 6-8 weeks apart.
How should I prepare for my treatment?
We recommend visiting Melissa Jean Skin Therapy for at least 1-2 DMK Enzyme treatments prior to Skin Needling to ensure your skin is healthy, strong and appropriately prepped for the treatment.
Use of a Vitamin A prescriptive from MJS is required to be applied to the skin of an evening for at least 2 weeks prior to your first Skin Needling treatment. A prescriptive Vitamin C serum should also be used daily a minimum of two weeks prior. EFA supplements should also be taken to strengthen and hydrate the skin and help reduce inflammation.
An added bonus in preparation for Skin Needling is using Beta Gel to stimulate the healing response in the skin especially for acne clients.
How should I look after my skin post treatment?
Immediately post treatment your skin may be a little red, warm and sensitive.
It is advised that you omit the use of any products with active ingredients for 5 days post Skin Needling.
Avoid going to the gym or doing any strenuous activities that may cause excessive perspiration for about 24hours post treatment. A light mineral makeup can be applied the following day if required.
Redness varies from person to person and subsides anywhere between 2-24hrs. External factors that may impact this response include stress and lack of skin preparation.
Your therapist will provide you with Fast Skin Repair Cream which should be continued for 3-5 days following your treatment. After this you can return to your usual skincare routine. No actives should be used (such as vitamin C, Vitamin A, AHAs, BHAs) on the skin for 3 days post needling.
Sunscreen & Sun protection (hat & sunglasses) should be worn every day for 8 weeks post skin needling to protect new collagen formation.
Please do not ice the skin post Skin Needling as this will interrupt the healing process.
Approximately 3-4 days post Skin Needling you may experience some flaking or dryness of the skin, we recommend performing a light exfoliation to remove the dead cells. If you wish you may follow this with a Hydrating Mask or perform your DMK Home Enzyme.
If you are treating acne please be aware you may get a flare up of breakouts around day 4 however this should subside fairly quickly.
It is critical that you support your skin before, during and after your skin needling treatment for best results.
Contraindications to treatment
Papulopustular Rosacea
Herpes Simplex
Scleroderma
Open Lesions
Skin Cancer
Acne-Grades III-IV
Warts
Bacterial/Fungal infections
Roaccutane
Haemophilia
Post Chemotherapy- 3 months. Seek doctors approval before proceeding after 3 months.
Topical Antibiotics for acne- allow 2 weeks
Sunburn
Cosmetic body implants
Trauma scars- must be cleared with surgeon for treatment approval.
Thermal treatments
Considerations
Autoimmune disorders- seek Doctor’s approval due to compromised wound healing
Medications- Blood thinners (Aspirin, Warfin, Ibuprofen, Fish Oils, Ginkgo Biloba and alcohol). Photo sensitisers, anti-depressants.
Fillers/injectables- 14 days either side of treatment
Cosmetic tattooing- must avoid area as it will leach colour.
Solar keratosis- must be cleared as benign by medical practitioner.
LED- can apply prior. Must wait 3 days post treatment.
Microdermabrasion- 2 weeks after needling treatment.
