With it's growing popularity in our clinic and in the skin industry in general, let's have a look at everything you need to know about one of our favourite skin treatments
So, what is Skin needling ?
Skin needling, also referred to as collagen induction therapy (CIT) is an advanced, yet minimal invasive skin treatment that utilises the body's natural healing processes to encourage the repair and renewal of our skin cells.
By inducing controlled micro-channels, the healing process stimulates new collagen and elastin production, which allows for the improvement of our skin's tone, texture and tightness.
Skin needling also allows us to break down most pigmentation in the skin cells as well as work as an anti-aging method through increased cellular turnover.
All in all skin needling or CIT is a well-rounded rejuvenation treatment addressing a wide variety of concerns and is friendly to all skin types.
Very tiny needles are used to penetrate the top layer of the skin vertically causing localised and controlled damage without substantially affecting the structure of the epidermis. The creation of controlled micro-channels in the skin instigates the regeneration of skin cells via a natural process of healing. Awakening the fibroblast that lies within the deeper layers of the skin, healthy collagen is naturally produced.
The gentle stimulus provided by medical micro-needling is considered far more effective than many other more invasive and expensive skincare treatments. It is a quick & easy technique with little downtime. After a course of treatments, skin structure is visibly revitalised, rejuvenated, replenished and regenerated.
When undergoing a skin needling treatment there are a few different methods that can be applied to achieve the best result for each client that walks through the door.
Depending on desired outcome, we can change and adjust the needle depth and speed to work with the skin and harbour the right skin response based on the condition and concern in front of us. Your therapist can adjust and manipulate the device to treat each area differently to achieve different endpoints, because of this we are able to treat multiple concerns in one session.
Skin needling is the only treatment that:
Maximises penetration of essential cell nutrients
Maximises the release of growth factors - a naturally occurring substance that is capable of stimulating cell proliferation, differentiation and even wound healing
Respects all 3 main target cells - Keratinocyte, Melanocytes, Fibroblasts
Preserves first 3 lines of skin barrier defence - Acid mantle & microbiome, Corneocyte cells/stratum corneum, Multi-lamellar lipids
Strengthens dermal-epidermal junction
Who is skin needling good for?
The wide suitability for most skin types and concerns is one of the key advantages that makes this treatment so incredibly popular. We can safely and effectively treat..
Acne scarring
Congestion
Enlarged pores
Pigmentation
Skin laxity
Wrinkles & fine lines
Stretch marks
With benefits like
Improve skin texture & reduce pore size
Minimise fine lines
Increase natural collagen formation
Regenerate skin
Minimal recovery
Safe for all skin tones
Now, skin tones is another big advantage, as many other treatments are not recommended for darker skin tones, so let's dive just a little bit deeper into this before continuing..
The way we establish the colour someone's skin holds is through a scale called the Fitzpatrick skin type scale. There are 6 Fitzpatrick skin types and this scales are used by many practitioners on a daily to establish an individual's skin type before creating a treatment plan that involves skin-specific procedures.
This is very important because different skin types have different vulnerabilities to procedures and therefore may carry more risk for procedure-related problems and after-effects. These effects can include burns, scarring, blotchiness and even lightening or darkening of the skin in the procedure area.
When it comes to issues like post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), individuals with skin type I-III have less risk while those with skin type IV-VI have more risk.
For this reason, procedures such as microdermabrasion, chemical peels, and certain laser treatments are not recommended for patients with darker skin. However, as Skin Needling is not a light or heat based procedure, it doesn’t involve harsh chemicals or techniques that can instigate significant inflammation of the skin. Therefore, Skin Needling is one of the safest and most effective skin treatment for all skin types + another bonus, it has has virtually no downtime!
Where should you get this treatment done?
Obviously, we would love to treat you here at SANA Skin clinic, but our objective with this blog is to give general advise, so that you can make informed choices when it comes to choosing the best possible options for you.
So let's have a look at the biggest 2 areas to pay attention:
Does the skin need any prepping?
Absolutely!
General advice: If you come across offers, where you could just walk in off the street to get this treatment done - don't do it! This only shows that there will be no or very little care around the best outcome for you, but let us explain...
The process of skin needling kicks our mother skin cells into action causing mass production of new baby skin cells, if your mother cells are unhappy then the baby skin cells they produce are going to be mediocre at best.
Skin prep is essential to get the mother cell at optimal health to get the best results and leave you happy with the commitment you’ve made to your skin.
Now this does not mean it has to be a lengthy prep process for most, we for you to get the most out of this treatment your skin will need optimum support.
Here at SANA we have some non negotiables and then some recommend additional support options to boost results even further.
Non negotiable:
Advanced skin analysis and diagnostics to ensuring there are no contradictions
Repairing the skin barrier to a healthy function first ( if needed)
Ensuring the daily skin care routine supports the individual skin needs and concerns.
Introducing key actives that support the strengthening of the skin, as well as the healing processes (For example key vitamins & zinc)
Post Needling nourishing bespoke facial incl. LED
Optional booster
At home micro needling, which is a incredible tool on its own and even better as an in between in clinic treatments. But again now all roller are made equally so we only stock MTS rollers
Naturopathic internal support - there is always so much to unpack when it comes to your skin and its internal triggers and supports systems. In short, your skin will always reflect, what is happening internally. So when it comes to Skin needling there are many ways you can support your body internally to boost the results you can topically achieve.
Frequent custom Facials to further target the desired outcome
Combining modalities to enhance results. We love doing this, as yes on it's own Skin needling already is a incredible superhero but when combined with some of our other modalities.. it's like assembling the Avengers (sorry marvel nerd over here)
Skin prep is essential to get the mother cell at optimal health to get the best results and leave you happy with the commitment you’ve made to your skin.
Are all skin needling devises the same?
Short answer, no.
When you look into skin needling you will see that there are many devices used by different clinics, all claiming that they are the best - but truth be told not all devices are manufactured, tested and approved equally.
So general advise: Do your research!
Here at SANA, we use the EXCEED medical micro-needling device, EXCEED by Amiea Med is a medical micro-needling device clinically proven to visibly reduce wrinkles & treat acne scarring, in particular, to reduce the depth of scars and to normalise the skin structure.
It is quiet and has low vibration rate making it a more pleasant treatment as opposed to other needling devices on the market that are loud. Most importantly, EXCEED device is both FDA and TGA approved
Bonus advise: Just as much as devises vary, so does the education and training for therapists performing these treatments. So be sure to also so your research around these key factors
How many treatments will you need?
This will depend on your individual needs and goals, which will be discuss in your initial Skin analysis & consultation. In general Skin needling works best in a serious of 4-6 treatments, which will be 4-6 weeks apart
Does it hurt? - As everyone pain tolerance is so different, let us just say.. It is not as relaxing as a regular facial, but so far we have not come across any client (even the ones with needle phobia) that found it intolerable, some actually fall asleep.
Award winning
Back in May '23 we were lucky enough to win a EXCEED skin needling before and after competition in the anti-ageing category and were awarded with a trip to Sydney to attend a Skin Needling conference and advanced workshop with one of the world’s leading researchers in the field of skin needling, Associate Professor Dr. Matthias Aust - very exciting.
The secret to incredible results like this is not only our treatments, products and all around care, but also credit to clients trusting the process and being committed to routines and care at home.
In summary
Skin needling is a advanced, highly effective and multi beneficial treatment with minimal downtime. It is safe for a wide range of skin conditions and concerns. It stimulates the bodies natural wound healing abilities to help produce new collagen and regenerate skin cells to allow for a well rounded rejuvenation, improved acne scars, reduced pigmentation and even works as an anti-aging and preservative treatment.
Feel free to reach out of book a consultation at Sana skin clinic if you are ready for our team to help you.
Your team @ SANA Skin Clinic
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