If you want to improve the appearance of your skin, then you may want to find a treatment that can address all of your superficial skin concerns at one time. At Anazao MD in Steamboat Springs, CO, we know that one of the most effective aesthetic treatments for overall skin health is microneedling, with or without PRP treatment. So, what do you need to know about this treatment?

Microneedling can address a wide range of aesthetic concerns, including age-related concerns like fine lines and wrinkles, superficial concerns like post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and dark spots, as well as shallow acne scarring, enlarged pores, rough skin, dry skin, and dull skin. The reason this treatment can address so many aesthetic concerns is that it works on both the upper dermis and the subdermal layers to rejuvenate the appearance of your skin.

How Soon Do You See Results From Microneedling?

Most people will see the results of a microneedling treatment within a few days. Your initial results will include glowing skin with a better overall tone. These initial results are only a preview of what you can expect when you have repeated treatments.

As you have more treatments, your results will gradually improve and start to last longer. With a complete round of treatments, you can drastically improve the appearance of your skin concerns by increasing collagen production. You should be able to see optimal results from an initial round of treatment within three to four months.

How Many Treatments Will You Need?

The number of treatments you will need will depend directly on your skin condition. For the most part, people can use an initial round of three treatments to see significant improvements in the appearance of their skin. If you have mild can concerns, three treatments should be enough to rejuvenate your skin.

However, if you have moderate-to-severe concerns, you may need up to six treatments to achieve all of your desired skin goals. We will recommend an ideal number of treatments based on your skin condition, skin type, and how well you responded to the treatment.

What Can You Expect From Treatment?

This treatment is performed using a patented skinpen, which penetrates the upper dermal layers to create micro-injuries that stimulate the natural healing qualities of your skin. As part of wound healing, the inflammation in your skin will send signals to your body to increase blood circulation to aid in healing, and also produce higher levels of collagen and elastin proteins to seal wounds. These key functions will gradually improve the appearance and texture of your skin.

Your treatment appointment will usually take about 20 to 30 minutes. Although this treatment is generally comfortable, many patients like to use topical numbing creams to ensure their comfort for the duration of the treatment. This treatment begins with cleansing skin to sterilize the skin surface, using the patented skinpen, and then cleansing the skin again with a soothing or hydrating product to encourage the best results.

What About Microneedling With PRP?

At our clinic, we like to provide microneedling with PRP treatments. PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma, which is the clear fluid in your blood that is packed with important wound healing properties. Research suggests that when PRP is applied to inflamed skin, it can encourage better results in the production of collagen and elastin.

If you’re using PRP with microneedling, your appointments will take about an hour. For PRP treatments, we will need to draw a small amount of your blood, which is then placed into a centrifuge to separate blood cells from blood plasma. The plasma will then be applied to your skin after the skin-needling step and will sit on your skin for several minutes to encourage rapid wound healing.

What Should You Do Before Treatment?

Before your treatments, whether or not you were including PRP as part of your treatment plan, you will still need to make certain adjustments in your skincare habits and other lifestyle factors for at least three to five days before your treatment.

One important factor is to temporarily stop using blood-thinning medications or supplements. You should not use retinoids or chemical exfoliants immediately before your treatment so you can avoid skin irritation and dryness. You may also be encouraged to drink plenty of water on the day of your treatment and to take off any jewelry on the face.

What Should You Do After Treatment?

After your treatment, you will want to take good care of your skin to encourage healing  One important thing to do is to avoid direct contact with the sun during the first week after your treatment since your skin will be sensitive and unprotected sun exposure can cause damage. You should also avoid hot water, excessive sweating, heat, steam, and irritating skincare products for at least 24 to 48 hours.

It’s important to keep your skin well hydrated after your treatment, so using good quality skincare products is a good idea. Some products you may want to consider include hyaluronic acid serum, collagen-based moisturizers, and simple lotions that include aloe vera or ceramides.

How Long Will Results Last?

The results of this treatment will usually last for about six to 12 months for most people. Using PRP may increase the longevity of the results. Your results will sometimes last longer depending on the skin conditions you’re trying to treat. For example, some textural skin concerns like scarring and wrinkles may only produce results that last for six months, while pigmented concerns can produce results that last for longer than a year if you do well to avoid additional sun damage.

How Can You Maintain Your Results?

Maintaining your desired results is all about maintaining a good treatment schedule. For most people, one treatment every 12 months is adequate to encourage high collagen production and good cellular turnover. You can also maintain your results by having good skin and lifestyle practices, such as using sun protection, drinking enough water, eating a balanced diet, and using high-quality skincare products.

Can You Enhance Your Results?

Alongside maintaining your desired results may be the goal to enhance your results. Although microneedling is an excellent tool to promote good skin health, some people may have additional aesthetic concerns that can be addressed by taking other measures to improve their skin. You can enhance our results by using methods such as:

Skincare Products

Using high-grade skincare products is essential to enhancing the health and function of your skin. You should customize your skincare products based on the skin goals you are trying to meet. If you are trying to address anti-aging concerns, then you may want to use products that are designed to reduce the visible signs of aging. Some of these products can include ingredients such as collagen, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide.

Aesthetic Treatments

You may also be able to enhance your results by using other aesthetic treatments, such as wrinkle relaxers, dermal fillers, chemical peels, dermaplaning, and other facials. Using other aesthetic treatments can make the results of your treatments work better or be more comprehensive. Combining aesthetic treatments can be an ideal method for those who have complex skin concerns that may not be addressed with only one treatment.

Sun Protection

Enhancing your results can also be done by protecting your skin from the sun. Most visible skin damage is caused by exposure to sunlight, so the best way to have long-lasting results and prevent new skin concerns is to protect your skin from damaging UV rays. Using a broad-spectrum sunscreen during the day is the best method. Your sunscreen can the chemical, mineral, or included in makeup products.

Are You a Good Candidate?

One of the best things about this treatment is the fact that most people are good candidates. This minimally invasive treatment uses your body’s resources to heal wounds and improve the appearance of superficial skin concerns. Because this treatment uses natural resources, you do not need to be concerned about allergic reactions even if you have very sensitive skin. Candidates for this treatment include those who have mild to moderate skin concerns and who are willing to maintain their desired results with annual appointments.

Get Skin You Love

Getting skin you love is easier than you think – and it could happen faster than you realize when you use the right treatment. Microneedling can produce your optimal skin results in as little as three months or after an initial round of three treatments. Contact us at Anazao MD in Steamboat Springs, CO today to schedule your consultation.