Microneedling procedure: what it is and how to do it at home

Microneedling is a new modern technology that is used in cosmetology. It is loved by many clients and owners of beauty salons for its simplicity and the good results that are obtained after it. Microneedling can be done at home if you follow the procedure rules. It allows you not only to keep your skin in good condition, but also to restore its youth, get rid of age-related wrinkles and sagging, eliminate signs of post-acne, remove stretch marks, and solve many other problems not only with the face, but also with the scalp.

What is the essence of the rejuvenation procedure?

During microneedling, microtrauma occurs in areas of the skin with very thin needles, the length of which is from 0.25 to 3 mm. The needles are made of stainless steel. They are the main part of a special device - a mesoscooter, consisting of a special handle and a small rotating drum. These needles injure the skin and leave tiny holes on it; pain during microneedling is very insignificant.

When vibrating, a mesoscooter can create up to half a million holes in the skin layer in 10-15 minutes. Through them, active cosmeceutical substances enter the deep layers of the epidermis, the process of self-healing of damaged cells is launched, and collagen is actively produced. During the procedure, there is minimal traumatic impact on the skin. This does not remove the surface layer of the epidermis, as happens with grinding, abrasive facial cleansing or chemical peeling. As a result of microneedling, no hematomas are formed, the skin is restored very quickly, and the holes from the needles heal within an hour.

Description of facial microneedling procedure

Facial microneedling is a process of mechanical puncture of the epidermis using a special mesoscooter with needles in order to deliver bioactive compounds into the deep layers of the skin. This effect can activate fibroblasts responsible for the production of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. Thus, fibroblast activation is carried out mechanically.

The mesoscooter has a round shape and is similar to a brush, which has needles instead of bristles. There are many types of devices. They differ from each other in size, shape, length of needles, and their number.

Thus, needles for influencing facial skin have the smallest diameter and size. Usually within 0.2-0.5 millimeters. They loosen the top layer of skin and improve the absorption abilities of the epidermis. The body spines are larger - 0.5-1.5 millimeters. They are used to combat stretch marks, cellulite, hair loss, and sagging. To eliminate the effects of acne and smooth out scars, you will need needles about 3 millimeters in length.

The essence of the procedure is similar to mesotherapy, but the main difference between microneedling is that the drugs are not injected into the skin, but the effect is carried out in a different way.

It can be divided into several stages:

After skin damage by mesoscooter needles, platelet activation occurs. The latter produce growth factor proteins that enhance cell division. These proteins also stimulate the formation of connective tissue substances - collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid. Punctures with needles must be done quickly so that the lesions cannot close and the bioactives have time to get under the skin.
Next comes the process of inflammation and restoration of the skin. As a rule, this takes 1-3 days. Inflammation triggers the work of cells that stimulate the restoration process in the epidermis. At the same time, the vascular wall is strengthened, collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid are actively synthesized. During this period, swelling of the face and redness may be observed.
At the third stage of the procedure, new tissue begins to form on the damaged areas of the skin and granulation occurs. During this, the face may itch and peel. During this period, the processes of neocollagenesis and restoration of basal membranes are launched.
The last stage is plastic. Its duration ranges from two weeks to two years. At this time, type 1 collagen actively replaces type 3 and 6 collagen.

Over time, collagen breaks down faster than it is synthesized. “Old” collagen has a damaged structure and does not contribute to skin rejuvenation. Microneedling helps the skin synthesize ordered, elastic collagen. In addition, the process of injury to the epidermis helps to strengthen local immunity, the skin quickly regenerates, elasticity, density, and freshness return to it. Age-related pigmentation also disappears and complexion improves.

Microneedling is not recommended to be done too often. If you do a new procedure earlier than 28 days after the previous one, the epidermis will produce collagen of the third and sixth types, that is, the one that is responsible for the formation of scars. It will take at least 28 days for young and elastic collagen to form.

During the microneedling process, bioactive components penetrate as deeply as possible into the dermis, since damage to the surface layer eliminates the obstacle to the active substances. Skin permeability improves by 85%. It is worth noting that with normal surface application of a cosmetic product, the permeability does not exceed three percent.

Microneedling is not a particularly traumatic procedure; it takes only a few days for skin damage to heal, and the risk of developing bacterial infectious lesions of the epidermis is minimal.

During the procedure, professional cosmetics for mesoscooters are used. Depending on the individual characteristics of the skin, age-related changes and problems, meso-cocktails, serums, gels with hyaluron and vitamins, concentrated bioactives with collagen, elastin and other useful components may be prescribed.

As a rule, collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, which are included in microneedling preparations, have a low molecular structure with a particle size of less than 9 nm. Thanks to this particle size, substances penetrate as deeply as possible into the layers of the epidermis.

The microneedling procedure can be carried out without the use of special drugs. In this case, intensive massage with a mesoscooter improves local microcirculation of blood and lymph, and cellular metabolism. Punctures of the epidermis also stimulate cells to work and renew the collagen structure.

How to choose a microneedling machine at home

In order to carry out the rejuvenation procedure at home, you need to purchase a set consisting of a mesoscooter and special cosmetics. There are two types of kits on sale - for treating facial skin and for treating the area around the eyes. These are safe devices, they are easy to use, you just need to follow the included instructions. Microneedling at home allows you to save money and also carry out the procedure at any convenient time, because you will no longer need to coordinate appointment hours with a cosmetologist and rush to the salon.

When purchasing a set, you need to pay attention to the medical safety certificate for both the device and the included cosmetics and serum. A device for home use contains 200 or more needles. You also need to know that the needles in the roller can be steel or have an additional titanium coating. Titanium-coated needles have the longest service life. The sharpening of needles can be different. The best is diamond sharpening, which is used for titanium needles, it is slightly inferior to laser sharpening, and the most common is acupuncture sharpening.

Description and action

Microneedling service is not a panacea. This is a way to solve the problem of reducing the effectiveness of creams and superficial care. The procedure is not as radical as plastic surgery or injections, but its possibilities are not unlimited. To perform the procedure, use a roller with the finest needles. The length of the needles and their number depend on the area being treated. One device can have about two hundred needles.

Microneedling is supplemented with active substances and serums to enhance the rejuvenating effect. The roller is rolled over the skin with pressure. The resulting microtraumas are perceived by the body as a signal for tissue restoration and renewal. Thanks to punctures, drugs penetrate deep into the dermis faster. With surface application it is impossible to achieve such a result.

Thanks to microneedling, the following problems are solved:

reducing the number and depth of wrinkles;
reducing acne and chickenpox scars;
increasing skin tone;
getting rid of baldness;
getting rid of stretch marks and age-related hyperpigmentation.

Although the results are quite encouraging even without “doping”, there is no point in pinning huge hopes on microneedling without the use of comprehensive measures, special oils, and targeted serums.

How to do it

To carry out the procedure at home, you need to buy devices with a short needle length.

Small needles up to 0.3 mm are used to eliminate wrinkles around the eyes, as well as to solve problems with the scalp. First, a serum or a special prophylactic preparation is applied to the area of the skin, then it is treated with a roller. This procedure does not require pain relief and can be done every three days. Treatment with small needles improves complexion.
In order to treat the scalp, eliminate deeper wrinkles and perform lifting, needles 0.5 mm long are used. In this procedure, special products are used that are first applied to the skin. Longer needles ensure deep penetration of the substance into the epidermis layer. To achieve the effect, a long course of treatment is required.
To combat baldness, age spots on the face, combat enlarged pores and improve the condition of the epidermis in those over 40 years old, use 1 mm long needles. Using a roller with these needles can cause pain, so anesthesia must be administered before the procedure.

Mesoscooters with long needles cannot be used at home; they are used only in beauty salons. Home microneedling is carried out in the following sequence:

carry out cleansing of the skin with means intended for this purpose;
for disinfection, the roller is rolled in alcohol;
apply a special anesthesia cream containing lidocaine to the skin;
after some time, the anesthetic is removed with saline;
hyaluronic acid, elastin, vitamins, collagen or other substances and extracts for the mesoscooter are applied to the skin;
the skin area is rolled with a roller at least 5 times in different directions along the massage lines;
treat the skin with saline solution or apply a soothing serum to restore damaged skin.

§2. Procedure

Before microneedling, you need to cleanse your skin of makeup and impurities. An anesthetic gel is then applied to the patient's skin. When the skin is ready for the procedure, it is treated with active serum, which must be distributed evenly over the entire area, and a mesoscooter is passed along the massage lines.

The procedure will take about half an hour, depending on the area of skin being treated. At the end of microneedling, the skin must be treated with a disinfectant.

It is advisable to undergo not just one procedure, but the entire course. It will give a more tangible and lasting result.

Indications

With the help of microneedling in cosmetology, you can solve various problems. It is performed not only on the scalp and face, but also on the body to eliminate stretch marks, fight cellulite, and also improve skin color and tone. Treatment is recommended for baldness to activate hair follicles and enhance hair growth. After microneedling, hair does not split, becomes thicker, and looks healthy.

Microneedling can be a good alternative to chemical peeling and laser skin rejuvenation. It has been successfully carried out for:

increasing collagen production;
combating skin hyperpigmentation;
tightening the skin and improving facial contours;
combating post-acne scars, scars, enlarged pores;
increasing the elasticity of the skin, leveling the relief, increasing turgor;
moisturizing and rejuvenating the skin on the neck.

In the damaged area, blood circulation increases, cell division is activated, and new capillaries are formed.

Indications for facial microneedling procedure

Microneedling can solve a number of cosmetic problems. It is prescribed for the following age-related skin imperfections: sagging, sagging, wrinkles, dryness, hyperpigmentation. In addition, the procedure effectively fights scars and age spots caused by hormonal changes. Microneedling also restores the sensitivity of the epidermis and reduces pores after plastic surgery and deep chemical peels.

The procedure eliminates excess fat and greasiness of the epidermis, helps fight comedones and enlarged pores. Also effective for excessively dry and sensitive skin.

Microneedling is also used to combat the consequences of acne - scars, scars, redness. This procedure is also prescribed to prevent age-related skin changes.

Types of procedures

The best results are obtained by course application. The cycle includes five sessions. Correction can be carried out on the face, arms, chest, abdomen, hips, buttocks.

Roller devices are divided according to the length of the needles. In short ones (up to one millimeter in length), the action is superficial. These dermarollers can be used at home, but the effectiveness of this procedure is the least. Using devices with one and a half millimeter medium-sized needles, they successfully fight cellulite and deep wrinkles. Using rollers with long needles (up to two and a half millimeters), cosmetologists relieve clients of deep scars, stretch marks and “orange peel.”

Microneedling is divided into fractional and electric. The first option involves punctures with microneedles. The second is carried out with a unique laser without punctures. The technique is selected by a specialist, taking into account the objectives and the individual condition of the patient’s skin.

During fractional microneedling, individual problem areas are treated with a special device with microneedles. The sizes of needles and the depth of microinjection are selected for each client personally, depending on the type of problem. Noticeable results appear after the first session. Upon completion of five procedures, the skin of the problem area is almost completely renewed.

Fractional microneedling is effective for:

problems with post-acne and scars;
enlarged pores;
rosacea;
pigmentation;
wrinkles;
rosacea;
stretch marks.

The recovery period takes little time, and no doctor's supervision is required. Returning to your previous lifestyle is possible immediately.

Electric microneedling.

During electroporation or electrical microneedling, the role of microneedles is performed by pulsed currents of ultra-low amplitude. Thanks to them, healing drugs penetrate the skin. The non-injection technique is less painful. After it there are no hematomas or swelling left. There may be slight redness, which will disappear after a couple of days. For those with sensitive skin, this procedure option is ideal.