MICRONEADLING. WHAT IS IT AND CAN I DO IT AT HOME?

Needle massage, microneedling, mesoscooters? What is all this? Is such a procedure effective?

INNA CODRU , DECEMBER 29, 2018

It sometimes seems that everyone who regularly practices microneedling at home (at least those I have come across) manages to achieve a pronounced complexion. Their skin is velvety-smooth and with a permanent radiance, like after a vacation, and it doesn’t matter if they were actually on vacation or not. Naturally, I became curious. And although I love to experiment, try something new at least once, this time I hesitated a little when I heard about what microneedling is.

Microneedling is a skin care regimen that involves piercing the skin with dozens of small needles using a tiny roller (mesoroller), which allows the active ingredients of the medications to penetrate deeper into the skin. The skin responds to these microscopic "wounds" by rebuilding and renewing your epidermis at the cellular level. Those who do this procedure regularly confirm that their skin has become better able to absorb skin care products. Others claim they do it to smooth out acne scars, but most do it simply to give their skin a healthy and natural texture, tone, and radiance.

IS MICRONEADLING SAFE?

And this is a completely logical question, because with regard to needles ... - aren't needles in the house a danger? It turns out that there has been quite a bit of research done on the safety and effectiveness of microneedling. One study showed that the use of anti-aging products in tandem with microneedling did not eliminate wrinkles, but improved the overall appearance, texture, tone, brightness of the skin, and a number of other indicators with small deviations in the results, but almost identical results. Other studies have concluded that after professional use for at least four weeks, skin appears younger and smoother than before.

This procedure is considered more gentle than laser treatment, peeling, and even more so than facial plastic surgery. Scientific evidence indicates that microneedling is a safe alternative for skin rejuvenation to more aggressive treatments that require a certain amount of recovery time after them.

There are professional microneedling equipment, for example, there is only one device in the USA approved by the US Food and Drug Administration , and it is intended for professional use. But what about microneedling at home? If I do not want or cannot go to a professional beautician for this procedure? We'll talk about this.

HOME MICRONNEEDLING VS PROFESSIONAL

“Microneedling at home is generally safe, as the needles for this procedure are only 0.25 millimeters deep,” says integrative dermatologist Cybela Fishman, MD. The only reason this procedure can become unsafe is if people overdo it with the pressure of the roller on the skin or do not keep the roller clean, which can cause infection,” she says. Diane Yerkes, chief esthetician at the New York Spa Clinic, agrees: "Microneedling at home is safe and effective, as long as you use the right tool," she confirms.

When it comes to microneedling at home, both experts agree that doing it at home is the best way to help with absorption of beauty products. “Mesoscooters improve the penetration of the product into the skin by almost 80 percent, and this greatly increases its effectiveness,” says Yerkes.

“The only thing to understand is that microneedling at home will not stimulate collagen production because the needles do not penetrate deep enough,” says Dr. Fishman. “Home microneedling rollers are useful primarily to the cosmetics you used penetrated deeper into the skin.” In other words, if you're looking for some serious acne scar resurfacing, wrinkle smoothing, or skin texture resurfacing, it's best to leave it to the pros. But if you want to experiment with microneedling to help your skin absorb your creams or oils, then this might be for you.

SO YOU DECIDED TO TRY MICRONNEEDLING

Diane Yerkes recommends looking for an instrument with needles that are well aligned and evenly spaced. “The difference between a good tool and a bad tool is precisely the correct placement of the needle,” she said.

Here's what experts advise on what you need to know before you start microneedling at home:

• Always check with your doctor and/or dermatologist before starting any new facial treatment, especially microneedling.


• Clean the roller after each(!) use by disinfecting it with alcohol.


• Don't push too hard - practice very gentle pressure and stop if you start to feel pain.


• Only use your skin care products such as serums, medicated oils and creams after microneedling.


• Make sure that your needles on the mesoscooter are not too long (their length should not exceed 0.25 mm).


• Replace the needles on the mesoscooter as often as necessary - if they become blunt, the procedure will not be as effective.


• Make it a habit to do microneedling as a skin care product at home a couple of times a week and gradually build up to daily use.