Micro-skin needling is a collagen induction treatment which is delivered by  Julie and Cheryl, our Aesthetic Therapists. It is a procedure that stimulates the skin to regenerate and repair itself naturally, resulting in smoother, brighter, younger and healthier looking skin.  It is a clinically proven treatment, shown to be extremely beneficial in improving the appearance of:

• Acne scars;
• Photo-damage & pigmentation (age spots);
• Facial and décolletage lines and wrinkles; and
• Stretch marks

Skin needling stimulates a totally natural response in the skin, and so the results it achieves look completely natural too. It can be used on all areas of the face and body, including the décolletage.

How does microneedling  work?

Microneedling is undertaken using the advanced SkinPen device. This uses 14 needles up to 2.5 mm in length, creating 16,000 insertions in the epidermis and dermis layers of the skin per second.

The micro-channels created by the needling will close, but the physiological repair process causes fresh production of a protein called collagen.  This key protein is important for firm, vibrant skin, but unfortunately the body’s production of it diminishes with age.  It is for this reason that micro-needling, causing a boost to collagen production, is often referred to as “˜collagen induction therapy’.

Micro-needling is not a new treatment, and you may have heard of it in the context of handheld rollers. However, the benefits of using an electronic device are that they penetrate deeper, and offer vastly superior control, precision and consistency.  Our therapists have used a number of such devices, but we find the SkinPen to be the most effective and comfortable for patients.

The procedure

Although the needles used by the SkinPen are extremely fine, for patient comfort we supply patients with a topical anaesthetic for application prior to your appointment. At the start of your treatment a serum will be applied to the skin, and then your therapist will conduct the procedure, producing thousands of micro-needle columns in the skin.  If appropriate, specialist serums may be introduced, such as those containing brightening agents (for pigmentation), or growth factors (to help with signs of ageing). Because the serums flow through the micro-channels produced by the needling process, they can act at a much deeper, less superficial part of the skin.

Immediately after your treatment you will look as though you have moderate sunburn, and your skin may feel warmer and tighter than usual.  If treatment has been to the face, you will be able to relax for a few minutes with a soothing mask, the contents of which are gradually absorbed by the skin. We will apply a calming serum and then a broad spectrum sun protection cream.

Before you leave you may chose to assist your skin in its recovery by going under our specialist Dermalux LED lights, for their calming effect.

Your skin is likely to remain pinky red for up to 2-3 days (longer in delicate areas and with some skin types). Make-up must not be worn for the first 48 hours. We provide a box with 2 take home products to be used, and ask that you avoid any over the counter skin products during the first few days. Suncream is, however, essential during that time.

What results can you expect?

After your procedure, you can expect to see improvement in your skin’s texture and tone, and this improvement will continue over the first three months or so, as the new collagen cells become effective. As collagen is a natural substance, produced by the body, the effect will also be very natural.

How many treatments will I need?

This will depend on the condition being treated, and the nature of your skin.  Typically, a course of anti-ageing or anti-pigmentation treatment would consist of six sessions. Severe scarring and stretch marks may require more treatments. Repeat treatments are ideally undertaken approximately four weeks apart.

We recommend that you repeat a course of treatment annually, with repeat courses being either 3 or 6 sessions.

Contra-indications

Although microneedling is generally suitable for all skin types, there are circumstances where it is strictly contra-indicated, namely:

• treatment of patients with skin cancer
• treatment of patients with keloids
• treatment of patients with active herpes simplex
• treatment of patients with active acne – papules or pustules – or other skin infections in the area to be treated.

Patients with the following medical conditions may be treated cautiously, if appropriate:

• Patients receiving anti-coagulant-therapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or taking high doses of steroids.
• Patients planning for pregnancy, or are pregnant, or are lactating.
• Minors

Cost of treatment

The cost of treatment will vary according to the time spent, which in turn will vary according to the area to be treated. The charge for a single treatment to the face, or to the neck/décolletage, is typically £250, though if booked and paid for at the same together a course of three treatment sessions would be £660 (representing a 12% discount), or £1,200 for a course of six (representing a 20% discount).

Many patients follow their treatment with Dermalux LED light therapy, the cost of which is £25 (as opposed to the normal £40) for a 30 minute session. This will not only reduce the downtime (redness) but also provide further antiageing/ general skin benefits.

For scars, treatment of microneedling to a small affected area would be of the order of £175, with a discount of 20% applied when a course of six are booked and paid for.

The cost of treatment includes assessment, examination, treatment and after care products (2 post-procedure soothing serums to take home and, of course, SPF application before you leave clinic).  Additional products used during the procedure, such as brightening agents (for pigmentation), or growth factors (to help with signs of ageing), are an additional charge.