Dr. Trott's point of view
“Controlled injury plus your own platelets is how skin is convinced to rebuild. Precise depth is why some patients glow and others just get pink.”
Suzanne A. Trott, M.D., F.A.C.S.
About Dr. Trott →01
Best Candidates
The best candidates for radio frequency microneedling may exhibit the following skin problems:
- Uneven skin tone
- Redness or hyperpigmentation
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Acne scars
- Skin laxity
- Sun damage and/or sun spots
- Rough texture
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What to Expect
Prior to the procedure, the treated area is cleaned and a thin layer of a topical gel is applied to numb the skin. The doctor will apply a sterile cartridge-tip with 12 micro-needles to a handheld device. The device will be pressed gently across the skin, gliding in one direction until the entire area has been treated. The feeling is comparable to sand paper moving over the skin. The procedure will result in tiny holes, known as micro channels, on the skin which will close almost immediately, triggering a healing response. This results in renewed skin, including a thickened dermis, which will soften the appearance of lines, wrinkles and scars. The procedure takes around 15 – 30 minutes.
A patient can expect the treated area to appear bright red, similar to a sunburn, immediately after microneedling. The redness can last anywhere from a day to up to a week. The intensity and duration of the redness are dependent upon the number of passes performed on the treatment area, as well as the particular area treated since microneedling can be performed on the face, neck, arms and décolleté. In some cases, there’s pinpoint bleeding. Since microneedling allows improved absorption of creams, gels and serums, a doctor will determine the best products for the patient post-procedure. These can include bleaching or lightening serums, vitamin C or hyaluronic serums to accelerate results
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Other Considerations
Right after the procedure, patients can expect the skin to glow. Over the course of a few weeks, a patient can expect to see a marked improvement in skin’s color, tone and texture. In addition, there should be a drastic reduction of lines and wrinkles. Microneedling is also effective in diminishing acne and traumatic scars and stretch marks. A patient’s appearance can continue to improve up to 6 months following initial treatment. While some patients benefit from a single treatment, 2 – 3 treatments are advised to get the best possible results. We will work closely with a patient to develop the right course of treatment based on his or her individual needs.
References
Further reading & sources
- Microneedling devices: FDA guidanceU.S. Food & Drug Administration
- Microneedling with PRP for scarring and skin texturePubMed / National Library of Medicine
- Acne scarring treatment optionsAmerican Academy of Dermatology
Q&A
Frequently asked
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