Microneedling w/PRF is used to treat many skin–texture issues, including acne, surgery scars and other scars, large pores, wrinkles, and uneven pigmentation caused by the sun and hormone changes. Microneedling is a method used to treat many different skin conditions. The technique involves using multiple tiny, sterile needles to puncture the skin and cause physical trauma. This trauma prompts the derma, a deeper layer of skin, to rebuild. Microneedling may help address many skin-related complaints, including:

• Acne

• Wrinkles

• Scarring

• Alopecia

• Skin Pigmentation Issues

• Stretch Marks

• Loose Skin

• Rosacea

What is Microneedling?

Microneedling, also called percutaneous collagen induction therapy, is performed using a handheld pen-shaped device, electrically powered, with tiny needles that make precise, microscopic punctures in the skin. These “micro-injuries” do not leave scars; they work by helping to stimulate the skin to repair itself naturally through a process called dermal remodeling. This process starts with inflammation, which stimulates the skin to produce new collagen (the elastic fibers that make skin tight, smooth, and youthful). Collagen levels in the skin decline as we age, and new collagen can be produced when the skin is in repair mode.

How Does Microneedling Work?

Microneedling increases the production of collagen and other healing factors by causing trauma to the skin. Collagen is an essential protein that helps keep the skin looking youthful, with a firm, smooth, and stretchy texture. Aging causes the decline of collagen in the skin, contributing to wrinkles and other signs of aging. Skin can also lose collagen due to injuries, such as acne scarring, stretch marks, or other scars. It is important to realize that microneedling is not a quick fix, as it involves the growth of new skin. It can take several months for a person to see the full results of the procedure. Microneedling works by encouraging your skin to make more collagen. The idea is that pinpricks from the procedure cause slight injury to the skin and that the skin responds by making new collagen-rich tissue. This new skin tissue is, in turn, more even in tone and texture. It’s normal for the skin to lose collagen via age or injury. By encouraging the skin to make new tissue, there may be more collagen to help make the skin firmer, too.

What Does Microneedling Treat?

Microneedling is used to treat a variety of skin conditions that cause depressions in the skin such as acne scarring, surgical scars, other scars, burns, enlarged pores, wrinkles, and stretch marks. Because microneedling does not deliver heat to the skin like lasers do, people who have melasma (dark patches of skin) and hyperpigmentation (dark spots on the skin) can undergo microneedling without the risk of worsening pigmentation problems. (Darker skin is susceptible to pigmentation changes as a post-inflammatory response.) Microneedling is sometimes used to help topical skin treatments to penetrate the skin more effectively. For example, microneedling is sometimes performed before application of minoxidil, used to treat common hair loss (androgenic alopecia, which affects both men and women).

Microneedling Risks

The Medical community generally considers microneedling to be safe and effective, but there are still some risks. The primary risk is skin irritation after the procedure. Other side effects could include:

• Bruising

• Dryness

• Flaking of the skin

• Swelling

• Discomfort at the site

• Redness

Bleeding is an uncommon reaction to microneedling, though it may be more likely to occur after a deeper treatment. Bleeding may also be more of a risk for people who have bleeding disorders or who are taking blood-thinning medications. It is important to disclose this information to a doctor before receiving this treatment. There is also a risk of more serious side effects, including:

• Infection

• Skin pigment changes

• Reaction to topical medications used during treatment

Finally, some people are not candidates for microneedling treatment, including those with:

• Active skin infections

• Scarring

• An unstable skin type

• Active acne

About the Procedure

Though the thought of needles may make you cringe, microneedling is not painful. We generally apply a topical anesthetic cream beforehand to help numb the area being treated. It has few side effects other than temporary redness and swelling post-treatment. Microneedling typically has a shorter recovery time compared to the lasers or chemical peels that are also used to help resurface the skin and improve its texture.

Microneedling with Platelet Rich Fibrin

Platelet-Rich Fibrin, also known as PRF is an FDA-approved comprehensive therapy that is employed in enhancing the natural healing process. A sample of blood is drawn and spun down in a centrifuge to separate the blood components. This process extracts the stem cells and platelets for using them along with the microneedling process. The cells that contain growth factors and healing proteins are derived from your blood to promote a fast recovery and better results. When a PRF derivative is placed on the target region, platelets are activated leading to the release of various regenerative proteins that have many benefits. PRF is employed in microneedling treatments to naturally increase the treatment outcomes. PRF is introduced into the micro-injuries to enhance and improve the body's ability to heal. This process works to refresh the skin by giving a smoother, firmer, and more youthful look to the skin.

What to Expect Post-Microneedling Procedure

The skin may look reddish or pink immediately after the treatment, which may look like a sunburn. There are also reported cases of itching, peeling, redness, discomfort, tightness, roughness, burning, and tenderness in the skin. These effects are found to be resolved in a majority of patients within the first 24 hours although they may extend up to 2 days. The intensity of these side effects depends on the sensitivity of the skin and the aggressive nature of the treatment.

Post-Treatment Care

Your provider will suggest which medications you must avoid days after the procedure, but anti-inflammatory medicine is surely restricted on the day of the procedure. Be sure to not perform any strenuous activity to avoid sweat, bacteria, or any kind of dirt and chemicals on the skin while it is healing. Do not wash your face, swim, or go out in the sun the next day. The day after the procedure, you may start applying makeup after cleaning your face, but avoid using alcohol-based products and exfoliants made with glycolic acids. There may be some amount of flaking or dryness in the skin due to the rapid growth of cells. This can be smoothened by the use of a normal moisturizer.

What NOT to do Following Microneedling

Avoid direct sun exposure for 3-5 days and keep your face protected with sunscreen (use a minimum of an SPF 30).