I love getting to do microneedling with clients because it is healthy for the skin, it's natural, and it's truly powerful for treating lines, sun damage, uneven skin tone and scarring.  

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What is microneedling?

 

Microneedling (also called "collagen induction therapy" ) generates new collagen and healthier skin tissue for smoother, firmer, more toned skin with reduced lines and wrinkles. Microneedling is mostly used on the face and neck and also treats scars, age spots, discolorations and large pores. Microneedling can only be performed by doctors and acupuncturists.   

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How does it work?

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Microneedling makes extremely small but very effective pathways into the dermis (the layer of the skin that contains the most collagen and elastin) to infuse it with hyaluronic acid, plant stem cells and herbal serums. With microneedling, the absorption of these nutrients for the skin is increased several thousand-fold compared to just applying them topically, and they can go directly into the dermis where they are most useful. The result is much healthier, plumper, toned and smooth skin. 

 

Microneedling is mostly used to improve skin tone and fill in lines and wrinkles naturally, and because microneedling can penetrate into the dermis it can also help reduce scars, ages spots and other discolorations. Microneedling is a sterile procedure and it does not create bleeding or peeling unlike many other types of facial treatments. It works by infusing the skin with important nutrients that plump and tone and balance, rather than by removing the top layers of the skin like a chemical peel. 

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​What does it treat?

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• Lines and wrinkles

• Sun damage

• Reduced skin elasticity

• Age spots

• Dark spots or patches on the skin

• Stretch marks

• Large pores

• Bags under the eyes

• Acne scars

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Microneedling is not for: 

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• Keloid growths and scars (can stimulate more growth)

• Moderate to severe skin conditions on the face (like eczema and psoriasis)

• Patients on chemo/radiation therapy

• Pregnancy (no known risks but this is recommended)​

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What is a microneedling session like?

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We'll start with a thorough check-in about your skin type and your most important hopes and goals for treatment.  The microneedling takes about 15 minutes and will be followed by red light therapy (which further stimulates collagen-elastin production and decreases inflammation) and gentle, restful acupuncture to balance the body and create peace and relaxation using the traditional Chinese meridian system.  The total treatment time is 60 minutes.

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Does it hurt?

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A bit! Microneedling does include a little bit of discomfort for most people but it is short-lived and on a scale of 1-10 my clients have told me that the most uncomfortable moments are a 2 or a 3. I have never had a patient decide not to continue with microneedling or not want to receive further treatments due to pain or discomfort, and the needles used are very fine and small. A few areas of the face tend to be more tender for most people (like the forehead) and we are only working on these areas about 30 seconds to one minute per treatment.  

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How long do results last?

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Because microneedling works by plumping, toning and nourishing the dermis, the results last until they naturally "age away" - in other words, the results last for quite a while and are recognized to last longer than injectable treatments.  Many people like to tune up and build on their initial microneedling series with a single session seasonally or a few times per year.

 

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How much does it cost and how many treatments do I need?

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A microneedling treatment costs $250/session, and although this might sound very expensive, many practitioners charge between $400 - $700 per treatment! I don't believe in charging that much for a treatment, which would make it prohibitive for many people to try and benefit from microneedling as a natural and non-invasive and effective way to care for their skin. And, the tools, products, supplies, devices and training that go into each microneedling treatment are very costly which is why these sessions cost more than a traditional acupuncture session or the other types of services that I offer.

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It is recommended to do four microneedling treatments total (spaced at least one month apart) to achieve the full potential of results. And, it is possible to do microneedling treatments as frequently as once per month for those who are very invested in the longevity and appearance of their skin. Although four treatments are the standard recommendation, you can always invest in a treatment and choose to invest further once you've had the experience and seen and felt the results!

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