Microneedling (also known as collagen induction therapy) involves using fine needles to create hundreds of tiny, invisible puncture wounds in the top layer of skin. Sound appealing? Not so much. But this minimally invasive treatment, is virtually painless and incredibly effective. “The micro-injuries you create stimulates the body’s natural wound healing processes, resulting in cell turnover and increased collagen and elastin production, therefore reversing as well as preventing signs of aging. It works the same way lasers do, only you’re injuring the skin mechanically instead of using heat or light. Believe it or not, microneedling has become hugely popular among skincare fanatics—Vogue is calling it the next big thing in anti-aging.
The primary appeal of microneedling is its ability to stimulate growth of collagen and elastin, which is the key to new, youthful-looking skin. Some doctors would even go so far as to say that the procedure is the most powerful way to stop aging in its tracks and prevent new fine lines and wrinkles from forming. With its ability to trigger the generation of new skin cells, just a few sessions of microneedling will noticeably reduce fine lines, crow’s feet, and deep wrinkles on the forehead. “This is one of the reasons I like microneedling—because it’s able to utilize the body’s own natural healing mechanisms, so the results are very natural. Also because there’s minimal downtime with it, I often recommend it as a maintenance for people who are trying to stave off the signs of aging.
On top of microneedling’s ability to smooth and correct damaged skin, it also has the added bonus of tightening loose skin, which makes it great for older men and women.
In a 2009 study on the effects of microneedling, nearly 100 percent of acne-scarred participants reported a marked improvement in the visibility of their acne scars. For severe acne scars, you may need even longer needles for maximum results.
Once again, collagen is arguably the most vital way to improve the look of skin, and this goes far beyond reducing wrinkles. By stimulating collagen growth with microneedling, you can also reverse sun damage and discoloration, including the hyperpigmentation that comes with melasma. A 2015 study showed microneedling to be a promising treatment for the blotchy, brownish facial pigmentation that comes with this chronic condition.
It’s a bit counter-intuitive, but microneedling doesn’t actually enlarge pores as you might imagine piercing your skin hundreds of times would. Rather, one major benefit of microneedling is that it helps pores appear much smaller. Microneedling stimulates collagen in and around your pores, which causes them to plump and appear shrunken, if not closed. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t want smaller pores?