Submitted by Twin City Plastic Surgery and Oasis Medical Spa & Wellness
Many people are looking for a non-surgical way to combat the signs of aging skin. Certain interventions, such as BOTOX injections, chemical peels, and dermal fillers have been available for quite some time. However, there is another option that is rapidly gaining momentum as an effective method for rejuvenating the skin and repairing past skin damage. Permanently.
Micro-needling, also known as Percutaneous Collagen Induction Therapy (PCIT), is a therapy that has been around since the early 1950s. The therapy has recently received more attention because the equipment for performing it has been improved and perfected. The concept is simple: a specialized “pen,” containing a dozen or more very tiny needles, is expertly glided across the skin by a trained technician to create thousands of microscopic channels or “injuries.” This triggers the body to release its own natural growth factors in response, specifically new collagen and elastin, in a way only the body can do, delivering the purest form of each internally, without additives or preservatives. The result is smoother, younger-looking skin.
These channels have the additional benefit of allowing the technician to “assist” the body in the delivery of its own natural growth factors. Treatment time becomes an optimal time to deliver specialized topical serums and creams to be absorbed more effectively into the skin for additional healing benefits. These products can be applied before, during, or after micro-needling treatment.
Possibly the greatest benefit of micro-needling over other treatments is that while the results of injectables are temporary and the treatment itself needs to be repeated to restore results, micro-needling is a therapy which actually helps the skin heal itself permanently. Several micro-needling treatments are needed initially, generally spaced a month apart, but after that, the results are long lasting.
Micro-needling is extremely effective for treating a variety of skin conditions including wrinkles, scarring, (including acne scarring), stretch marks from pregnancy or weight loss/gain, texture or dryness problems, and hyper-pigmentation issues. Additionally, it has the advantage of being utilized on skin that otherwise may not be well-suited to the irritation of chemical peels or the heat of lasers. Micro-needling involves very little downtime, and most people experience a sunburn-like redness for a day or two post-treatment.
There are DIY versions of this therapy that you may see advertised, but these not only pose significant risks, they may not be that effective due to limitations on the length of the needles. Without a medical-grade device used by a skilled technician, it is very easy for the tool to be improperly used, leading to infection or further damage to the skin itself.
Micro-needling walks a very fine, but beneficial, line of minimizing “damage” but maximizing results by delivering just enough stimulative injury to the skin. To benefit from micro-needling therapy, it is best to seek out a trained professional who can administer the treatment safely and effectively, determine the number of sessions needed, the products to be used in conjunction with treatment, the most beneficial depth of treatment for the specific areas being done, and provide the best follow-up care and advice.
The surgeons of Twin City Plastic Surgery and Oasis Medical Spa & Wellness are excited to announce the addition of micro-needling to their suite of services offered. Give them a call at 309-662-6772 to set up a consultation to determine if this amazing treatment is right for you!
Board-certified plastic surgeons Laura C. Randolph, Chad Tattini, and Paige Holt, along with their professional and compassionate staff, comprise Twin City Plastic Surgery who also own and manage Oasis Medical Spa & Wellness. TCPS and Oasis are located in their Bloomington office at 2502 East Empire Street, Suite C, one mile east of Veterans Parkway. More information on TCPS’s surgical practice or Oasis Medical Spa’s services and treatments is available by calling their office at 309-662-6772 or visiting online at twincityplasticsurgery.com or oasismedicalspaandwellness.com.