Submitted by Twin City Plastic Surgery
HydraFacial and micro-needling are two very popular and effective skin treatments. Micro-needling is a non-surgical way to combat the signs of aging, rejuvenate the skin, and repair past skin damage. HydraFacial is one of the newest treatments to minimize fine lines and wrinkles, improve elasticity and firmness, even out skin tone, reduce enlarged pores, improve skin texture, lighten brown spots, or treat oily or congested skin. By combining both treatments, they work together to enhance the overall effectiveness.
Here’s a quick review of each procedure.
The HydraFacial MD® is a handheld device that is about the size of a large pen or marker. The basic steps of the process include cleaning and exfoliating the skin using layers of different cleansers and hyaluronic acid. Specially designed serums hydrate and moisturize to give skin an instant glow and improve skin health. All the treatments are infused to the skin through a special process which cleanses and treats the skin from the inside out.
The HydraFacial MD therapy can be used for any skin condition and there is no downtime. The three-step system can be completed in as little as a half hour. Step 1 cleanses and rids the skin of impurities. Excess oil and debris are extracted from pores using painless suction in Step 2. Step 3 saturates the skin’s surface with antioxidants and peptides to fuse and protect, locking in all the beneficial serums included in the process.
Micro-needling 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 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.
Micro-needling involves very little downtime; however, most people experience a sunburn-like redness for a day or two post-treatment. It 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. Possibly the greatest benefit of micro-needling is that it 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.
There are DIY versions of micro-needling therapy, but these not only pose significant risks, they may not even be 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 injury to the skin.
To get the maximum benefit from both treatments, start out with the relaxing HydraFacial, to really get in there and clean the skin before having a micro-needling treatment. Treatment time is an optimal time for the specialized topical serums and creams to be absorbed more effectively into the skin for additional healing benefits. It is best to seek out a trained professional who can administer the treatments safely and effectively, determine the number of sessions needed, the products to be used in conjunction with treatment, and provide the best follow up care and advice.
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 www.twincityplasticsurgery.com or www.oasismedicalspaandwellness.com. They offer a wide array of services to improve the look and health of your skin. Set up a consultation to determine what treatments are best for you.