MicroNeedling Overview
Treats: Fine lines, mild skin laxity, acne scarring, and enlarged pores
Length: 1 hour
Anesthesia: Topical numbing cream
In/Outpatient: Outpatient
Side Effects: Skin swelling and redness for 1-3 days
Risks: Minimal when this treatment is performed by an experienced provider
Recovery: 12-24 hours
Duration of Results: Once full results are achieved, maintenance treatments will likely be needed every 6-12 months
Remarkable Care, Exceptional Results
“I had a microneedling done 2 weeks ago at Carolina Facial Plastics by Terry who was absolutely awesome. She took her time with me and listened to my skin concerns. Nothing felt rushed (this includes our conversations and the microneedling procedure). She provided me with very helpful knowledge about skincare too. I felt very comfortable and welcomed by everyone and I look forward to coming back again soon!”
-jordham, RealSelf
Video
Microneedling is an FDA-approved, non-surgical treatment that addresses fine lines, mild skin laxity, acne scarring, and enlarged pores. Microneedling uses a pen-like device with tiny needles to create micro-injuries to the dermal layers. The injuries stimulate the body’s healing processes, turning back signs of aging from the inside out.
The top aesthetic destination of the south, Carolina Facial Plastics, is led by double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Jonathan Kulbersh. With his team of cosmetic experts, a fully accredited surgery center, and a private recovery retreat all located in the heart of SouthPark, Carolina Facial Plastics is known for unparalleled and natural-looking results exclusively for the face.
The body has a miraculous ability to heal itself. During a microneedling procedure, we harness that ability to improve the quality and texture of the skin. The microneedling process creates injuries, and the injured skin responds by releasing multiple growth factors that stimulate new collagen and elastin formation. Increased collagen and elastin create smoother, more youthful skin at the cellular level.
There are a variety of microneedling devices used in Charlotte. At Carolina Facial Plastics, we chose our device carefully to ensure our patients achieve the highest improvement levels. Our medical aesthetician Terri Edson has also performed over 3,000 microneedling procedures, providing our patients with experienced care and safe, effective procedures.
The microneedling device we use is called the Rejuvapen. Rejuvapen is one of the oldest scientifically-proven microneedling devices. At Carolina Facial Plastics, we do our best to have the best devices available for our patients to ensure superior outcomes.
To learn more about microneedling, go to ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
Microneedling treatments offer a bevy of benefits, including:
- Skin rejuvenation
- Reduction in fine lines and wrinkles
- Skin tightening
- Improvement in skin texture and tone
- Reduction in pore size
- Reduction in acne scarring and other facial scars
Our staff will evaluate your skin and discuss your concerns with you to determine whether microneedling is the right choice for you.
Microneedling treatments require minimal post-treatment downtime. The procedure can be tailored to the specific goals of the patients through various settings on the device. On the gentle settings, there will be little to no downtime. If the patient is looking for more robust results or has advanced aging concerns, there will be a recovery process:
Day 1: There is a red appearance to the skin, similar to a sunburn.
Day 2: A red or pink hue persists like a moderate sunburn. Minor swelling may be present on the second day.
Day 3: Skin can be pink or return to normal color by this time, with swelling subsiding.
If you are interested in learning more about microneedling or Rejuvapen, please call our office at (704) 842-3644 or fill out the online contact form.
Frequently asked questions
While microneedling is a good treatment choice for many patients, it is not right for everyone. A patient with any of the following conditions would not be able to undergo a microneedling procedure:
- Immunosuppression
- Diabetes
- Pustular or nodular rosacea
- Patients on anticoagulant medications
- Pregnancy
- Inflamed or active acne
We advise patients to take a few steps before their procedure:
- Discontinue use of Vitamin A derivatives (Retin-A), auto-immune therapies, photosensitizing drugs, and topical medications 72 hours before treatment
- No Accutane treatments 6 months before treatment
- No prolonged sun exposure or sunburns on the treatment area 24 hours before treatment
- The skin should be clean and makeup-free
We advise the following steps after your Rejuvapen treatment:
- Protect skin from sun exposure by using a Rejuvapen-approved SPF moisturizer – avoid direct sun exposure for 3-5 days and no chemical sunscreens for 24 hours after treatment
- Rejuvapen approved cosmetics may be applied but do not apply traditional cosmetics for at least 24 hours
- No shaving for at least 72 hours
- Avoid toners with an alcohol base for at least 14 days post-treatment
- Patients may return to their regular skin care regimen after 48 hours
Microneedling results develop as the body heals itself in response to micro-injuries. A series of treatment sessions typically produces the best result. Depending on the condition and the severity of the problem, patients may require 3-6 treatment sessions.
We recommend waiting approximately 30 days between each procedure. This allows ample time for your skin to completely heal before undergoing another treatment.
We go to great lengths to ensure the procedures are comfortable for our patients. We apply medical-grade numbing cream to the treatment area before the microneedling procedure. Using this technique, patients feel little discomfort during the treatment.
Each treatment session will take about one hour. It takes 30 minutes for the numbing cream to take full effect. The process takes about 15 minutes and there is 15 minutes of after care.
Do not undergo a Rejuvapen procedure within 2 weeks of injections of dermal fillers to avoid a potential inflammatory response.