microneedling Tag

Trendy Skin Care Treatments That You Don’t Need

Your skin is your body’s largest organ and its first line of defense, so it is very important to take good care of it. If you have been looking for skin treatments that target acne, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, stretch marks, or cellulite, you may have stumbled upon various trendy skin treatments that claim to eliminate or reduce those skin imperfections.

Treatments such as at-home micro needling, at-home chemical peeling, and other DIY “miracle treatments” may actually do more harm for your skin than good.  Here is a brief guide on trendy skin treatments you simply do not need.

At-Home Microneedling

Many proponents of micro needling claim that this treatment can reduce or erase scars, wrinkles, and discoloration. Recently, there has been a surge of at-home micro needling kits and devices available for public use. Many medical professionals have urged users to be cautious when utilizing these at-home kits and devices since micro needling does, essentially, injure the skin in order to stimulate collagen production and induce repair. Since microneedle causes injury to the skin, improper use of this treatment system can cause bleeding, scarring, bruising, excessive pigmentation, and infection.

Because of the nature of micro needling, it is wise to go to a professional for this procedure. A healthy alternative to micro needling is using products that are medical grade and exclusively sold by dermatologists. These products typically have multiple clinical studies to guarantee the best results. Retinol, Vitamin C, and SPF are highly recommended. Retinol helps with cellular turnover, acne, as well as fine lines and wrinkles. In order to rep a bright flow and protect the skin from free radical damage, patients are encouraged to use vitamin C typically on a daily basis. SPF should be worn 365 days a year to block harmful UVA/UVB rays that cause premature aging.

At-Home Chemical Peels

Chemical peeling has become a widely sought-after procedure for those seeking to reduce or eliminate spots, blemishes, wrinkles, sun damage, acne scars, or hyperpigmentation. Skin peels with mild, medium and high concentrations are now widely available on the market and at-home skin peeling has become a very popular practice. Though these peels may seem enticing, many medium-depth and deep chemical peels can cause severe complications such as scarring, discoloration, and infection, especially when used without doctor supervision or sedation. Many people have reported that chemical peeling left their skin feeling extremely dry and sensitive. To avoid these complications and sensitivities, you may want to seek alternatives to chemical peeling. Some healthy alternatives to at home chemical peels include using glycolic acid cleansers and retinol to exfoliate chemically at home. If you decide to proceed with a chemical peel, do it under the supervision of a doctor.

Other At-Home Skin Treatments

Since the dawn of time people have been getting creative with at-home solutions for everything, and skin is no exception. You’ve probably heard many wives tales about ways to clear up your skin using just the ingredients around your house. While some of these may merit a little bit of truth, others completely miss the mark. For instance, some people try to use apple cider vinegar as a toner. This can burn your skin, which many mistakes for it working, while in reality, it’s just damaging your face. Another common DIY treatment is putting toothpaste on facial blemishes. While this isn’t incredibly damaging, there is very little evidence that this is actually an effective way to clear up your face.

If you hear of a skin care treatment that seems just good to be true, consult your dermatologist. Odds are, especially with dermatology, that there is a better safer solution waiting for you at your dermatologist’s office. If you have any questions about skin care treatments, call the experts at Universal Dermatology. Together, we will find a safe and healthy treatment plan for your skin.

What Are the Benefits of Microneedling?

Microneedling shrinks pores, gets rid of fine lines and wrinkles, and treats uneven pigmentation caused by sun damage, pollution, hormonal changes, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or a combination of the four. This minimally-invasive procedure can also improve the appearance of scars (including those caused by acne).

The Procedure What is Microneedling?

Some also refer to micro needling as collagen induction therapy because it triggers natural collagen production. This treatment can effectively rejuvenate your skin in just three sessions. Please note, though, that this is the minimum number of sessions, but can go higher depending on the skin’s condition. Scar reduction, for example, requires up to six sessions.

If you are thinking of going to your dermatologist to have this procedure, it’s important to keep in mind that collagen production peaks at two weeks after the treatment. The frequency of this procedure depends on the intensity. Mild micro needling sessions, for example, can be repeated once a month or every two weeks while deeper treatments specific for scar visibility reduction can be repeated every month or every six weeks.

Read “What is Microneedling?“ for a more detailed explanation of the procedure.

Reduces Fine Lines and Wrinkles

Microneedling can smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, which makes it a great solution for older men and women. In fact, this procedure is often associated specifically with the removal of fine lines although the treatment can do so much more. Microneedling is a simple yet very effective treatment that can benefit people of all ages.

Older individuals who want to get rid of their wrinkles can now have younger-looking skin faster. Many love this treatment because it is more natural since it encourages natural collagen production.

Effective Scar Treatment

Microneedling is an effective way to reduce the visibility of scars and is especially popular as an acne scar treatment. A 2009 study published in the Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery supports this claim. The researchers in this study invited participants who have acne scars to undergo micro-needling treatments. After the sessions, almost 100 percent of the participants reported a reduction of scar visibility.

A study published in the “Dermatologic Surgery Journal” in 2016 found that micro-needling is an effective procedure that gets rid of acne-related scarring. The study reports that the recovery time is markedly less and there are fewer side effects compared to other treatments for the same conditions.

Sun Damage and Pigmentation Reversal

Because of the treatment’s ability to encourage natural collagen production, it can reverse discoloration and damage caused by sun exposure. It is even effective in treating hyperpigmentation brought about by melasma. Several studies show that micro-needling has positive effects on blotchy pigmentations on the skin. According to the National Center for Biotechnology and Information (NCBI), the role of micro needling in melasma treatment is promising.

Smaller Pores

It sounds counter-intuitive, but microneedling actually reduces the size of your pores. Due to the amount of collagen produced by the skin after the treatment, the skin tightens and appears plumper than before. Because of this tightening effect, the pores become visibly smaller.

Better Absorption

Aside from the benefits mentioned above, regular microneedling sessions can also help your skin absorb beauty creams and other products better. Under normal circumstances, only 4 to 8 percent of beauty products can penetrate your skin. The tiny punctures on the skin made by the microneedles function as tiny channels that allow your creams and products to penetrate your skin more effectively.

If you would like to find out if microneedling is right for you, contact our office to schedule a consultation.

What is Microneedling?

Amidst the popularity of Botox and facelifts, there’s a new treatment in the world of anti-aging—microneedling. In our quest to fight the battle against aging, micro needling comes with the promise of youthful skin in as little as 3 to 6 sessions.

During the procedure, fine needles perform a controlled skin injury to reveal younger-looking skin. While this treatment has only gained popularity in recent years, it is not brand new. Experts in the field of dermatology have been performing this skin treatment for over 20 years, so it has been tried, tested, and deemed safe and effective. Aside from being administered on the face, microneedle therapy can also be performed on the arms, legs, abdomen, neck, and other body parts in need of a little pick-me-up.

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