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Microneedling

Introduction

Microneedling Skincare, for younger, more rejuvenated skin.

If you are exploring options to create glowing, rejuvenated skin, then you might want to consider clinical microneedling.  Clinical microneedling is a proven non-invasive skincare service that is built on decades of clinical research that reduces the appearance of fine lines, scars, and wrinkles.

Clinical microneedling can be an excellent choice over derma rolling or even laser resurfacing treatments.  It's also a more cost effective option than plastic surgery. Given the amount of options and information it can often be difficult to determine how microneedling could be the right option for you.

If you are considering microneedling, you likely have a number of questions, including:

  • What is microneedling?
  • How much does it cost to have microneedling done, and what are the upkeep costs?
  • How can microneedling help me?
  • How long will the effects of microneedling last?
  • What are the risks in having microneedling?
  • What are the alternatives to getting microneedling?

This webpage provides important facts on microneedling as a professional skincare treatment to help you be more informed, supporting you to make the right choice for your face, skin type and conditions. Using these questions as a guide, this webpage describes the most common information related to microneedling, and discusses the factors involved in choosing, scheduling, and maintaining microneedling.

Intended Audience

This webpage is intended for clients who are looking for background information on microneedling as a professional skincare option in order to support informed decision making regarding service selection, purchasing, and maintenance.  The information provided here is general, and specific details may vary depending on your skin type, specific skin concerns, and service provider.  This webpage should not replace working with a dermatologist, your physician, or a skincare professional, who will ensure that your microneedling experience meets your needs and goals.

A Note About Cosmetic Decisions and Our Personal Health

Microneedling and professional skincare in general is an effective way to support your skincare goals.  In thinking about microneedling in the context of your overall health and wellness, it is recommended that you factor in your state of mental well-being, as well as your body's ability to heal from a microneedling procedure when subscribing to a microneedling service.

Cosmetic products or services should never be used to mask what could be an underlying medical condition.  Please consult first with your primary physician before subscribing to any cosmetic products or aesthetic services.

What is Microneedling, and How Does It Work?

Microneedling is a popular cosmetic skincare procedure that involves a machine pen containing up to 12 clinical-grade pins that move in rapid succession creating fine perforations within the epidermis.

This particular treatment with IVONNE is uniquely combined with AnteAGE next-generation cytokine serum which:

  1. Offers the least inflammation over all other regenerative skin treatments
  2. Uses the body’s natural healing mechanism by leveraging the power of growth factors
  3. Aims to offer a gentle and natural way to reverse or slow down the effects of aging, temporarily halting, stopping and arresting inflammation in the skin.

Microneedling is perfect for anyone wanting to address fine lines, wrinkles or sun/aging spots or to resolve some scar tissue.

Recommended 3-6 treatments and use of home serum and accelerator for best results.

Skincare Basic Concepts

Microneedling has been a technique used for decades as a means of creating micro injuries within the skin to kick off a cascade of restorative sequences, leaving the skin looking more youthful.

What Does Microneedling Resolve?

Microneedling is a popular treatment that may help resolve the appearance of hyperpigmentation, fine lines, or even wrinkles.
It helps to prompt the derma, a deeper layer of skin, to rebuild, and is used to increase absorption of hyaluronic acid or stem cytokines.

Microneedling may even be used to help smoothen or even the skin before Camouflage Tattoo.

Important Terminology for Microneedling

Here are some common terms you may come across while investigating microneedling.

A Skincare professional, medical aesthetician, or skincare technician is a non-regulated non-healthcare professional who performs Microneedling, and who may have received formal, or informal training or certification. They may even work in collaboration with, or under the direction of a physician, or a regulated healthcare professional.

The dermis is a layer of skin between the epidermis and tissue beneath the skin.

The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin that we can see with our eyes.

About Microneedling

Examples of Microneedling Results

Before and After Photos of Microneedling

There are many great examples showing both before and after results for microneedling. For a collection of exclusive examples of work performed at IVONNE please email us at reception @ivonne.ca

Contraindications of Microneedling

A contraindication is a specific situation in which a procedure or treatment should not be used because it may be harmful to the client. There are over a 100 possible contraindications that could impact whether Microneedling is right for you. Click here to learn more.

Alternatives To Microneedling

Having our skin inspired with hyaluronic acid can leave us feeling invigorated and refreshed. There are however other aesthetic treatments that can achieve similar or comparable effects. These include:

  • Chemical Peels
  • A professional, at-home, skincare routine, including at-home microneedling
  • Laser resurfacing or other light or laser modalities

Skincare starts with protection first. Incorporating the regular use of an SPF sunblock and staying hydrated, together with other lifestyle choices is an important foundation to healthy skin.

How Long Will The Effects of Microneedling Last?

Microneedling, after 6 sessions spread 1 month apart can last for up to a year or longer. It is important to keep in mind that the effects of aging continue, and additional supportive sessions may be required for years to come.

There are general factors that impact the effect of microneedling:

  • Lifestyle
  • Adherence to precare and aftercare instructions around the microneedling service
  • Smoking
  • Exposure to sun and other environmental influences
  • Genetics
  • Daily Skincare and Skin health

Certification, Standards, and Rating 

The Province of Ontario, through its local Public Health Units oversee microneedling as a Personal Care Service under O. Reg 136/18. Through annual, or period inspections, Public Health officers of a local Public Health Unit will assess a Personal Service Setting for its compliance with the regulations and report its findings to the public through the mandatory display of inspection certificates, and through its online database of inspection results.

Public health units do not assess the practitioner's skill, ability, or credentials as it relates to microneedling. Instead public health inspectors ensure that the environment and related processes to deliver microneedling are safe, and in accordance with the prevailing Infection Prevention And Control best practices.

Health Canada is responsible for overseeing regulation of cosmetics and medical equipment in Canada. Through their regulations they have set out what ingredients are permitted, and what devices must be registered.

Health Canada does not have an approval process for cosmetics, and does not, as an ongoing practice assess every cosmetic for its chemical or toxic ingredient composition.

Safety Considerations

To ensure that your microneedling professional is complying with the established safety protocols and regulations it is recommended  to search the name of their business in any local Public Health Inspections database.

Where To Get Microneedling

When choosing a microneedling professional for microneedling consider the following:

  • Am I comfortable with them? Can I communicate my expectations clearly and do we understand each other? Do we have a good rapport?
  • Am I comfortable with their results? Do I have practical expectations, and can I commit to a long term skincare plan?

Other Selection Criteria

Apart from safety and inspiring results, several additional qualifying factors should be considered when choosing a microneedling professional:

  • Professional Contributions and Development: Does the professional maintain their certifications, as well as teach their skill? Through sharing their techniques with other students is the professional helping to contribute to the ongoing development of locally talented resources?
  • Review Rating: Choose a professional with recent, consistent client reviews and recommendations in an established review platform.  
  • Calibre: Choosing a microneedling professional who specializes in the service is an important distinction over those who moonlight, or dabble in it only occasionally. Skincare is very much a full-time commitment and requires an ongoing concerted effort to understand clients needs.

Planning Your Microneedling Service

Microneedling should always be performed by a qualified provider. Consult your dermatologist or a local skincare clinic to understand your options. You should choose a provider that is located close by so that you can access them easily for follow-up appointments, or to receive any additional skincare or aftercare support.  While out of town and fly-in clients are increasingly common we recommend choosing a professional that you can work with for years to come.

The cost of having microneedling depends on the area to be addressed, the depth of skin, quality of equipment and supplies, the experience and setting of the professional, and of course your objectives and budget.

Great skin needs life-long care. It's a good idea to keep your microneedling appointments booked according to the follow-up schedule that your professional sets i.e. once a month for six months.

Scheduling Your Microneedling Service

It is recommended to first request an official cost estimate request ("quote") and/or a virtual consultation with your microneedling professional before proceeding with any service. This can be done several months before scheduling your appointment.

Once you have made the decision to proceed with microneedling be sure to schedule both your initial appointment and your follow-ups for the next 6 months. Doing so ensures that you have access to critically-timed follow-ups to maximize the results.

During the scheduled appointment your microneedling professional will perform consultation where you will:

  • Assess your skin, and discuss any concerns and objectives
  • Discuss relevant at-home skincare products 
  • Finalize your skincare plan

Your initial microneedling treatment will take approximately 1 hour (depending on the area of the body to be treated). It's a great idea to plan your day by having a snack before your appointment and using the toilet when you arrive.

Microneedling Precare Instructions

Thank you for choosing IVONNE as your Permanent Makeup and Skincare clinic. We know that you spent a lot of time researching the best provider for you. The instructions in this booklet have been prepared specifically for clients of IVONNE who are considering or preparing for Microneedling treatment at our clinic. The instructions below have been set out chronologically, allowing you to follow along according to the timeline in your microneedling treatment. It is strongly recommended that you read through the instructions completely at least once prior to your appointment. Following these instructions prior to your procedure will help ensure a more relaxed, comfortable, and enjoyable experience.

The precare instructions for IVONNE microneedling are proprietary information, customized to our unique blend of skincare and processes, that are only available upon scheduling your microneedling appointment. You may download a copy of the IVONNE precare and aftercare instructions from the appointment confirmation email, or you may also request a copy of the IVONNE precare and aftercare instructions in advance by emailing us at reception@ivonnesanchez.com.

Follow These Important Steps Before Your Microneedling Appointment

You will be having a skin treatment on the day of your appointment. Please follow the instructions below to prepare:

  • Use of AlumierMD home care products prior to your microneedling are recommended to prepare the skin, allow for better treatment results and reduce the risk of complications.  Please consult your skin care professional for appropriate recommendations for your skin type and condition.

It is recommended that you take the following into consideration:

  • For best results and to reduce the risk of complications, it is recommended that you use AlumierMD home care products for 10 to 14 days prior to treatment.
  • If you are lactating, pregnant, or may be pregnant, consult with your physician before receiving any treatment.
  • Avoid sun exposure and tanning beds for at least two weeks prior to treatment.
  • Avoid the use of retinoid products (eg retinol, Retin A, Tazorac) and high levels of AHA and BHA products for approximately 7 days prior to treatment.  Consult your physician before temporarily discontinuing the use of any prescription medications.

Microneedling result in minimal to no downtime but create dramatic and visible results.  Treatments may cause slight redness, tightness, peeling, flaking or temporary dryness. Most clients do not find it necessary to apply makeup, as the skin will be smooth, dewy, and radiant following your treatment. 

Microneedling Aftercare Instructions

Follow These Important Steps After Your Microneedling Appointment

Your microneedling treatment has been performed with sterile, single-use cartridges and the highest quality ingredients. The quality of your results is dependent on you giving the proper care during the healing process from this point forward. A few days of simple care will make a noticeable and permanent difference!

DAY OF PROCEDURE:

Clients should not:
  • Apply regular make-up for a minimum of 12 hours after the treatment.
  • Use any Alpha Hydroxy Acids, Beta Hydroxy Acid, Retinol (Vitamin A), Vitamin C (in a low pH formula) or anything perceived as ‘active’ skincare for at least 3 days’ post treatment. Clients may resume their home care regimen when skin is no longer flaking and peeling.
  • Scratch or peel the skin as this may cause permanent scarring.
  • Swim for at least 24 hours’ post-treatment.
  • Exercise or do strenuous activity for the first 24 hours’ post-treatment. Sweating and gym environments can be harmful and may cause adverse reactions, due to open pores and bacteria.
  • Take any anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, Motrin or Advil. These agents will interfere with the natural inflammatory process that is critical and responsible for the skin rejuvenation.  Use Tylenol only as needed for any tenderness.

Clients should drink plenty of water.

After skin needling it is best to wait approximately 2 hours before the face should be cleaned with a gentle cleanser. 12 hours post procedure, the face may be cleansed and makeup, lotions and other topical products can be applied as usual.

Mineral make-up is recommended post procedure because it lets the skin breath and helps the skin healing process. If needed, a specially formulated post treatment foundation called Oxygenetics can be worn that promotes the healing of the skin.

Because the micro-wounds close quickly, postoperative wound infection is rare. If an infection or herpes does occur an antibiotic or antiviral should be prescribed.

Rejuvenation of skin may be seen in 1-2 weeks and continue for as long as 6-8 months after the procedure.

Note: Burn scars are slow to respond. It can take 6 months to 1 year to see the final results from a single treatment.

Home Skin Care Instructions for the Client After Microneedling

CLEAN – The evening after the procedure, use a gentle cleanser and tepid water to cleanse the face and gently pat dry the treated skin. Always make sure that your hands are clean when touching the treated area. Continue for 72 hours.

HEAL – Serums with antioxidants are recommended post treatment, as the properties are ideal to help heal soothe and lessen irritation of the skin.

HYDRATE – Following microneedling treatment the skin may feel drier than normal. Hyaluronic Acid is an ideal ingredient to hydrate and restore the skin back to perfect balance. It is also important to drink plenty of water.

STIMULATE – 2 to 3 days following microneedling, the skin starts to regenerate. Collagen-stimulating peptides are ideal at this time to continue the stimulation.

MAKEUP – Makeup should not be applied before 12 hours after the procedure. Do not apply any makeup with a brush, especially if it is not clean. Mineral makeup is recommended or Oxygenetics.

PROTECT – Apply a broad-spectrum sunblock with an SPF 30 or greater. A physical sunblock containing Zinc or Titanium Dioxide is highly recommended.

Microneedling Maintenance Considerations

You should take note of several important things to maintain your youthful glow. Remember:

  • Find a Regular Skincare Routine. The best skincare routine is the one that you can commit to. A great skin routine is the foundation for any microneedling service. Adopt a consistent skincare routine and tackle any skincare concerns before investing in professional microneedling.
  • Maintain Your Skincare Routine. Adequately protected and hydrated skin is essential to long term skincare health.
  • Schedule Your Appointments Around Botox, Fillers, or Surgery. Be sure to leave yourself enough space on either side of a Botox or filler service (2 weeks) and up to a month before or after any plastic surgery or eye surgery.
  • Avoid The Sun. Prevent from burning and prolonged exposure to sun around your microneedling appointment. Support your microneedling effectiveness by avoiding sun tanning/burning altogether.
  • Plan Ahead. Great skincare professionals are often booked for months in advance. Be sure to pre-book your follow-ups in advance.
  • Visit annually. Be sure to check in with us at least once each year following the completion of your microneedling appointments.

How To Fix Bad Microneedling or Bad Skincare Experience

It might seem like a good idea to choose a lower-cost, or first-available option when scheduling microneedling. This can sometimes lead to unexpected or undesirable results. Receiving bad microneedling or skincare can be emotionally difficult, time consuming, and cost considerably more than if you had made a different choice.

If you or someone you know has recently had a bad experience with microneedling or skincare then please consider these options:

  • Immediately make contact with your skincare professional so that they can hear your feedback, and provide you with guidance and instruction.
  • If your skincare professional is no longer available, or you do not feel comfortable working with them again then you can also ask your social network for recommendations for a new provider, sending them the criteria from this webpage.
  • Don't forget to consult with your dermatologist if you have any prolonged or acute skincare concerns. If you have a family history of skincare conditions or disease including cancers you should discuss regular screening options with your primary physician.

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