Health

Skin needling: All you need to know

Dec 23, 2015

Skin needling is not the usual pampering treatment you have at the beauty salon. You will definitely feel sensations whilst you are pricked and pierced having this beauty treatment. However, the theory behind skin needling is quite logical and you will be thrilled with the result.

Now for the nitty, gritty of what’s involved.

Hundreds of tiny, sharp needles are rolled over your face, piercing and making hundreds of tiny holes. When the natural healing process begins the production of collagen and elastin will be stimulated and as the effects kick in your complexion will become firmer and more plump. The appearance of enlarged pores, pigmentation and noticeable capillaries will improve.

The Procedure:

Your beautician will smother your face and neck with anaesthetic cream and cover it with plastic film to speed up the anaesthetising process which will take about 30 minutes. You may like to pass the time having a manicure, pedicure or massage. Perhaps take a nap.

Next, a needle length is selected; between 0.5mm and 1.5mm. Your beautician will help you decide. The longer the needle length, the better the result, but side effects will be more noticeable. Play it safe at first and choose a needle length between 1.00mm and 1.25mm – this treatment is not for the faint-hearted and despite the anaesthetic it can be a little bit painful, but as we well know some discomfort is often part of being beautiful.

For obvious hygiene reasons, a new roller is used at your first appointment then cleaned and stored for your exclusive use.

When your face is numb, the needle roller is firmly and precisely rolled over the face and neck; nose, forehead, chin are all included. The rolling process will last for about 15 minutes.

The beautician will finish with a soothing peptide lotion.

Your face will be rather red and slightly swollen and there may be some minor blood spots and a small bruise or two. Redness and swelling will subside in a few hours but the blood spots and bruises will take a day or two to fade and you will need to mask them with concealer. Now make up your face, look in the mirror and the be thrilled with the new you.

TIPS:

Make your appointment for late in the day so that you can go straight home and don’t have to be out and about seeing and being seen.

Best not to wear make-up straight away.

If you happen to be a Retin-A user, it is wise to have a Retin-A holiday two weeks prior to your appointment and for one week afterwards.

Also, stop anticoagulant tablets two weeks before your appointment to help reduce blood spots – resume about two days after the appointment.

Take arnica during that fortnight to help minimise any bruising.

Include the inner arms in the treatment and be delighted with improved firming of crepey skin.

Purchase a mini roller for home use; the needle length is 0.25mm, so no anaesthetic required and no side effects will be experienced. Use it twice a week on your face and inner arms.

Whilst you’re rolling, give the inner thighs a going-over!

Rinse and dry the mini roller before putting it away.

A course of three treatments, six weeks apart is the usual routine, but make your own decision. To begin, I took the course of three treatments and now take one treatment about every three months, but I am very diligent and use the mini roller twice a week. I replace the mini roller annually so that it is always sharp.

Results really are noticeable and you will be thrilled with the improvement. Especially to coarseness and open pores.

I have noticed that the cost of this treatment varies enormously, so shop around for the best price.

Skin needling is a high-powered treatment; a little more dramatic than usual, but the logic involved is easy to understand. Be adventurous, take the plunge, make an appointment for a treatment and see a new vibrant you.