Whether you have heard it called skin needling, dermarolling, microneedling or collagen induction therapy all you need to know about the effective and painless technique can be found here. Anyone wanting to minimize the effects of stretch marks or acne scars can benefit from collagen induction therapy (CIT) in which the skin is punctured with tiny sterile needles, a minimally invasive procedure that’s a lot less damaging than ablative procedures that are widely available, such as lasers or dermal rolling.
CIT is so effective as it is able to stimulate the growth of new elastin and collagen, and stimulate the release of growth factors. The treatment method is very similar to Radio Frequency Skin Tightening procedure. Your skin responds to the slight wounds that have been caused by the pinpricks, by producing new tissue that contains more collagen. The new tissue that is then created has more texture and tone to it. One big advantage to microneedling is the faster healing time as compared to other procedures, and you may also end up with overall firmer skin too as the new collagen rich tissue will replace the collagen we inevitably lose due to aging.
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What Happens During The Collagen Induction Therapy
Although you shouldn’t feel any pain, you’ll be given a topical anesthetic to ensure a completely pain free procedure. You should expect the entire procedure to take a couple of hours, with the actual microneedling process lasting about 30 minutes. Your technician will use a tool rather like a pen to make tiny pricks under your skin; the pricks will be spaced evenly across the affected area meaning that the rejuvenated skin will appear to look even too. A serum may be used afterwards, and you probably won’t even notice the tiny pricks in your skin as they are so small.
How much does Collagen Induction Therapy Cost
Your health insurance won’t cover the cost of the procedure, as CIT is considered an aesthetic or cosmetic procedure. Financing is available at some facilities, and your doctor may be able to work with you to create an affordable payment plan. Expect to pay around $300 for a face treatment session; between $100 and $700 is the typical cost of microneedling, based on estimates by Dernapen. To avoid any unexpected bills, make sure you understand the total cost of your procedure. Most patients can return to school or work immediately following the procedure, although if you take time off, those costs should be reckoned in too.
How long does Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT) last?
The overall health of your skin will help to determine your individual results, although positive results are typically noticeable after just one treatment. You may notice the difference to your skin in just a few days, or it may take a week or two to start seeing the difference.
What are the risks of Microneedling? Am I suitable?
Redness around the affected area for a few days, or a minor irritation of the skin are the most common side effects. More severe side effects include peeling skin, infection, bruised skin or bleeding and if you experience any of these, you should call your doctor. In general, if your health is good, and peels or other dermatological procedures haven’t worked, you should be suitable for a CIT procedure. However, it’s important to remember that microneedling has some element of risk associated with it, as do all cosmetic procedures.
Post Collagen Induction Therapy Recovery
Most patients don’t have any difficulty going back to school or work immediately following their microneedling treatment, although if your skin appears slightly red you may want to use camouflaging make up. The slight redness should go away after a few days, and is caused by the tiny needles that were used; it’s nothing to be concerned about and is the natural response of your body. Recovery time from a collagen induction therapy is minimal for most people, and it’s important to remember that this minimally invasive procedure isn’t plastic surgery. You should remember to use sunscreen following your treatment, as your skin will be more sensitive and more prone to sun damage.
Most patients can expect to see positive results within a couple of weeks, as new tissue is generated by your skin quickly, following the treatment. Keep in mind that several microneedling treatment sessions my be needed, as well as perhaps one or more other treatments in order to keep your skin looking the way you want it to. Different patients have different goals when it comes to the appearance of their skin, and your doctor will be able to talk to you about the best way to proceed, and whether further treatments are desirable or necessary.
Wikihow has compiled a list of things to follow for the best post-treatment result:
- Avoid sunlight for at least 2 days. You can wear headgear such as hats and scarves to cover your skin.
- Try to use only lukewarm water for cleansing your face and only gently pat your face.
- Don’t let dirty hands, including yours, touch the face as this may cause infection.
- Avoid using makeup for at least a day. In any case, you should not be arranging any night’s out after the treatment!
- Follow the skincare cream issued by the practitioner.
- Check your usual cosmetic products for alpha or beta hydroxy acids, benzoyl peroxide or alcohol for 3 days.
Overall, Collagen Induction Therapy is a rather safe procedure you can consider as an alternative to other invasive methods. It is always the best if you can make use of natural body system to regenerate new skin cells. However, it is better to consult a certified practitioner to assess the condition of your skin and health before the microneedling treatment. You definitely can be more beautiful!