Percutaneous Collagen Induction - Skin Needling Therapy
Percutaneous Collagen Induction (skin needling) is a skin rejuvenation treatment that helps to support the skins regeneration of collagen and elastin through a natural healing process.
Ultra fine, medical grade stainless steel needles are passed vertically across the skin creating multiple surface skin channels. The tiny skin channels (wounds) allow for increased product penetration as well as activating the skins natural healing response. This treatment is designed to support skin regeneration to help improve skin texture, plumpness, firmness and give an overall more youthful and glowing appearance to the skin.
This treatment can also support the healing of acne scars and improve the appearance of stretch marks and surgical scars.
The 3 stages of wound healing
- The inflammation phase – first 48hours to 5 days post treatment. Redness occurs, bacteria and debris are phagocytosed or removed. Platelets form to prevent further bleeding and release growth factors.
- Proliferations Phase – from day 2 to day 21 post treatment. Angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels from existing vessels), fibroblasts grow and form a new extra cellular matrix, by excreting collagen and fibronectin. Re-epithelialisation of the epidermis occurs and epithelial cells proliferate and migrate to the wound providing protection for new tissue.
- Remodeling Phase – from 3 weeks to 2 years post treatment. Collagen is remodelled and realigned. Type III Collagen is replaced by type I. Scar tissue is flattened. Cells that are no longer needed are removed.
Growth factors
Growth Factors are essential for the regulation of cellular events involved in wound healing by attracting cells to the wound, stimulating proliferation of fibroblast cells and significantly influencing extra cellular matrix deposits.
What can skin needling treat?
- Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
- Minimise pores
- Refines surface texture, smoothing coarse thickened skin
- Reduce appearance of acne scars
- Reduce appearance of stretch marks
- Supports synthesis of collagen and elastin for overall rejuvenation
- Increases cell turnover
Contraindications (Reasons why Skin Needling may not be suitable for you)
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Roaccutane use in the last 6 months
- Active Cystic Acne, Rosacea
- Cancer or radiation therapy
- Recent photosensitizing treatments or medications (which can increase the risk of sunburn)
- Active Herpes Simplex
- Sunburn
- Open wounds of any kind eczema, dermatitis, infections
- Keloid scarring or abnormal wound healing
- Permanent Fillers
- Recent Fillers (within last 2 weeks)
- Recent facial surgery (within last 12 months)
- Waxing (within 1 week)
Note: Please advise if you are prone to cold sores. The use of an anti-viral medication/cream would be advised pre and post treatment.
Potential Complications
- Infection if skin is not cared for correctly
- Hyper and/or hypo pigmentation
- Prolonged redness, grazing
- Blood Thinners such as Aspirin, & Nurofen within 48 hours
- Smoking (limited results)
- Topical prescription Vitamin A within 48 hours
- Diabetes (DR permission)
- Smoking
Smoking reduces the capacity for skin to make collagen, as it is harder to stimulate growth factors. Therefore it also reduces the skins natural ability to heal. More bruising may occur following the needling process and therefore results may be limited.
How many sessions do I need and how often are treatments performed?
Skin needling is best delivered in a course of 4 to 6 sessions. A minimum of 4-6 sessions is required for skin rejuvenation and 6-8 sessions for pitted acne scarring however more may be needed for more sun damaged and aggressively scarred skins. Treatments should be performed at 4-8 week intervals or 6-8 for darker or more mature skins. It takes approximately 6 weeks for collagen synthesis and about 6 months for the full effect of the treatment to be evident.
What does it feel like?
You may feel some pressure though you won’t feel much pain due to the topical anaesthetic that is applied prior to your procedure. You need to arrive 1/2 hour before your appointment time for photos and topical anaesthetic to be applied and take effect.
After the treatment?
- Immediately following the treatment redness and inflammation will be present. Generally the skin looks red and feels as though it is sunburnt or wind burnt, the skin can become tight and slightly uncomfortable. This may last for 24-48 hours, during this time you must follow all post care requirements.
- Pinpoint bleeding is to be expected with treatments however skin will not continue to bleed following the treatment.
- Bruising, crusting and light flaking may occur on the days following the procedure.
- Grazing and pustules may also occur but are not common.
- Do not pick or peel the skin prematurely as this can cause infection and possible scarring.
- It is important to use a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) SPF 30+ sunscreen daily