Microneedling

The face and neck are often the most exposed parts of the body and are typically first to suffer damage. Face and neck skin are subject to harsh elements such as the sun, pollutants, or even from just poor skin care like not using moisturizer.

Skin is the largest organ of the body; it is vital to take good care of it. Medical Microneedling is a non-surgical, highly effective skin rejuvenation treatment that uncovers glowing, smooth face and neck skin in just one treatment.

What is Microneedling?

Microneedling, also known as Collagen Induction Therapy, is a non-surgical skin care treatment that utilizes tiny medical grade needles to create micro-channels. By creating these micro-channels, the skin’s natural regenerative response kicks in and initiates self-healing and stimulates collagen production. This process diminishes blemishes and acne scars, evens skin texture, and reduces wrinkles. Microneedling is the gentlest form of skin resurfacing, but it must be performed by a licensed specialist. The treatment can be used for the face and neck, and leaves patients with healthier, radiant skin.

Medical Microneedling Benefits

We treat with SkinPen which uses medical grade needles capable of penetrating the dermis. Other applications are shallow and don’t even penetrate the epidermis (outer layer of skin.) If there is no penetration, self-healing and collagen production are not initiated, deeming non-medical Microneedling ineffective and similar to just a facial. With SkinPen medical Microneedling, the skin is appropriately penetrated which allows for both collagen production and the ability to saturate the micro-channels with aiding topical serums.

Candidates

Just about anybody can be a candidate for a Microneedling treatment at Rotemberg Plastic Surgery, so long as the patient isn’t currently suffering from acne or cold sores. Microneedling can be performed on women and men of all ethnicities and skin tones who wish to address discoloration, acne scars, skin texture, pore size, and/or fine lines and wrinkles.

It is safe for all skin colors and is a great alternative to surgical procedures for those who do not require or do not wish to undergo surgery. Some people are also unsure of using laser, Botox, or fillers. Even if you do not suffer from any of the above conditions or worries, Microneedling can be used as a pick-me-up for fresh, healthier skin.

Microneedling vs Resurfacing Lasers

SkinPen vs Dermal Rolling

At Rotemberg Plastic Surgery we use SkinPen, an advanced pen-shaped mechanical device that uses tiny medical-grade needles to create micro-channels. SkinPen has evolved from the design of the dermal roller which accomplishes the same objective, however the needles are on a large rolling barrel attached to a self-operated handle, much like a small paint roller. Rollers have more room for user error since there is no guarantee of consistency since it is manually handled, where SkinPen’s vertical motions are automated and deliver even motions.

Dermal rolling causes distressed tear-like wound as it is dragged along the face. This motion plus the considerable amount of needles on the barrel makes dermal rolling a very painful treatment. With SkinPen, small groups of needles are used in vertical motions on one independent section at a time, which makes it more comfortable. SkinPen’s mechanicalness and meticulous motions allows your Microneedling specialist to precisely cover the entirety of the treatment area without flaw. With a treatment where fluctuation of just tenths of a millimeter makes a large difference, precision is key. SkinPen ensures this precision, while dermal rolling leaves the outcome of the treatment’s accuracy in the hands of the operator.

SkinPen uses single-use sterile needles that are replaced for each patient, but a dermal roller needs to be sanitized after each use since the barrel is meant to be used on numerous patients. Another appeal of SkinPen over dermal rolling is the absence of downtime needed; there is no physical need to steer away from your normal day to day activities after SkinPen. Dermal rolling requires patients to take as long as 4 days off for rest and recovery.

There are Microneedling applicators that are sold for in-home use, but do not be mislead by their false claims. They often state that they are as effective as an office treatment by a licensed professional, but they most certainly are not. Needles on a home-use applicator are much shorter and do not penetrate the epidermis, which is needed to trigger the self-healing process.

This will not diminish wrinkles, discoloration, or scars as it does not penetrate deep enough to address these issues; they get rid of dead skin on the surface at most. Longer needles which provide the necessary penetration are only able to be utilized by licensed skilled professional who are trained in Microneedling, like the staff at Rotemberg Plastic Surgery.

What To Expect During Your Consultation

During your private consultation with Miami’s top female plastic surgeon, you will share with Dr. Silvia Rotemberg the concerns you have with your facial and/or neck skin. She will then examine your problem areas and assess if this is the right treatment for you. If deemed a good candidate, she will be able to determine how many treatment sessions you would benefit from. Typically we recommend series of 3 treatments, one every 4-6 weeks, for the best results. This may vary depending on the extent of your conditions.

You will be shown before and after photos of previous patients with similar conditions and skin type who underwent Microneedling. Results vary between patients so this is just meant to show you what results can potentially look like. Any questions you may have about the process will gladly be answered at this time.

Treatment Process

When you arrive at Rotemberg Plastic Surgery for your Microneedling treatment, you will thoroughly cleanse your face, and then one of our staff will apply a numbing cream to the treatment areas to prevent any discomfort. After about 30 minutes once the areas are numb, a hyaluronic acid serum will be applied on the SkinPen needles so it can be absorbed through the micro-channels. The serum or product will be chosen during your private consultation depending on your individual needs.

The SkinPen needles will be set to a specific length in order to provide you with your desired results while also remaining safe and preventing drawing blood. The length can be customized to address a variety of different textures, scars, or discoloration. Longer needles typically are used for scar revision while shorter needles are used for skin texture. The automated pen is then delicately applied on the surface area of the treated skin by your licensed specialist.

The process from start to finish takes between 30 minutes to no longer than an hour. The feeling of a SkinPen treatment has been compared to smooth fingernails tracing along your skin or a cat’s tongue; you feel a sensation but no pain.

Recovery

After your SkinPen treatment your skin is reddened and may feel dry, like a sunburn. Dr. Silvia Rotemberg will write you a prescription for moisturizer or a serum to apply to you face to help reduce redness and hydrate the skin. When you are applying the creams or rinsing your face with water, please make sure your hands are clean. For the week after treatment you should avoid facial scrubs, exfoliants, and products containing acid.

Do not wax for at least a week and try and steer clear of direct sun exposure. Few patients experience mild scabbing or flaking, but these incidents heal very quickly with time and the help of moisturizer. Since the micro-channels start to heal and close within minutes, infection is highly rare.

There is no downtime required after Microneedling. The only reasons someone may not want to be in public the day of treatment would be because of facial redness; there is no physical need for downtime though. Redness can be covered with mineral makeup, and non-mineral makeup can be worn after several days. Many patients have reported going out to dinner that very night.

Results after your treatment are evident as little as the following day, but the best results can be seen after 3-4 treatment sessions. There is an observable difference in tone as soon as redness subsides, and smooth texture is apparent is a couple weeks.

Cost