Microneedling
Microneedling will be available for booking in late Fall 2024 or Winter 2025.
Skin Rejuvenation & Illumination
Microneedling focuses on the epidermis and dermal layers to encourage the softening of some fine lines and wrinkles, as well as, evening out texture and color. By adding body acupuncture to this modern technology, I can address the internal imbalances that may contribute to the effects of aging, thereby enhancing and extending the effects of your facial treatment. This is true “inside-out” treatment.
Conditions that Microneedling can help address:
Blurring or evening out scars, including acne scars.
Wrinkles and fine lines
Hyperpigmentation
Hair loss treatment
Treatment will include:
Please come to treatment with a clean face - no makeup or product.
This treatment is not advised for anyone with current skin irritation, blemishes, sunburns, recent chemical peels, or other conditions in which the epidermis or dermal layer may be vulnerable and sensitive.
If you are currently receiving Deluxe Facial Acupuncture from me on a weekly basis, please book this separately from your weekly treatments.
[Optional] Numbing Cream - You can opt to have a topical anesthetic, such as benzocaine, lidocaine, and/or tetracaine applied prior to your treatment to provide some light numbing. An extra 20 minutes will be added to your treatment to ensure that the numbing cream will take effect.
Gentle Swipe of Micellar Water - Just to cleanse the canvas, so to speak ;)
Microneedling Treatment with Serum - I will treat the neck and the face, creating micro-channels in the skin for product absorbency and to elicit the body’s natural healing response by encouraging the regeneration of collagen and elastin, thereby encouraging a more youthful and radiant appearance.
Body Needles, LED Light, Cooling Mask, and Cryoglobes, Mushroom, or Spoon Guasha - After your treatment, I will bring your body and skin back to equilibrium and try to soothe any irritation by grounding you with a few body needles while you rest under the LED Light. We will finish with a cooling mask and cooling guasha.
Contraindications
The following conditions are contraindicated with microneedling:
Hemophilia
Papulopustular rosacea, pus-filled blemishes
Acne vulgaris
Actinic keratosis, pre-cancerous skin conditions due to overexposure to UV radiation
Current chemo or immune therapy
Autoimmune disorders such as: thyroid disorder, Ehlers-Danlos
Collagen vascular diseases such as: ankylosing spondylitis, dermatomyositis, polyarteritis nodosa, polymyositis, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, lupus, Sjögren syndrome, temporal arteritis
Long-term use of Prednisone, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants
Pregnant/Nursing
HIV/AIDS
Anticoagulants/ Blood thinners
Allergies to metal
Active Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1) aka cold sores
Any open lesions, warts, sunburns, skin infections, inflammations
Please allow 3 months after the following procedures before scheduling microneedling:
Recent facial operations
Cosmetic tattooing
IPL/ Laser hair removal or IPL skin treatments
Laser resurfacing/ ablation
Chemical peels
Botox
Dermal Fillers
Please allow 12 months after the following procedures before scheduling microneedling:
Accutane/ Isoretinoin
Please stop using/ taking 1 week prior to microneedling:
Fish oils/ Omega-3s
Ginseng/ Gingko Biloba/ St. John’s Wort
Retinoids
Antibiotics, topical (like clindamycin)
Exfoliants/ AHA/ BHA
Waxing/ peeling/ home micro-needling treatments
Benzoyl peroxide
Hydroquinone/ Kojic acid/ Azelaic acid
NSAIDs
Post-Treatment and After-Care
Following treatment, your skin may appear pink or slightly red and may flake or peel — similar to the sensations of a mild sunburn. This typically lasts 12-36 hours.
Post-Care immediately after treatment:
You can use a calming, cooling mist spray to soothe any irritation after your treatment.
Avoid makeup, extended exposure to sun, or exercise where you might sweat.
Avoid doing your regular facial cleansing routine right after treatment, use only a mild cleanser and soothing mist and hydrating serum or moisturizer. Add a little bit of antibiotic cream to your moisturizer to mitigate any chance of infection.
Post-Care day after treatment:
Focus on rebuilding your skin layer, soothing any irritation, and protecting your skin as it is healing and vulnerable.
Use mild cleanser, soothing mists, calming serums such as hyaluronic acid, and soothing moisturizer 2x/day
Use a high-quality, made-for-the-face mineral sunscreen (please do this daily anyway, lol), but continue to avoid direct and extended sunlight.
Post-Care 48 hours and beyond:
Continue to focus on encouraging your skin to heal for at least a week post-treatment. You can resume any regular facial routine, at the earliest, 72 hours later and if you feel like your skin is no longer irritated.
If any flaking or peeling does occur, gently exfoliate with a washcloth and mild cleanser.
In the week after treatment (ESPECIALLY the first 72 hours):
Keep your skin soothed, hydrated, and clean. Your skin is vulnerable after microneedling and may be susceptible to infection.
SPF Matters!
If your sunscreen is SPF 10, you need to reapply every hour.
SPF 20, every 2 hours.
I like to use a daily sunscreen with SPF 30+ for the face.
If you go in any water, you need to reapply.
Drink hella water! I always say “half your weight in ounces.” So if I’m 128 pounds, I should drink at least 64 ounces of water.
Limit caffeine and alcohol. These are dehydrating and may slow down your body’s natural healing.
Avoid NSAIDs. These are blood-thinning and may slow down healing.
Avoid direct, extended sunlight.
Avoid wearing makeup.
Avoid sweating/ exercise.
Avoid scratching or picking at the skin.
Avoid hot showers/ hot water on the face, jacuzzis, and saunas.
Avoid putting ice on your face. This will only cause more irritation. Use cooling mist or a damp cool cloth gently over the affected area.
Avoid smoking.
Avoid using any at-home microneedling devices.
Avoid the active, exfoliating, or “acid” ingredients (with the exception of hyaluronic acid), as they may be irritating to the skin in the days after treatment, such as:
Retinol
Vitamin C
“Citrus” ingredients - citric acid, limonene, linalool
Essential oils and fragrance
Alpha- and Beta- Hydroxy Acids (AHA and BHA)
Glycolic Acid, Kojic Acid, Azelaic Acid
Benzoyl Peroxide
Spray tans/ pigmented creams
“Brightening” ingredients (as they typically include citric acid, vitamin c, and/or AHA, BHA, or glycolic acid)
All scrubs and exfoliants
Emollients: petroleum jelly, mineral oil, silicones, lanolin
Sulfates, phthalates, parabens, triclosans
Results:
Some folks see results immediately. Others see subtle changes over the course of time. These results will compound over the course of 3-6 monthly treatments. Afterwards, I will advise to come in yearly for maintenance and repeat the 3-6 monthly course once every few years. Results have been documented to be very long lasting. Coupled with a dedicated at-home facial routine, your results are more likely to last years.