Collagen-induction therapy is one of the most popular cosmetic treatments, but most people know it by another name: microneedling. Microneedling earned its name thanks to the tiny needles used to induce collagen production.
Microneedling provides many benefits, including improved skin tone, reduced appearance of scars and wrinkles, smaller pores, and firmer, more elastic skin.
At PRP in Philadelphia, Dr. Stuart Kauffman incorporates platelet-rich plasma into your microneedling treatment. But if you’ve never had microneedling, it’s easy to wonder: does it hurt?
Here’s what you need to know.
Microneedling with PRP requires the use of needles for the blood draw and then again for the microneedling session itself. While every individual responds to pain differently, microneedling with PRP isn’t typically painful.
The blood draw is a quick pinch, and then it’s over. The needle required for this blood draw is tiny, but there are a few things you can do to make the blood draw process more comfortable:
Once the blood draw is taken, the sample is prepared in a centrifuge, which pulls out the platelets, creating a concentrated serum. This is gently massaged onto your face after the microneedling treatment.
During the microneedling session, Dr. Kauffman rolls the hand-held device over your skin. Tiny needles prick your skin, creating micro-injuries, which stimulate collagen production. Despite the use of needles and words such as “micro-injuries,'' this process is generally well-tolerated. Because the needles are so small, most people describe the sensations as a vibrating facial.
The size of the needles used for microneedling really do make a big impact when it comes to pain and the sensations you experience during your appointment.
Here’s how the “smallness” of the needles compares. When microneedling is used as part of a cosmetic treatment to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, the needle length is between 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm long.
On the other hand, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that needle length for an intramuscular injection is up to 25 mm δΈ€ that’s one inch!
Although there is no downtime or lengthy healing period required, your skin may be red for a few days afterward. This is normal. Additionally, you can make your recovery period easy by following all pre-treatment instructions. This may include:
Not sure if you need to temporarily pause a medication or supplement? Bring a list of everything you take to your microneedling consultation. During your consultation, Dr. Kauffman reviews your medication list, discusses your aesthetic goals, and provides instructions to help you prepare for your microneedling appointment.
To learn more about microneedling with PRP, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kauffman at our Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, office. Call or request an appointment online today.
