Microneedling is a popular non-invasive aesthetic skin treatment that has gained traction recently.
It involves using tiny needles to stimulate the skin's natural renewal mechanism. It creates microscopic channels that let medical-grade skincare such as collagen, antioxidants, and vitamins reach deep into the skin.
It also stimulates the skin's natural collagen and elastin production, improving your complexion's overall appearance.
What exactly does Microneedling do?
At its core, microneedling helps to reduce wrinkles, fine lines, enlarged pores, acne scars, stretch marks, and other signs of skin aging by stimulating collagen production and activating skin renewal.
Tiny needles help break down skin unevenness, enlarged pores, or pigmented cells.
Collagen is an essential protein in our bodies that helps keep our skin youthful and healthy. Creating tiny channels in the skin with microneedles encourages new cell growth, which can help fill out wrinkles or smooth out uneven texture caused by scarring or sun damage.
This process also increases blood flow to the treated area, which can help promote healing and give you a more even tone overall.
What types of Microneedling treatment does Dr. Paulina Charlesworth offer at her clinic in Sevenoaks?
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Dermapen microneedling (DermapenR) is the most well-known form of microneedling.
Dr. Paulina Charlesworth uses medical grade Dermapen at her skin clinic in Sevenoaks, which offers 2200 microneedle insertions per second compared to 300 other devices such as Dermaroller or other pens.
Dermapen uses 16 surgical steel-grade single-use sterile needles, which make the process kinder to the skin and requires less downtime. The treatment is pain-free because the needles are fine, and insertions are so rapid.
Medical grade Dermapen allows Dr Paulina to adjust the speed and the depth of the stimulation to suit the area of the skin and the indication for the treatment.
Her medical knowledge and experience allow her to interpret how your skin reacts to the treatment and adjust it in real time, making it more bespoke, safer, and more effective.
As the medical microneedling treatment is more controlled and precise, it is much more comfortable and kinder to the skin despite being much deeper than other beauty microneedling treatments may be.
The specialist Dermapen needles point at 90-degree angles causing less trauma to the skin and can target hard-to-reach areas making them easier to treat than, for example, using other microneedling pens or much larger Dermarollers.
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Radio Frequency Microneedling (RFM) is the latest advancement in microneedling technology. Dr. Paulina Charlesworth is the first person in Sevenoaks to offer the latest RFM technology - the Focus Dual {Insert link to Focus Dual blog}.
The added Radiofrequency (RF) element adds gentle heat to the deep layer of your skin called the dermis during the microneedling process. This further stimulates collagen production to help improve signs of lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin.
If you combine Radiofrequency & Microneedling (RFM) you have a dual effect on the tissue, improving a host of textural and ageing concerns such as acne scars, skin laxity, stretch marks, open pores, and wrinkles - a much more advanced approach with more effective results.
What products does Dr.Paulina Charlesworth use during Microneedling?
During medical grade microneedling, Dr. Paulina uses prescription strength medical grade products at her Sevenoaks clinic.
These include hyaluronic acid to help skin plumpiness, lines, and wrinkles, Vitamin C, antioxidants, and vitamins to nourish the skin and help with pigmentation.
Other medical-grade skincare is tailored to your skin's needs and delivered to the correct skin depth for its best effect.
You can also upgrade to ZO Accelerated Serums or Swiss-made Teoxane topical skin boosters to further enhance the results and complement other aesthetic treatments.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Results from microneedling typically last anywhere from 6 months up to 2 years, depending on how well you take care of your skin and your lifestyle.
As only a third of our skin cells are active at any time, Dr. Paulina recommends microneedling treatments in courses of 3 or 6 for the best result.
Afterward, it is best to maintain your results by having microneedling every 4-6 months since collagen production naturally slows down as we age.
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Microneedling treatment is relatively pain-free and feels like a light vibrating sensation on the skin, with very light pressure applied or a little 'hoover', and some patients describe it as quite pleasant and relaxing.
Medical grade treatment needles are better quality, and Dermapen is faster than others causing less discomfort to the skin.
Focus Dual Radiofrequency (RF) microneedling pen has a little suction at the tip, distracting the skin from the brief sensation of the needles.
To ensure your comfort at her Sevenoaks skin clinic, Dr Paulina offers to apply a topical anesthetic cream to numb the skin before treatment.
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Since this treatment relies upon natural skin healing processes and causes only micro fine, controlled stimulation to the skin, it is very safe when the appropriate devices are used in trained hands.
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At her clinic in Sevenoaks Dr Paulina Charlesworth will take a detailed medical history, including medication and health supplements that you take to ensure you have no skin conditions that might increase the risk of unwanted side effects.
The consultation is also essential to discuss your expectations and whether or not this treatment can meet them.
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Localised flushing or redness may last up to two days post-treatment if your skin is very sensitive and frail or if you use certain medications but it usually resolves within half an hour or so after microneeding treatment.
You can use mineral-based makeup after 24 hours, and once your skin colour returns to normal, you can start using your usual skin care. Dr. Paulina recommends medical-grade serums to enhance treatment results, making the most of the tiny microchannels created.
It is best to avoid alcohol, vigorous exercise, and extremes of heat or cold for 48 hours post-treatment, as these may increase and prolong redness and swelling.
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Skin reactions depend on the individual; however, the skin will generally appear pinkish and flushed afterward, as if you were out for a jog. This can last for as little as half an hour if your skin is younger and more resilient or up to around 24-48 hours if very sensitive.
Other reactions after the treatment may include tightness and slight flaking or feeling itchy. Cold compresses or an antihistamine tablet can help resolve any discomfort if the redness worsens or itching occurs in the first few hours after treatment.
Do not use hair dyes for a week following treatment.