Microneedling

Introduction

Microneedling Skincare, for younger, more rejuvenated skin.

If you are exploring options to create glowing, rejuvenated skin, then you might want to consider clinical microneedling.  Clinical microneedling is a proven non-invasive skincare service that is built on decades of clinical research that reduces the appearance of fine lines, scars, and wrinkles.

Clinical microneedling can be an excellent choice over derma rolling or even laser resurfacing treatments.  It's also a more cost effective option than plastic surgery. Given the amount of options and information it can often be difficult to determine how microneedling could be the right option for you.

If you are considering microneedling, you likely have a number of questions, including:

• What is microneedling?
• How much does it cost to have microneedling done, and what are the upkeep costs?
• How can microneedling help me?
• How long will the effects of microneedling last?
• What are the risks in having microneedling?
• What are the alternatives to getting microneedling?

This webpage provides important facts on microneedling as a professional skincare treatment to help you be more informed, supporting you to make the right choice for your face, skin type and conditions. Using these questions as a guide, this webpage describes the most common information related to microneedling, and discusses the factors involved in choosing, scheduling, and maintaining microneedling.

This webpage is intended for clients who are looking for background information on microneedling as a professional skincare option in order to support informed decision making regarding service selection, purchasing, and maintenance.  The information provided here is general, and specific details may vary depending on your skin type, specific skin concerns, and service provider.  This webpage should not replace working with a dermatologist, your physician, or a skincare professional, who will ensure that your microneedling experience meets your needs and goals.

Microneedling and professional skincare in general is an effective way to support your skincare goals.  In thinking about microneedling in the context of your overall health and wellness, it is recommended that you factor in your state of mental well-being, as well as your body's ability to heal from a microneedling procedure when subscribing to a microneedling service.

Cosmetic products or services should never be used to mask what could be an underlying medical condition.  Please consult first with your primary physician before subscribing to any cosmetic products or aesthetic services.

Microneedling is a popular cosmetic skincare procedure that involves a machine pen containing up to 12 clinical-grade pins that move in rapid succession creating fine perforations within the epidermis.

This particular treatment with IVONNE is uniquely combined with AnteAGE next-generation cytokine serum which:

1. Offers the least inflammation over all other regenerative skin treatments
2. Uses the body’s natural healing mechanism by leveraging the power of growth factors
3. Aims to offer a gentle and natural way to reverse or slow down the effects of aging, temporarily halting, stopping and arresting inflammation in the skin.

Microneedling is perfect for anyone wanting to address fine lines, wrinkles or sun/aging spots or to resolve some scar tissue.

Recommended 3-6 treatments and use of home serum and accelerator for best results.

Skincare Basic Concepts

Microneedling has been a technique used for decades as a means of creating micro injuries within the skin to kick off a cascade of restorative sequences, leaving the skin looking more youthful.

What Does Microneedling Resolve?

Microneedling is a popular treatment that may help resolve the appearance of hyperpigmentation, fine lines, or even wrinkles.
It helps to prompt the derma, a deeper layer of skin, to rebuild, and is used to increase absorption of hyaluronic acid or stem cytokines.

Microneedling may even be used to help smoothen or even the skin before Camouflage Tattoo.

Here are some common terms you may come across while investigating microneedling.

A Skincare professional, medical aesthetician, or skincare technician is a non-regulated non-healthcare professional who performs Microneedling, and who may have received formal, or informal training or certification. They may even work in collaboration with, or under the direction of a physician, or a regulated healthcare professional.

The dermis is a layer of skin between the epidermis and tissue beneath the skin.

The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin that we can see with our eyes.

Having our skin inspired with hyaluronic acid can leave us feeling invigorated and refreshed. There are however other aesthetic treatments that can achieve similar or comparable effects. These include:

• Chemical Peels
• A professional, at-home, skincare routine, including at-home microneedling
• Laser resurfacing or other light or laser modalities

Skincare starts with protection first. Incorporating the regular use of an SPF sunblock and staying hydrated, together with other lifestyle choices is an important foundation to healthy skin.

Microneedling, after 6 sessions spread 1 month apart can last for up to a year or longer. It is important to keep in mind that the effects of aging continue, and additional supportive sessions may be required for years to come.

There are general factors that impact the effect of microneedling:

• Lifestyle
• Adherence to precare and aftercare instructions around the microneedling service
• Smoking
• Exposure to sun and other environmental influences
• Genetics
• Daily Skincare and Skin health

The Province of Ontario, through its local Public Health Units oversee microneedling as a Personal Care Service under O. Reg 136/18. Through annual, or period inspections, Public Health officers of a local Public Health Unit will assess a Personal Service Setting for its compliance with the regulations and report its findings to the public through the mandatory display of inspection certificates, and through its online database of inspection results.

Public health units do not assess the practitioner's skill, ability, or credentials as it relates to microneedling. Instead public health inspectors ensure that the environment and related processes to deliver microneedling are safe, and in accordance with the prevailing Infection Prevention And Control best practices.

Health Canada is responsible for overseeing regulation of cosmetics and medical equipment in Canada. Through their regulations they have set out what ingredients are permitted, and what devices must be registered.

Health Canada does not have an approval process for cosmetics, and does not, as an ongoing practice assess every cosmetic for its chemical or toxic ingredient composition.

To ensure that your microneedling professional is complying with the established safety protocols and regulations it is recommended  to search the name of their business in any local Public Health Inspections database.

When choosing a microneedling professional for microneedling consider the following:

• Am I comfortable with them? Can I communicate my expectations clearly and do we understand each other? Do we have a good rapport?
• Am I comfortable with their results? Do I have practical expectations, and can I commit to a long term skincare plan?

Microneedling should always be performed by a qualified provider. Consult your dermatologist or a local skincare clinic to understand your options. You should choose a provider that is located close by so that you can access them easily for follow-up appointments, or to receive any additional skincare or aftercare support.  While out of town and fly-in clients are increasingly common we recommend choosing a professional that you can work with for years to come.

The cost of having microneedling depends on the area to be addressed, the depth of skin, quality of equipment and supplies, the experience and setting of the professional, and of course your objectives and budget.

Great skin needs life-long care. It's a good idea to keep your microneedling appointments booked according to the follow-up schedule that your professional sets i.e. once a month for six months.

It is recommended to first request an official cost estimate request ("quote") and/or a virtual consultation with your microneedling professional before proceeding with any service. This can be done several months before scheduling your appointment.

Once you have made the decision to proceed with microneedling be sure to schedule both your initial appointment and your follow-ups for the next 6 months. Doing so ensures that you have access to critically-timed follow-ups to maximize the results.

During the scheduled appointment your microneedling professional will perform consultation where you will:

• Assess your skin, and discuss any concerns and objectives
• Discuss relevant at-home skincare products 
• Finalize your skincare plan

Your initial microneedling treatment will take approximately 1 hour (depending on the area of the body to be treated). It's a great idea to plan your day by having a snack before your appointment and using the toilet when you arrive.

Follow These Important Steps Before Your Microneedling Appointment

Follow These Important Steps After Your Microneedling Appointment

You should take note of several important things to maintain your youthful glow. Remember:

• Find a Regular Skincare Routine. The best skincare routine is the one that you can commit to. A great skin routine is the foundation for any microneedling service. Adopt a consistent skincare routine and tackle any skincare concerns before investing in professional microneedling.
• Maintain Your Skincare Routine. Adequately protected and hydrated skin is essential to long term skincare health.
• Schedule Your Appointments Around Botox, Fillers, or Surgery. Be sure to leave yourself enough space on either side of a Botox or filler service (2 weeks) and up to a month before or after any plastic surgery or eye surgery.
• Avoid The Sun. Prevent from burning and prolonged exposure to sun around your microneedling appointment. Support your microneedling effectiveness by avoiding sun tanning/burning altogether.
• Plan Ahead. Great skincare professionals are often booked for months in advance. Be sure to pre-book your follow-ups in advance.
• Visit annually. Be sure to check in with us at least once each year following the completion of your microneedling appointments.

It might seem like a good idea to choose a lower-cost, or first-available option when scheduling microneedling. This can sometimes lead to unexpected or undesirable results. Receiving bad microneedling or skincare can be emotionally difficult, time consuming, and cost considerably more than if you had made a different choice.

If you or someone you know has recently had a bad experience with microneedling or skincare then please consider these options:

• Immediately make contact with your skincare professional so that they can hear your feedback, and provide you with guidance and instruction.
• If your skincare professional is no longer available, or you do not feel comfortable working with them again then you can also ask your social network for recommendations for a new provider, sending them the criteria from this webpage.
• Don't forget to consult with your dermatologist if you have any prolonged or acute skincare concerns. If you have a family history of skincare conditions or disease including cancers you should discuss regular screening options with your primary physician.