What is Medical Skin Needling?

May 10, 2012 - PRLog -- Medical Skin Needling, also referred to as Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT) and Micro-Needling, is considered to be a relatively new concept within the plethora of aesthetic treatment options available for skin rejuvenation, having come about in the format that we now see within the last 5 years. 

Like many of the other treatments available it is aimed at stimulating the body’s own collagen production to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, stretch marks, skin laxity and scarring such as that caused by acne or chicken pox.

This is achieved by introducing a series of fine, sharp needles into the skin following the administration of a topical local anaesthetic, in the case of medical grade devices, to reduce discomfort. The needles are attached to a single use, sterile roller which is moved over the surface of the skin to create many microscopic channels or columns, approximately 0.07- 0.25mm wide, at various depths of penetration. In the case of medical rollers this is within the papillary dermal layer of the skin where collagen and elastin fibres are located (see illustration). Cosmetic rollers however reach a much shallower level in the epidermis where they aid absorption of topical ingredients. These minute punctures close over almost immediately as the skin heals.

This “damage” to the dermis encourages the body to produce more new collagen and elastin which generate new skin cells to literally “repair” itself, thus the skin becomes thicker, plumper and more youthful. Although primarily used on the face, this procedure can be carried out anywhere on the body, such as on stretch marks on the thighs and abdomen, and generally on all skin types.

 
There are a number of different devices now available to the UK marketplace aimed at medical skin needling. These vary in needle length, from approximately 0.02mm, designed for personal, cosmetic use at home, often in conjunction with a skin care regime, as the minute skin punctures assist the absorption of any active ingredients which improve and maintain the appearance of the skin. Needle length on some devices can reach up to 3mm, designed for professional, medical use which will achieve a more significant result on skin regeneration when used by a trained practitioner to induce new collagen formation. Often, the at-home roller will be recommended for use for several months during and following conclusion of a treatment programme with the professional roller, in conjunction with an appropriate skincare regime to both promote and maintain rejuvenation results. Use of the so called cosmetic rollers is deemed safe to carry out at home due to the minimal level of needle insertion and is considered to be virtually painless by most people.


Skin preparation with the application of vitamin A and C creams may be recommended for up to 4 weeks prior to the commencement of the procedure. Treatment sessions with medical grade rollers take between 10 minutes and an hour depending on the size of the area being treated. Pain should be minimal due to the application of the topical anaesthetic; however you may still feel some discomfort. The skin will be pink or red in appearance following treatment, with some minor bleeding and bruising possible, depending on the aggressiveness of the procedure, i.e. the length of needle used for the particular indication being treated and the number of times it is rolled across the treatment area. Recovery may therefore take 24 hours or up to a few days; most people should however be able to return to work the following day. Potential complications include minor flaking or dryness of the skin, with scab formation in rare cases. Milia may also form on the skin which can be removed by the practitioner. Hyperpigmentation can occur very rarely and usually resolves after a month. If you have a history of cold sores, this could possibly flare up after treatment.


It can take between 4 – 8 weeks before visible signs of skin regeneration are seen and the process will continue over the following months, providing a gradual enhancement. A single treatment can produce noticeable results, however a programme of 2 – 5 treatments spaced 2 – 3 months apart is often recommended to achieve optimum results, in conjunction with the at-home regime. The specific number of sessions required will depend on the area being treated and the severity of the indication, as well as the level of natural response from the individual’s body.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfaYrZ8YtVk 




20 skin biopsy studies conducted by Dr. Schwarz and evaluated by Dr. Laaff in 2006 found that collagen production was induced by the Dermaroller™, resulting in an average increase of 206% after 6 - 8 weeks. The needle length of 1.5mm (MF8) resulted in the collagen proliferation in the upper 0.5mm - 0.6mm level of the dermis.

Histological Findings, Freiburg/Germany 2006

20 times magnification of tissue cross-sections. Dr. Schwarz & Dr. Laaff

                                                                

During the procedure pin-point bleeding on the surface of the skin should be achieved as capillaries are punctured. The Dermaroller™ results in natural skin rejuvenation and repair as it stimulates the body’s own collagen production, cell proliferation and angiogenesis. The absence of any evidence of tissue damage or scar tissue in the skin biopsies performed by Schwarz et al and the profound effect seen in the treatment of acne scars indicates that the response to the Dermaroller™ has some potentially key differences to the wound healing response that stimulates skin rejuvenation after ablative procedures. The Dermaroller™ micro-surgical needle puncture creates disruption of dermal cells and tissue and will puncture dermal capillaries, this creates sufficient trauma to stimulate the initial stages of the wound healing process, however the relatively low level of bleeding and tissue damage caused by the procedure could be considered counter intuitive to the significant clinical benefits that result as a consequence of the Dermaroller™ procedure and requires further explanation.

In addition the Dermaroller™ procedure does not cause the thermal damage to the tissue associated with laser and radio-frequency procedures and as a result it is believed by the manufacturers that Dermaroller™ can encourage greater angiogenesis than these procedures.

 

Before and After Examples

 
 

Images provided courtesy of Aestheticare Ltd.

 



This article is courtesy of Consulting Room™ of which Dr. Patrick Treacy is Medical Advisor