Collagen induction therapy, more commonly referred to as microneedling, is a safe, effective way to improve the appearance of the skin. At the office of Mimi Lee, MD in Little Rock, AR, we offer this treatment for the correction of many cosmetic concerns, including fine lines, wrinkles, and sun spots. Today, we’re answering some of the most frequently asked questions about this treatment, including how often you can and should get treatment.
How Often Can You Get Microneedling?
It is generally considered safe to get microneedling every four to six weeks. However, you may be able to get a treatment session every other week. Note, if you are trying to treat a mild concern, like enlarged pores, you may only need one treatment session. Once your ideal results appear, you won’t need to come in for a follow-up treatment until your results start to fade even though it is safe to come in once per month.
Other Frequently Asked Questions Answered
How Often Should I Get This Treatment?
How often you should get this treatment depends on several factors, including the type of cosmetic concern you have and how severe your cosmetic concern is. If you are trying to treat acne scars, you should come in roughly once per month until you have received enough treatments to erase your scars. After that, you will not need to come in for follow-up treatments. If you are trying to treat fine lines and wrinkles, you may only need to come in twice per year.
Am I a Good Candidate for This Treatment?
To find out whether this treatment is appropriate for you, it is vital that you attend an initial evaluation. The FDA has approved this treatment for most adults who have cosmetic concerns that can be corrected with elevated collagen production in the local area. Nonetheless, there are a number of contraindications. For example, this treatment is not appropriate for individuals who have a sunburn or active acne outbreak in the area targeted for treatment.
How Should I Prepare for My Treatment?
During your initial consultation, we will advise you on all of the preparation steps you will need to take to ensure the best possible treatment experience. The most important preparation step you must take is attending an initial evaluation to verify that this treatment will be safe and effective for you. Another very important preparation step you must take is to avoid taking any anticoagulant, blood-thinning drug, or pharmaceutical that has a potential side effect of blood-thinning.
Moreover, it is vital that you take steps to prevent skin irritation prior to your treatment. For example, you should not use any topical medication that contains retinol. Furthermore, you should not use any cosmetics that contain salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or other acids that have the potential to irritate the skin. You also should minimize your exposure to UV light, wear sunscreen, avoid alcohol and tobacco consumption, and come in hydrated and well-nourished.
What Can I Expect After My Treatment Session?
There will be no downtime required following your non-invasive cosmetic treatment. You are free to return to work once your session is complete with one exception. You may not return to work if you cannot follow all requisite recovery guidelines. Your skin may feel tighter as soon as your session is over, but it will take a couple of weeks before the final results of the session become apparent.
What Recovery Guidelines Will I Need To Follow?
You need to keep your skin cool for 48 hours following your collagen induction therapy session. If you have a physically demanding job that causes you to sweat profusely, you will need to take two days off from work or schedule your treatment for a Friday afternoon. You also need to stay out of the sun as much as possible. If you have to be exposed to the sun, you will need to apply sunscreen 20 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every other hour.
During the first seven days following your treatment session, you will need to refrain from smoking or consuming an excessive amount of alcohol. Furthermore, you should not exercise excessively, sweat, swim, or expose your sun to the skin excessively if possible. Also, make sure you wear clothing or a hat to protect the treatment area from direct sunlight, especially if you will be outdoors for a long time.
What Cosmetics Should I Avoid?
During the first seven days following your microneedling session, you should not use any skin products containing hydroquinone. You also should avoid using any products containing retinoids or glycolic acid. Scrubs should also be avoided.
Schedule Your Initial Consultation Now
Most people can safely get microneedling every four to six weeks, but a treatment session every 14 days may be appropriate for you. How often you should get treatment depends on several factors, including what you are trying to treat and the severity of your cosmetic concerns. To find out if collagen induction therapy is appropriate for you, schedule an appointment with us now at the office of Mimi Lee, MD in Little Rock, AR.