Facts About Medical Microneedling | by Kendra Clark
gen and elastin decrease as a function of age , with visible consequences of skin laxity and wrinkling .
As a result of microinsults to the dermis , the natural wound healing cascade is induced . Platelets and neutrophils are recruited to release growth factors , such as transforming growth factor alpha ( TGF-alpha ), TGF-beta , and platelet-derived growth factor ( PDGF ). 4 This ultimately results in the deposition of collagen by fibroblasts .
4 Fernandes D . Minimally invasive percutaneous collagen induction . Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am . 2005 ; 17 ( 1 ): 51 – 63 .
Because cosmetic needling is less aggressive than medical microneedling , healing time and associated risks are lower .
These microinjuries lead to very minimal superficial bleeding yet still set up a wound healing cascade . The needles also break down old hardened scar strands and allow the tissue to revascularize ( form new blood vessels ). Neovascularization and neocollagenesis are initiated by migration and proliferation of fibroblasts and laying down of intercellular matrix . 5 , 6
A fibronectin matrix forms after five days of injury that determines the deposition of collagen . This results in skin tightening persisting for five to seven years in the form of collagen III . The depth of neocollagenesis has been found to be 5 – 600 µ m with a 1.5 mm length needle . 7
Since the inception of microneedling , there have been numerous types , makes , and models of needling devices . Devices vary in the diameter and length of the microneedles , generally ranging from 0.5 to 3.0 mm , offering flat-edged tips versus beveled tips . Current devices range from mechanical to manual models , with shorter needle lengths designed for home use , to rollers or stamps with longer needles
5 Fabbrocini G , Fardella N , Monfrecola A , Proietti I , Innocenzi D . Acne scarring treatment using skin needling . Clin Exp Dermatol . 2009 ; 34 ( 8 ): 874 – 879 .
6 Majid I , Sheikh G , September PI . Microneedling and its applications in dermatology InPrime . 7 . Vol . 4 . London : Informa Healthcare ; 2014 . Sep 15 , pp . 44 – 49 .
7 Aust MC , Fernandes D , Kolokythas P , Kaplan HM , Vogt PM . Percutaneous collagen induction therapy : An alternative treatment for scars , wrinkles , and skin laxity . Plast Reconstr Surg . 2008 ; 121:1421 – 9 .
102 iS Skin Source