MICRONEEDLING Author Dawn Cragg MBE. CPCP, CIDESCO, BASC
I am writing this post because of my grave concern over some of the current actions and statements made by those in the microneedling industry and / or those who are microneedling treatment providers. While I respect and appreciate the passion and sincerity of those who wish to contribute to the health and well-being of others suffering from damaged or aging skin, at the same time there has often been an over-zealousness that has prompted some to cross the line into areas that, in the long run, may damage or even cause grave injury. Remember, our first obligation is to do no harm.
Medical microneedling is just as it says... a " medical " treatment, not merely a service on a menu. Before one even brings this treatment into one ' s practice, serious foundational knowledge and training MUST be acquired... and I do not mean training that comes on the instruction leaflet accompanying a needling device, or from the device company on how to use their device.
Especially NOT going on social media and asking a group what one should do for a particular problem that their client has before they show up for their medical microneedling appointment, sometimes without having been seen beforehand. Imagine a doctor going on social media and asking his " friends " what he should do for a patient who is coming in for high blood pressure or for cancer. This analogy only applies in the respect that, as I said, medical microneedling is a MEDICAL treatment, and not some sort of intensive facial. Just because estheticians are currently allowed to do these treatments does not detract from the fact that this is serious. One must know " what " is involved when dealing with the underlying causes of skin ailments and the " whys " and " how’ s " to connect the dots before ever attempting to treat someone with this very invasive treatment. If, and ONLY if, estheticians have this basic foundational knowledge pertaining to needling specifically, then I am all for them continuing to perform this treatment.
Medical microneedling penetrates the dermis, and the application of substances( within the first 24 hours) which could be contaminated, is never an option. This could cause infection or an immune response where the risks can be extraordinarily severe.( http:// www. dailymail. co. uk /…/ Estate-agent-mot her-killed-ext …) To apply the latest cream or " recipe " from someone ' s blog because it " sounds " good, or because there are pictures that show improvement, is malpractice. Medical needling has serious complications, and we have to work within strict guidelines, or this will be taken away from estheticians.
Dawn was appointed as a Member of the Order of the British Empire( MBE) in the New Year 2010 Honours list, for outstanding achievement in the development of medical tattooing as a service to healthcare.