If you are prone to acne and have scars left behind to prove it (or any scars for that matter), large pores, fine lines and wrinkles, can’t quite seem to get rid of age spots or sun damage, or have stretch marks that won’t fade, microneedling is the fast, non-surgical and long-lasting solution you’ve been looking for.

Chances are you’ve heard of this popular cosmetic treatment. It’s been around since the 1990s and has gained massive traction in recent years thanks to new microneedling methods and technology. The two most popular methods are microneedling with MicroPen EVO and microneedling with Morpheus8. While both use tiny needles to puncture the skin to stimulate collagen production, they have a few differences and benefits.

In this article, we’ll tell you everything about this multi-use, all-natural cosmetic treatment adults of all ages and skin concerns can’t get enough of and how microneedling with the MicroPen EVO and Morpheus8 differs to help you decide which microneedling method is best for you.

What Are Microneedling Treatments?

Microneedling is one of the most effective non-invasive cosmetic procedures a person can undergo to improve acne, dramatically reduce scarring, minimize large pores, correct skin pigmentation issues, reverse sun damage and rejuvenate aging skin. Some people even use microneedling to help thinning hair and hair loss.

Microneedling treatments, as the name suggests, use tools with tiny sterile titanium needles to make microscopic holes in the skin’s surface. You might think, “Why on earth would I want to intentionally injure my skin?” Rest assured that the tiny wounds caused by the needles benefit your skin and can lead to impressive results.

The micro-injuries left behind from the pricks stimulate your skin’s natural healing process and trigger collagen and elastin production. We know it sounds like an odd and painful way to make your skin look better, but that is exactly what microneedling does – minus the pain thanks to ProNox.

Trust us when we say it sounds a lot scarier than it is. The punctures are just tiny pinpricks that are only surface-level deep. Most people say the procedure is painless, describing the treatment as nothing more than a “scratchy” feeling.

If, for some reason, you are experiencing high anxiety about having a microneedling treatment, Garza Plastic Surgery offers patients the option for an added layer of pain protection and anxiety relief with a revolutionary patient controlled pain management mixture of 50% Nitrous Oxide and 50% Oxygen that has a quick onset and is non-addictive. The system is called the Pro-Nox® pain management system– you can click here to learn more.

Another perk of microneedling is there is little to no downtime. You are in and out of the office in about 30 minutes and can immediately resume most activities. In fact, many of our patients pop in on their lunch break and go right back to work.

Microneedling can give you even, plump, unblemished, tighter skin without paying for expensive cosmetic surgeries and injections. With its quick and painless procedure, minimal downtime, and impressive results, it’s no wonder so many people are turning to this innovative treatment to achieve their best skin.

What Types of Microneedling Treatments are Available?

Nowadays, there are several types of microneedling products and techniques. You can even buy a derma roller for home use. However, we aren’t big fans of them. If you don’t use the correct technique in conjunction with the right serum, you could potentially cause permanent scarring and darkening of the skin. Furthermore, they are much less effective than medical microneedling treatments.

The two most popular and highly effective medical microneedling treatments are MicroPen EVO and Morpheus8. Each technique and tool has unique methods and benefits, but they both share a key feature—they help you achieve better skin with lots of tiny, thin needles that puncture the skin to help speed up cellular turnover and encourage collagen production.

Here is a breakdown of how these two popular microneedling treatments differ and at what age and circumstances you might benefit from one more than the other.

MicroPen EVO

MicroPen EVO is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared battery-operated microneedling device that uses powerful technology for collagen induction therapy. It is known as the gold standard of microneedling, offering a higher intensity collagen induction therapy compared to most microneedling devices.

MicroPen EVO is available only through medical professionals like Garza Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Solutions. In fact, our nurse practitioner Tracey Robinson was one of the first to offer the MicroPen in Nashville. So if you’re looking for a qualified and highly skilled person to perform your microneedling with the MicroPen EVO in Middle Tennessee, you are in the best hands with Tracey.

Because the MicroPen EVO is so advanced, it provides visible results for even the most severe skin issues. It also allows for customization and precision, as the depth and speed of the needles can easily be adjusted for ideal results. It is also safe for most skin types.

MicroPen EVO is safe for most skin types and can treat all of the following:

• Enlarged pores
• Acne breakouts
• Acne scars
• Surgical, burn, or injury scars
• Irregular skin texture, tone, and color
• Uneven complexion
• Hyperpigmentation, age spots and dark spots
• Dull or uneven complexion
• Sun damage
• Stretch marks

While adults of any age and skin issue severity can benefit from the MicroPen EVO microneedling method, the ideal candidate for MicroPen EVO microneedling is someone in their 20s to 30s just starting to see the signs of aging and those with only mild to moderate skin conditions.

Morpheus8

Microneedling with the advanced fractional treatment tool Morpheus8 has all the benefits of traditional microneedling and treats the same issues. The primary difference is that Morpheus8 has added radiofrequency (RF) energy technology to penetrate even deeper into the skin for maximum effectiveness.

This treatment stimulates adipose tissue in the dermis while promoting collagen production. In fact, Morpheus8 is so effective at perfecting, tightening, plumping and lifting skin many compare the results to a facelift. It’s an ideal solution for those who prefer a surgery-free, gradual and scar-free method of skin correction.

The ideal candidates for Morpheus8 treatment are 30 and older, experiencing a more severe loss of skin elasticity, sagging skin, and deep wrinkles. Regardless of age, Morpheus8 is the preferred choice for anyone with more significant scars or stretch marks. Morpheus8 is also frequently used by individuals who have already undergone a facelift, as the treatment can prolong results and maintain the effects of surgery.

Simply put, RF microneedling offers superior results over traditional microneedling due to the additional radiofrequency energy. The technology is more effective at triggering collagen production while boosting existing collagen to address various skin concerns.

Benefits of Microneedling

Most people seek microneedling treatments to refresh their skin when sun damage or the aging process causes uneven pigmentation… but because the process triggers the body’s natural healing response, the treatment can lead to a variety of benefits, including:

• Improved skin texture: Microneedling can help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and acne scars, leading to smoother, more youthful-looking skin.
• Increased collagen production: The puncturing of the skin triggers the body’s natural healing response, which includes the production of collagen, a protein that helps keep skin firm and elastic.
• Reduced hyperpigmentation: Microneedling can help reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation, such as sunspots and melasma, by encouraging the turnover of skin cells.
• Improved skin tone and complexion: By stimulating blood flow and encouraging the growth of new skin cells, microneedling can help improve skin tone and overall complexion.
• Reduced appearance of pores: Microneedling can help shrink the size of pores, leading to a smoother, more even-looking complexion.
• Increased absorption of skincare products: Microneedling can help improve the absorption of skincare products by creating small channels in the skin, allowing active ingredients to penetrate more deeply.

Overall, microneedling is a versatile cosmetic treatment that can help address a variety of skin concerns and improve the overall appearance and health of the skin.

Whatever microneedling treatment technique you choose, both MicroPen EVO and Morpheus8 microneedling are versatile treatments that can help address many skin concerns and improve the overall appearance and health of the skin.

The benefits of microneedling really are endless.

What to Expect During Your Microneedling Treatment

Regardless of your chosen medical microneedling method, the process is essentially the same. Before the treatment, your provider will clean your skin and apply a numbing cream to reduce any discomfort. Most people feel almost nothing after the numbing agent is applied.

Once your skin has been cleaned and prepared, the microneedling can begin. Using the microneedling device of choice, your trained and board-certified technician will press the device against your skin, gliding in one direction until the entire treatment area is covered.

The entire process usually takes around 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the size of the area being treated, and you can immediately return to work and other activities.

However, you may experience some redness and mild swelling similar to a minor sunburn. This typically subsides within 24 hours, a few days at most. Additionally, you will need to wait for at least 24 to 72 hours before any make-up, or tinted moisturizer products can be applied to the skin.

What to Expect Following Your Microneedling Treatment

Your provider will provide step-by-step aftercare instructions on how to care for your skin after the treatment and send you home with everything you need. It is important that you follow our team’s instructions carefully. The better you care for your skin following the treatment, the longer the results will last.

To ensure optimal results from your microneedling treatment and reduce the risk of complications, here are some additional aftercare tips to keep in mind:

• If you enjoy working out, you should get your sweat session in beforehand. We advise patients to avoid excess sweating for about 24 hours after microneedling, as it can contribute to irritation and swelling while potentially exposing the skin to bacteria.
• Avoid using harsh products on your face for the first week after the treatment. Your skin care products should not contain active ingredients that will harm the treatment area. And as mentioned earlier, this includes not wearing make-up immediately following your treatment.
• Drink lots of extra water and avoid drinking too much coffee or alcohol for a few days following treatment. Staying hydrated and avoiding beverages that can cause dehydration will help speed up your skin’s healing process.
• Avoid direct sun exposure for at least 24-48 hours after a microneedling treatment, and wear sunscreen. Because your pores will be open, wearing an SPF of at least 30 is important after microneedling to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays and prevent hyperpigmentation.

Microneedling or not, we highly recommend sticking to a consistent year-round routine of having SPF 30+ in your daily skincare regimen. Wearing sunscreen (even in the winter or when the sun is not shining) is one of the best ways to prevent skin aging and prevent skin cancer.

If you’re looking for a chemical-free and safe sunscreen, ZO Skin Health offers some of our favorites. You can find out more by clicking on any of the links below. If you still have questions, give us a call. Our skincare experts would be happy to help you decide which sunscreen is best for you.

SUNSCREEN + PRIMER SPF 30

SMART TONE BROAD-SPECTRUM SPF 50

SUNSCREEN + POWDER BROAD-SPECTRUM SPF 45 – MEDIUM

DAILY SHEER BROAD SPECTRUM SPF 50

BROAD-SPECTRUM SUNSCREEN SPF 50

How Many Sessions of Microneedling Does It Take To See Results?

As soon as the mild redness disappears, you will notice some immediate effects of microneedling, such as smoother and softer skin, reduced pore size, and a brighter complexion, but it may take a few weeks to see full results.

The primary goal of microneedling is to enhance the appearance of your face by stimulating collagen production. This process doesn’t happen overnight. The results will gradually appear as more collagen is produced in areas that need it most.

How many treatments you will need really depends on your age and current skin health when you get your microneedling treatments. Younger people usually see results within one to two treatment sessions. However, if you’re older or your skin has significant damage, it may take as many as six sessions for you to start noticing significant results.

After that, ultimately, how long the results last is up to you. To get the most out of your treatment sessions, you should avoid smoking, use moisturizer daily, and use sunscreen daily.

Does Microneedling Help Skin Issues Permanently?

Microneedling can have long-lasting effects on the skin, but it is not a one-and-done permanent skin solution; some maintenance is usually necessary. But this is true for most cosmetic treatments such as lasers, Botox and filler. Even the results of plastic surgery procedures, such as a facelift, might not last forever.

To give an analogy, think of microneedling as exercising at the gym. Just as regular exercise can help improve your physical health and fitness, microneedling can help improve the health and appearance of your skin. However, just as you need to continue to exercise to maintain your fitness level, you may need to continue to receive periodic microneedling treatments to maintain the effects on your skin over time.

That said, you can expect long-lasting results from microneedling. The skin-perfecting benefits can last several months to a few years, depending on the method used, age, skin condition, and lifestyle habits.

Schedule Your Microneedling Consultation Today

At some point, we will all look in the mirror to see fine lines and wrinkles, loose/sagging skin, sun damage and more. Aging is a fact of life, but thanks to microneedling, looking our age doesn’t have to be.

At Garza Plastic Surgery, we believe everyone can look younger and more rejuvenated with skin free of acne scars, enlarged pores and wrinkles. That’s why we’re proud to offer numerous ways to tighten your facial skin without surgery and make your skin look its best– including the most advanced microneedling treatments, like the MicroPen EVO and Morpheus8, to our patients in Nashville.

For more information on these revolutionary treatments and to talk to the friendly professionals at Garza Plastic Surgery in Nashville, TN, about which microneedling method is best for you, contact us today to schedule your initial complimentary consultation.