Microneedling Therapy also called Collagen Induction    Therapy (CIT), and Percutaneous (through the skin) Collagen Induction (PCI), is a minimally invasive skin-rejuvenation procedure that involves the use of a needling device. The needles are used to puncture the skin and create controlled injury at a specific depth. Each puncture creates a channel that triggers the body to heal these micro wounds by producing new collagen and elastin in the papillary dermis. In addition, new capillaries are formed for improved blood supply. With Microneedling, the top layer of the skin is parted without being damaged, leaving the skin, intact. It does not “burn” the skin like peels or more invasive lasers. Using a microneedling pen device the needle penetration depth can be adjusted from 0.25mm to 2.50mm to treat different body areas and the skin conditions. Using skin needling consistently will trigger the bodies repair process until the desired level of skin rejuvenation is achieved. The Microneedling process stimulates the improvement in skin texture, firmness and hydration as well as reduction in wrinkles, pigmentation, scars, pore size, hair loss and stretch marks. This rejuvenating treatment will leave the skin revitalized and younger looking. In short: Microneedling is a non-invasive procedure that uses a needling pen with 12 – 33 gauge surgical stainless needles steelegr(CytoPen®). The needling action causes fine holes (micro wounds) punctured into the deep layers of the skin, up to 2.5 mm deep. These micro-injuries promote the skins own healing mechanisms to stimulate new collagen and elastin fibers. This procedure improves skin texture, tone and reduces the appearance of scarring and fine lines. Microneedling is also safe on all skin colors. Unfortunately, our body stops producing collagen in our mid to late 20’s, and by the time we are 35, half the collagen levels in our skin will be lost. After age 30 our collagen level drops 1% - 2% every year. Microneedling helps reduce this aging effect by stimulating collagen production through controlled injury of the skin. The skins self-repair response is turned on by the thousands of ‘micro-channels’ created in the skin 4 that triggers new collagen production and allows for better transdermal delivery of the products applied. This will increase effectiveness of the procedure and heal the skin further. 

Who should NOT undergo a MN procedure??

PATIENTS WHO:
• Have a used Accutane (isotretinoin) within the last six months
• Have open wounds, cuts or abrasions on the area being treated.
• Have had radiation treatment to the skin within the last year
• Have any kind of current skin infection or herpes simplex in the area to be treated                        microneedling can trigger outbreaks)
• Are pregnant or breast feeding (all the nutrients should go to the baby and not to repair the      skin). Also, numbing cream cannot be applied to nursing mother.
• Have any history of keloid scars (in the area being treated)
• Poor wound healing
• Eczema, Psoriasis, Active Acne, Rosacea, or other chronic skin conditions (in the area being         treated)
• Actinic (Solar) Keratosis
• Diabetes (delayed wound healing)
• Presence of raised moles, warts, or lesions within treatment area
• Have had microneedling within the last 4 weeks.
• Botox within 2 weeks or dermal filler injected within the last 4 weeks of the Microneedling           treatment. (In the area that will be treated)

Absolute contraindications include: Scleroderma; Blood clotting problems; Collagen vascular diseases; Cardiac abnormalities; Immunosuppression; Active bacterial or fungal infections; Scars less than 3 months old.