At Serenity MedSpa, we’re excited to offer our clients skin rejuvenation with microneedling for the face and body. This procedure uses the Eclipse MicroPen™ Elite, the most advanced medical-grade automated microneedling device available.
During the microneedling procedure, topical serums make the microneedle glide on the skin. Most clinics use just hyaluronic acid. At Serenity MedSpa, we offer three different advanced topical infusions that can be used to enhance your results:
- PRP Facial®: Microneedling with PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)
- Snow White Facial: Microneedling with Snow White Serum from South Korea
- Snail Facial: Microneedling with growth factors from Cryptomphalus aspersa snail secretions
PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin) can be used instead of PRP for even better results. PRF can also be applied topically and injected under the eyes and/or around the mouth at the end of any of the microneedling facials to help with dark circles and to further rejuvenate the skin.
What is automated microneedling with MicroPen Elite?
Automated microneedling (a.k.a. epidermal collagen induction therapy, or ECIT) is one of the latest innovations in aesthetic medicine. The treatment uses disposable microneedle tips attached to the MicroPen to make controlled micro-injuries in the skin. These microinjuries stimulate collagen and elastin production to tighten the skin and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
What are the benefits of microneedling?
- Improves fine lines and deeper wrinkles
- Reduces acne and traumatic scars
- Softens stretch marks
- Evens skin tone
- Lightens hyperpigmentation and sun spots
- Reduces appearance of pores
- Firms and smooths skin texture
- Brings back the glow for fresher, younger-looking skin
PRP FACIAL
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) can be applied topically during the microneedling procedure and also injected into the skin right after the treatment to greatly enhance the microneedling benefits.
What Is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)?
PRP comes from your own blood and contains high concentrations of platelets and growth factors that help your tissue heal and grow new cells. PRP is obtained by drawing a small amount of blood from your arm into a sterile tube. The tube is centrifuged to separate your plasma, the portion of the blood that we use for the treatment, from your red and white blood cells, which settle to the bottom of the tube.
Historically, PRP has been primarily used in orthopedic medicine, dentistry and reconstructive surgery to help speed recovery. Now it’s used in aesthetic medicine to help damaged, aging skin grow new collagen and elastin for beautiful, youthful results.
What are the benefits of microneedling with PRP?
When PRP is used with microneedling, it penetrates your skin through the tiny channels the microneedles create. The PRP supercharges the microneedling benefits. PRP also addresses under-eye puffiness and dark circles to give you a more youthful, well-rested appearance. Since PRP is derived from your own blood, the side effects are virtually eliminated.
How else is PRP used?
PRP has many other applications. For example, PRP can be used to:
SNOW WHITE FACIAL
What are the ingredients and benefits of the Snow White Serum?
Instead of PRP, we can topically infuse the Snow White Serum during the microneedling to enhance the results. The Snow White serum contains three main ingredients:
- Glutathione: Glutathione is a strong antioxidant that helps to brighten skin tone.
- PDRN: Polymerized Deoxy Ribo-Nucleotide (PDRN) is derived from Alaskan salmon sperm (which is similar to human DNA) that helps to regenerate tissue and repair damaged skin from aging and UV rays. PDRN helps build collagen and elastin and reduce wrinkles, fine lines and pore size.
- Hyaluronic acid: Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring sugar molecule in your body and helps to deeply hydrate the skin.
SNAIL FACIAL
Alternatively, we can topically infuse Tensage® Intensive Serum 40, which contains high level of growth factor derived from Cryptomphalus aspersa snail secretions.
These growth factors:
- Repair skin following the microneedling procedure
- Minimize healing time
- Reduce negative procedural side effects
- Optimize procedural outcomes
- Restore elasticity, tone and texture
For the best results, you can continue to use one ampoule per day for 7 days, followed by one ampoule weekly for 3 weeks in the evening (for a total of 10 ampoules in each kit).
Which areas of the body can be treated with microneedling?
- Face
- Neck
- Décolleté
- Arms
- Hands
- Legs
- Abdomen
- Back
Am I a good candidate for microneedling?
Microneedling is a very safe and effective treatment to improve your skin, regardless of skin type. The depth of the microneedle can be adjusted to meet your individual needs and goals. Due to its low-risk profile, microneedling is a good option for people who aren’t good candidates for lasers, such as those prone to hyperpigmentation. Microneedling is also very powerful for treating scars and stretchmarks on the face and body.
How Is microneedling performed?
First, we apply a strong topical numbing cream to the treatment area for optimal comfort. We then insert a new, sterile cartridge containing 12 microneedles into the MicroPen and set the depth based on your skin’s unique needs.
Before, during and after the microneedling procedure we apply your prepared PRP solution or a specialty serum to the treatment area to ensure it gets fully absorbed.
What does microneedling feel like?
Since we apply a strong topical numbing cream prior to the treatment, discomfort is significantly lessened. Microneedling feels like light sandpaper being moved across the skin.
How long does the procedure take?
We allow the topical numbing to work for 30-45 minutes, depending on your sensitivity. The microneedling treatment takes about 15-20 minutes for the face. Afterwards, we apply a soothing peptide mask on the treated skin for about 10 minutes.
If you are using PRP, your blood will be drawn from your arm and centrifuged while you’re numbing. If you opt to add PRF to your microneedling treatment, your blood will be drawn at the end of the treatment, centrifuged for 5 minutes and then injected into the desired areas and applied topically for improved results.
What is the downtime after microneedling?
The downtime is minimal with only 1-3 days of mild redness, dryness and light peeling, depending on the aggressiveness of the treatment. Using our post-treatment kit will help speed your recovery.
When will I see results after the microneedling treatment?
You’ll notice an immediate glow and the tone and texture of your skin will continue to improve over the next few weeks. Collagen production will continue over the next six months.
How many treatments are needed for optimal results?
We recommend a series of at least three treatments about four to six weeks apart. A yearly maintenance treatment will help maintain your results.
Before and After Photos
How Is MicroPen different from dermal needling rollers?
- Adujustable needle depth: Dermal needling rollers are the first generation of needling devices. They have a fixed depth and can’t be adjusted to meet different skin needs. Elipse MicroPen Elite has an adjustable needle tip to vary the depth of penetration throughout the treatment. We can now address the specific needs of your crow’s feet, lower eyelids, forehead, upper lip, cheeks and neck with a single needle tip instead of multiple dermal needle rollers.
- Safer: MicroPen is safer than dermal rollers due to its sterile single-use surgical grade disposable needle tips. The unique features of the Turbo Safety Needle® of the Eclipse MicroPen provide greater efficiency and clinical results while ensuring the highest level of safety. Because the MicroPen works on ALL skin types, it’s a great choice for almost everyone.
- Faster: MicroPen’s high-speed motor enables quick needle penetration. This provides a more comfortable experience.
- Better results: Safety and control features produce predictable and consistent results.
How is microneedling different from lasers?
When used correctly, skin resurfacing lasers can be a wonderful tool for treating aging skin. Lasers use a focused light to create heat that destroys undesirable pigmentation and stimulates collagen and elastin production. This results in tighter skin and with improved skin tone and fewer wrinkles. Although lasers can be effective for many people, they are not ideal for treating patients with naturally darker skin (Fitzpatrick type IV and above). Since microneedling mechanically breaks up the pigment and remodels collagen without heat, it can be a safer and more comfortable alternative to lasers.
To determine if you are a good candidate for microneedling, schedule a consultation with Dr. Lisa Kang.
For San Francisco, North Bay and East Bay clients, call our SF office at (415) 781-9200 or email us at Info@SerenityMedSpa.com.
For Peninsula and South Bay clients, call (650) 887-7777 or email us at Burlingame@SerenityMedSpa.com.
*Results may vary
