It can however, be worked into a treatment plan for certain causes of pigmentation when the condition is not flaring, at certain times of the year and in selected skin types. When used incorrectly, microneedling can actually make pigmentation worse!
There is a chance that microneedling post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can occur in some individuals. This happens as a response to the way that the skin heals, leading to an overproduction of melanin in the treated areas.
The spots usually appear darker after the treatment, but a few days later they flake off leaving behind smooth even toned skin.
Microneedling should NOT make your lines or wrinkles worse. It takes a series of treatments to get the best results so I recommend giving it some time. You definitely should not have significantly aged only 5 days post treatment.
Your skin is going through a regeneration process and you may feel like the purging process has kicked in and your pigmentation almost looks worse. Try to remember this is a temporary process and your skin is actually doing what it should be.
As sun exposure worsens hyperpigmentation it is important to protect the skin with sunscreen on a daily basis. Treatment often begins with a skin care regimen composed of a daily sunscreen, moisturizers, and skin care brighteners.
Triggers include sun exposure, hormonal changes, and trauma to the skin, for example, due to acne or an injury. Picking at scabs and spots may make it worse. Some face creams can irritate the skin, leading to further hyperpigmentation.
Sun Protection: Your skin will be more sensitive to the sun after microneedling, and UV exposure can diminish your results. Avoid extended time outdoors, and if you need to be outside, use a sunscreen with SPF 50. Reapply every two hours for the best protection.
Why Do I Look Older After Microneedling? You might look older after microneedling because your skin is temporarily inflamed and shedding older layers.
Skin damage is a risk that commonly occurs with microneedling devices. The damage may include bleeding, bruising, redness, tightness, itching and peeling, and these typically go away without any treatment after a few days or weeks.
The skin's natural response to the micro-wounds might include inflammation, which can temporarily heighten the appearance of acne. Furthermore, improper aftercare, such as using comedogenic products or failing to keep the treated area clean, can increase the risk of breakouts.
Microneedling brightens and evens the skin tone gradually because it takes time for fibroblast cells to increase collagen production and repair skin tissue. Patients usually see an improvement within several weeks and the fading of dark spots after three to six months.
After Microneedling Treatment
You may notice that your skin is red and swollen for up to three days. During this time, use a gentle cleanser and moisturizer, and if necessary, use 1% hydrocortisone cream.
Microneedling does a tremendous job of lightening and reversing hyperpigmentation and sun damage. This is again due to the power of collagen production and its ability to repair and restore your skin. There's some research that suggests that microneedling is the most effective therapy for sun spots.
In the first few days following your laser treatment, you may notice that the pigmentation appears darker than before. This is caused by the treated pigment rising to the skin's surface as it breaks down, signalling the start of the healing process.
The average cost of microneedling in the US is about $640 per session, according to over 300 patient experiences on RealSelf. This can vary between $300 to $700, however, depending on: Your location: Prices may be higher in major cities or upscale clinics.
Immediately after microneedling, you may see some redness (lighter skin tones) or darker shades (darker skin tones) on your treated skin. Your treated skin may feel like it's sunburned, causing minor discomfort, burning, or swelling. These reactions usually disappear in a few days to a week.
Results will depend on the severity of the area being treated. The tightened and final results will be seen gradually over 6-9 months which is the time it takes for each individual's body to produce collagen naturally and for the skin to rebuild after injury.
Other microneedling side effects include: Damage to blood vessels. Skin irritation. Temporary or permanent nerve damage that could result in numbness or pain.
In fact, the devices commonly used to eviscerate the discoloration associated with those issues tend to make melasma worse by virtue of their heat, which can spark more pigment formation in the weeks following treatment.
Because microneedling actually creates numerous tiny but controlled injuries in the skin, you might also see very small marks on your skin after the procedure. However, these marks are temporary. Once your body's healing process kicks in, your skin can become clear, smooth, and revitalized.
Causes of hyperpigmentation include: Skin inflammation (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) Use of certain drugs (such as minocycline, certain cancer chemotherapies, and birth control pills) Hormone system diseases such as Addison disease.
Does Drinking Water Help Pigmentation? Research notes that increasing how much water you drink everyday can positively impact the skin's overall health and appearance. 5 This suggests, that in some cases, staying hydrated may help with some types of skin pigmentation.
Dark spots can vary in size and happen on parts of the body. But, they are most common in areas where sun exposure is imminent. Hyperpigmentation is common in people with darker skin as the spots are darker than usual.