SkinPen Microneedling from U.S. Dermatology Partners

What is SkinPen?

SkinPen is a medical-grade device used to provide microneedling treatments. Microneedling is a procedure that uses small-gauge needles to create micro-injuries, triggering the skin’s natural healing response and increasing the production of collagen and elastin without leading to new or additional scar tissue formation. SkinPen was the first microneedling device cleared by the FDA for safe facial acne scar treatment.

Compared with other cosmetic dermatology options recommended to address scarring, fine lines, and wrinkles, the SkinPen microneedling procedure offers numerous advantages, including:

• Minimal downtime after the procedure
• Effective for treating all skin types and tones
• Short treatment times of about 30 minutes to an hour
• Comfortable and conservative procedure
• Safe treatment that harnesses the body’s natural healing ability
• Sterile cartridge with precise control over the depth of needles

Who is a Good Candidate for SkinPen?

One of the chief benefits of SkinPen microneedling is that men and women of any skin tone or type can receive effective microneedling treatment that improves their skin’s overall health and vitality. The versatile microneedling device can be used for a range of applications across many parts of the body, including the face, neck, decolletage, arms, and hands.

SkinPen may be recommended to address the appearance of:

• Facial Acne Scars
• Other Scar Tissue (including surgical and injury scars)
• Fine Lines
• Wrinkles
• Enlarged Pores
• Uneven Skin Texture
• Crepe Skin
• Minor Stretch Marks

Because microneedling is a conservative and minimally invasive treatment, it’s safe for almost all adult patients. However, it’s not recommended that patients receive SkinPen microneedling treatment if they have a current acne breakout or flareup, a chronic skin condition, a history of keloids or abnormal scarring, or if you’re pregnant.

How Does SkinPen Treatment Work?

Before we begin SkinPen treatments, patients need to visit their dermatologist for a cosmetic dermatology consultation appointment. During this intake visit, we’ll review your concerns, discuss cosmetic treatment options, and determine whether or not SkinPen microneedling is the best option for your needs. If we determine SkinPen is the right solution, you’ll schedule three to six treatment visits spread out four to six weeks apart. The number of treatments necessary depends on your treatment goals, areas being addressed, and your body’s response to SkinPen microneedling.

Once your dermatologist has planned out your SkinPen treatment, you’ll visit us for the first procedure appointment. Before we begin the procedure, a topical anesthetic may be applied to ensure your comfort throughout treatment. Depending on the size of the treatment area, the procedure itself usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour per treatment site. The medical-grade, innovative SkinPen device uses small-gauge needles to create hundreds of micro-injuries. The injuries to the skin jump-start the healing process, creating new, healthy skin with greater elasticity and firmness thanks to the increased production of collagen and elastin. Most people describe the sensation of receiving SkinPen treatment as a minor vibration or pulling against the skin.

Following your procedure, the appearance of the skin will continue to improve as it moves through three phases of natural skin repair, which is why you’ll need to take a break between treatment visits.

Specifically, you can expect the following:

• Phase 1 – The micro-injuries trigger an immune response, leading to increased blood flow, and the production of new skin cells to heal the wounds.
• Phase 2 – New healthy skin cells and a new network of blood vessels continue to develop as the skin heals. The body produces higher levels of collagen and elastin as it repairs the micro-injuries.
• Phase 3 – Finally, the new skin cells, blood vessels, collagen, and elastin come together, leaving patients with flawless new skin with less noticeable fine lines and wrinkles, reduced appearance of scar tissue, and generally better overall tone and texture.

Are There Side Effects to SkinPen?

Side effects of SkinPen treatment are mild and typically resolve within a few days to a week. Most patients have a reaction that looks and feels a bit like a mild sunburn. There may be some redness, swelling, irritation, dryness, and possibly bruising that clears up quickly, but most people see significant improvement after the first 48 hours. If you have more severe responses, make sure to let your dermatologist know right away.

How Long Will SkinPen Treatment Last?

The length of time your results last will depend on what area you’re treating as well as your body’s response. For people who choose SkinPen treatments to address scarring, the results should be permanent. For those who are addressing things like fine lines, wrinkles, and issues associated with skin tone and texture, additional follow-up treatment visits are likely to be necessary. Depending on how you respond to the initial course of treatment, your dermatologist will work with you to schedule regular visits to maintain your results. Most people need to visit their dermatologist for retreatment once or twice a year, but every person responds differently. During a follow-up visit after your last treatment in the series, your dermatologist will examine your skin to see how it’s responding to the SkinPen microneedling treatment and partner with you to create an ongoing plan to ensure you continue to look and feel your best. Your dermatologist will also discuss your skincare routine to ensure you maintain the effects of your SkinPen microneedling treatments as long as possible.

SkinPen Microneedling Before & After Images

• See Also
  • Acne
  • Microneedling
  • MicroPen EVO
  • Scar Treatment