Stretch marks are beautiful to some and uncomfortable to others. With many oils and lotions designed to help reduce scarring, it seems like a never ending effort to try to hide stretch marks. Without penetrating deep into the skin, a lot of those lotions may have a tough time. Thankfully, there's a new method for helping reduce stretch marks: The SkinPen micro needling procedure.
The SkinPen is the only FDA approved micro needling device that is used to stimulate collagen production, and produce smoother, brighter skin.
Microneedling is a facial and body treatment used to help reduce the appearance of acne scars and stretch marks as well as make your skin appear brighter and clearer. Microneedling or collagen induction therapy, is relatively new and not too invasive.. Superstars and actors have even gotten treatments. Jennifer Aniston said,“I do micro-needling! I just learned about it a couple months ago from a facialist in New York. It allows the serums and whatever products you’re using to really soak in”
“The minimally invasive microneedling technique involves a series of tiny, very fine needles that are passed over the skin, creating micro-injuries which trigger new collagen and elastin synthesis as the skin begins to naturally repair itself,” says Dendy Engelman, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Manhattan Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery. “These micro-injuries stimulate the growth of collagen, the scaffolding under the skin, which then improves the appearance of some scars and wrinkles. It also creates channels that allow various substances and serums to penetrate deeper into the skin resulting in better product efficacy.”
WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW BEFORE MICRONEEDLING?
Book a consultation with Alyssa Luciano, our Avere Beauty owner. She will be able to provide professional advice for your specific skin type. Some people may see better results than others, as with any procedure. Also, just know that it will take a few treatments to see optimal results. Avere Beauty offers FREE consultations at both our Lawrenceville and Export locations.
HOW TO GET RID OF STRETCH MARKS?
Stretch marks are sometimes a sensitive concern for people. Obviously, we encourage confidence and embracing yourself, but making yourself feel more comfortable is important.
Some lotions like cocoa butter and lasers might reduce the redness that can be caused when stretch marks first appear, but the results might disappoint long term. And lasers are extremely costly. The SkinPen penetrates the skin at the dermis level to start the healing.
Microneedling for Stretch Marks in Pittsburgh
Our Avere Beauty Pittsburgh office has a skin pen in both our Lawrenceville and Export med spas and offers micro needling in both. We like to treat stretch marks through our microneedling treatment. Microneedling is a minimally invasive treatment.
HOW DOES MICRONEEDLING WORK?
Microneedling uses tiny, well, micro-needles to create small punctures on the top layer of the skin which penetrate the dermis. The wounds “traumatize” the skin and trigger the body’s natural response of creating more collagen and elastin to heal the wounds. Left behind is improved texture and firmness, and a reduction in scars, pore size, and stretch marks. The natural healing process of the skin happens in three phases:
Inflammation – Once the skin is pierced, it triggers the response from the immune system to naturally disinfect the wounds, remove debris, increase the blood flow, and create new tissue.
Proliferation – The wound starts to rebuild itself with the new cells and the temporary collagen and elastin, as well as a new network of blood vessels.
Remodeling – The collagen produced in Phase 2 is replaced by even stronger collagen, allowing the skin to contract and create a tightening effect on the skin.
Since stretch marks cause a disruption in the natural production of collagen, microneedling will help not only restart that production, but the overproduction of elastin and collagen will help in healing the damaged connective tissue in the dermis that creates the stretch mark. A procedure like microneedling is also great for stretch marks because it penetrates the skin deep enough to create a reaction within the same layers that the stretch marks are instead of resting on the surface.
MICRONEEDLING NEAR EXPORT
Avere Beauty uses the SkinPen which is a medical-grade microneedling tool available to medical professionals. The longer needles of the SkinPen allows us to reach the dermis of the skin without bending, breaking, or rusting, so you won’t have to be concerned about scarring or infection.
WHAT ARE MICRONEEDLING TREATMENTS?
The SkinPen treatment consists of us gently moving the SkinPen across the area where there are stretch marks, or your face, with the tiny needles to create the micro-wounds. The length of the treatment depends on the number and size of the areas being treated. Usually, one session can take about 30 minutes to perform, with anywhere between 3 to 6 treatments over the span of 4 to 6 months based on the severity of the stretch marks.
Microneedling is safe and effective for all skin types and tones. It’s a great solution and alternative for treatments like chemical peels or lasers and can produce better results. This minimally invasive procedure is great for all who are trying to treat the appearance of their stretch marks. Call our Pittsburgh Microneedling office today to book now!
In the past, women have used all kinds of concoctions to try and get rid of stretch marks, from coconut oils and sugar scrubs, to seaweed wraps and Vitamin A creams.
Research shows that topical creams and oils are not effective on stretch marks as they do not penetrate deep enough into the skin. Micro needling or skin needling has emerged as a safe and effective way of getting rid of stretch marks – and it’s proven too. Have you ever thought of using skin needling for stretch marks?
WHAT ARE STRETCH MARKS?
Stretch marks are those squiggly lines on your skin that appear after it’s been stretched. This usually happens on the belly area when you are pregnant, and will usually remain there even after birth.
It can also appear on any area where fat is stored such as your arms, hips, thighs, breasts and bum. Is there anything you can do to prevent stretch marks? Despite what the old wives tell you the answer is no. Some people are just more prone to stretch marks no matter how much coconut oil or sweet almond oil you slather on.
HOW DO STRETCH MARKS FORM?
Stretch marks happen when the middle layer of your skin stretches too fast causing some of its collagen fibres to snap. As a result, the blood vessels underneath become more noticeable, presenting as purplish or pink marks on your skin. Over time, these marks fade and look like white or silver scars.
For some people, stretch marks are just battle scars from birth and they are happy to walk around with them. Others however, may be more self-conscious and prefer to get rid of them.
USING A DERMA ROLLER FOR STRETCH MARKS
A derma roller is a small handheld device with a roller at the top that is covered with lots of tiny needles. It has long been used as a skincare technique to reduce the appearance of scarring or wrinkles on the face, and to rejuvenate the skin.
How does it work? Basically, you just roll the derma roller over the affected area a few times, then you apply a nourishing skin serum. The tiny needles make superficial holes, triggering the skin’s natural healing and rejuvenation process. Most importantly, it stimulates collagen production – the miracle protein that holds connective tissue together, making your skin look younger and firmer. Derma rolling or skin needling also improves the skin’s ability to absorb nourishing moisturisers and serums, to plump up the skin. Derma rolling can be used on other areas of the body such as to target stretch marks.
AVERE BEAUTY USES SKINPEN
Avere Beauty uses the SkinPen (which is like an electric derma roller that is more advanced and precise) to make microscopic pricks on your skin to break down the scars and boost the collagen production process.
DERMA ROLLER AT HOME OR SKIN PEN?
Many people have included derma rollers into their skin care routine. It’s pretty easy, you can use it at home, and with regular use, your complexion can look visibly smoother. When it comes to treating stretch marks however, skin needling at a clinic might be the better choice. These are the benefits of skin needling at a clinic for stretch marks:
More hygienic – Derma rolling involves proper cleaning and disinfecting of the derma roller (and your skin). At professional skin clinics like Clinica Lase, your health and safety are our number one priority – all equipment and treatment rooms are sterilised and cleaned before each session.
You get expert advice – Microneedling is quite a specialised skill. Where should you needle for stretch marks? How long for? How deep should you dermaroll? What kind of serum do you apply after needling? At a clinic, the skin therapist is there to handle everything.
More effective results – For stretch marks, you need a longer needle to reach the affected area, which normal at-home derma rollers do not have.
CAN MICRONEEDLING GET RID OF STRETCH MARKS?
Stretch marks cannot be removed permanently (except with plastic surgery) but you can reduce their appearance. Of all the various stretch marks treatments out there, some doctors claim that ‘the best single treatment for stretch mark reduction is microneedling’.
Microneedling reduces stretch marks by improving the collagen content of your skin. A session might take about 45 minutes and you might need two or three sessions to see results. After that, you might need a session every four to 18 months, depending on your circumstances.
Think microneedling for stretch marks might be for you? Talk to us by calling 412-952-4504 or book now by clicking here.
Sources:
SINRICH, JENN. “Will Microneedling Banish Your Stretch Marks Once and for All?.”womenshealthmag.com. Women's Health, 2 Sep. 2016. Web. 10 Sep. 2020.
<https://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty/a19898408/microneedling>.
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