Microneedling v Cosmetic Surgery
Microneedling or a “facelift”…Which is best for me?
If you’re wanting a more immediate solution (with little effort and less costs) to looking more youthful, feeling younger and more vibrant and confident, then microneedling is a great solution. If you’re looking for a more permanent and long-term solution (and you are willing to invest the money and take the time to achieve it), a facelift may be the best choice for you. The risks of surgical facelifts are greater than microneedling, but the results are almost immediate and last a lot longer than microneedling does – as microneedling requires multiple sessions to achieve the results you are hoping for.
Essentially, the difference between microneedling and facelifts is microneedles and a knife–that’s it. For surgical facelifts, you’re put under general anesthetic and a scalpel is used to cut into your face – which results in scarring.
Microneedling on the other hand is an outpatient service, taking about 20 minutes where tiny needles are inserted into the skin at an incredibly fast rate. Microneedling is less invasive, and surgery is quite invasive as it is considered major surgery. What’s the difference then? Again, it’s a scalpel versus micro needles.
For most people, microneedling is the solution as it utilizes the body’s natural processes of healing to achieve a more youthful look in a matter of minutes. Microneedling allows you to look and feel younger in minutes as it eliminates wrinkles, tightens the skin, improves and smooths out old acne scars and skin pigmentation.
While your pores are opened and exposed during a microneedling procedure, it’s a perfect opportunity to aid your skin’s renewal by infusing skin revitalization products into the pores, which boosts your skin’s healing abilities. By adding skin revitalization products such as hydrating cleansers, renewal serums, moisturizer, masks and mists, you can achieve longer-lasting results.
The Benefits of Microneedling…
The miniature puncture holes injure the skin alerting the body which recognizes this triggering the body to go into healing mode which then starts producing collagen and elastin, Collagen provides structure and elasticity for your skin, keeping it smooth and young looking. As you age, your body makes less collagen, and fine lines and wrinkles can start to form. By stimulating the body to make extra collagen, microneedling provides many benefits for your skin, plumping the skin and improving the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and even scarring. An added bonus is that these micro pin pricks allow potent skincare products to reach and treat the deeper layers of skin.
Microneedling is a minimally invasive skin procedure that causes tiny “injuries” to your skin that you can barely feel, but that prompt your body’s natural healing and regeneration processes to take over. Microneedling, sometimes referred to as “collagen induction therapy” or a needle facial, is the insertion of micro fine, short needles into the skin through the use of a tool called a “derma roller”. This derma roller (which looks like a miniature metallic paint roller) creates tiny pin-prick punctures as it gently rolls across the skin.
Improved Elasticity
Not only does microneedling boost collagen production, it also enhances the production of elastin which makes your skin more flexible, reduces sagging and wrinkling, and gives your skin more flexibility.
Smaller Pores
Collagen fills out and plumps the area around each of the exposed pores, minimizing them, making the pores smaller.
Scar Treatment
Scars from trauma, acne, and stretch marks cause depressions in your skin. Collagen can help fill in these damaged areas, resulting in more smooth and even skin texture.
Smoother Skin
The newly produced collagen fills in fine lines and reduces wrinkles, making your skin look more youthful. With each repeated treatment, you can see even more significant improvements in your appearance.
Skin Toning
Microneedling improves hyperpigmentation as it smooths out blemishes and differences in skin tone. Hyperpigmentation of scars on DARKER skin can be an added problem, which is resolved by microneedling.
Microneedling can be accomplished in a short time, and without any downtime. The side effects are usually very mild, involving slight redness or swelling. The micro injuries heal in just a day or two, and collagen production from the treatment will be fully visible in two or three months. You can repeat the procedure as needed to improve your skin’s appearance.
Other Differences between Surgery and Microneedling…
RISKS
Surgery is invasive. With any major surgery, the risks are much greater. The body reacts to major surgery with a stress response. The complications from surgery include the healing process, bleeding, infection, slow healing of the incisions, potential injury to surrounding areas, and scarring. Blood clots are always a risk as are cardiac arrests and strokes. With a microneedling procedure, a tiny bit of blood may result from the pinpricks, but there is no scarring. In fact, microneedling reduces scarring. The risk of microneedling would be a tainted needle. This can be avoided by having a certified technician perform the microneedling procedure.
RECOVERY TIME
A facelift requires a significant amount of down time and recovery. It is recommended that at least a week should be taken off of work, exercise should be put off for a month, and other mildly strenuous activities should be avoided. Swelling and bruising can linger for months. A microneedling procedure can be performed during a lunch break and is usually healed in a few days.
COST
Surgical facelifts are major surgery and carry all the costs associated with surgery and anesthesia. Not only are more doctors and attendants needed, operating room and equipment is required, and then there are the overnight costs. A microneedling procedure only requires one clinician for only 20 minutes and uses one instrument.
What are you waiting for?
Ready to learn more about microneedling? The Sylfirm X RF Microneedling skin treatment is the solution and is available at our Meridian Idaho and Twin Falls Idaho locations.
Learn more at: Skin Treatments – HORMONES + WEIGHT LOSS
