Mirco Needling for Scar Revision

What is Micro Needling?

Microneedling is a minimally invasive treatment that can transform the skin in a number of ways. The goal, as always for The Dermal Health Alliance is to restore skin functionality and integrity when the skin has sustained sun damage, scarring or inflammation.

Needling has been proven to optimise cell function, preserve the integrity of the epidermis, strengthen the dermo-epidermal junction whilst preserving the dermal papillae, can break down fibrosis and scar tissue, stimulates collagen induction by increasing transforming growth factor -B3 (TGF-B3) and initiates regeneration (Setterfield, 2017).

What are the benefits of skin micro needling?

• Micro Needling recruits monocytes, macrophages, Langerhan cells, T-helper cells and natural killer cells (immune responders to the site).

• It releases the epidermal growth factor interleukins (immune cytokines).

• Strengthens collagen formation in both the connective tissue and the capillary walls making this a very viable treatment option for rosacea.

• Micro Needling improves follicular function for those suffering with hairloss.

• Releases interferons (glycoproteins with antitumor properties that modulate immune responses and cell proliferation; produced by fibroblasts, leukocytes, helper T-cells and cytotoxic cells).

• Restores keratinocyte function and optimises pigment uptake.

• Micro Needling promotes melanosome transfer.

• “Normalises melanogenesis, melanocyte differentiation, dendrite formation and proliferation via mitogen-activated protein kinase” (Setterfield, 2017).

SkinPen from Crown Aesthetics

There are many devices on the market but as we are an evidence-based practice, The Dermal Health Alliance/Skin Rehab™ has partnered with SkinPen from Bellus Medical. This is one of the only needling devices approved by the FDA (USA) and Australia’s TGA for therapeutic use in a medical practice. The quality and accuracy of SkinPen allows for outstanding results with minimal risks and negligible downtime.

Your SkinPen Micro Needling treatment

It is important to prepare the skin for any advanced treatment and skin needling is no different. Preparation and ongoing compliance with home care prescriptives will ensure optimal results and long-term health and restoration of your skin. With the correct preparation in place, the SkinPen program can begin! Skin restoration and rejuvenation is underway!

Every SkinPen treatment includes a post-treatment kit to be used for the first 3-5 days after your treatment. Prior to all dermal therapy programs and homecare recommendations, a thorough consultation and Skin Health Assessment is needed to determine treatment suitability and correct programming to achieve the outstanding results that SkinPen delivers.

A Micro Needling treatment includes the following:

1. Skin Health Consultation & Assessment

2. Clinical cleanse and skin prep

3. LED Light Therapy (optional pre-needling for some conditions)

4. SkinPen needling performed

5. SkinFuse Rescue Balm is applied

6. Mineral SPF can be applied (option but preference is not for 24 hours post needling)

7. Post care instructions discussed and post-treatment kit explained.

8. Skin Health Review or next session in program re-booked

How long does a Micro Needling Treatment take?

The time to complete this treatment is 30-45 minutes.

What is the downtime for a Micro Needling treatment?

There is zero downtime and you can return to work or your normal daily routine immediately. The most you will feel and see is a flushing of the skin and a warm sensation, like a mild sunburn effect. This sensation can last up to 24 hours until the micro-channels have closed. There are some Do’s and Don’t’s to be considered post-treatment and this is discussed at the beginning of your treatment and all post-care information goes home with you.

How often can I receive a Micro Needling treatment?

Most SkinPen programs begin with a package of 3 and depending on your condition being treated, can be done every 2-6 weeks apart. Mesotherapy/Cosmetic needling can be done every 2 weeks, whilst Dermal needling every 4-6 weeks. Dermal needling requires the complete healing phase to be finished and not interfered with from another needling session. You can have LED, Traditional Skin Therapy, light Microdermabrasion or SRS Structural Remodelling or a Prescriptive treatment with dermal delivery in between your needling sessions. This will maximise regeneration of collagen, skin toning and delivery of actives trans-dermally. These modalities create exceptional results when used in conjunction with needling and again, like microdermabrasion, all of these treatments can be used on any area of the body.

Full face & neck $325

Pre-paid package of 3 treatments $850 (save $125)

Decolletage only $250

Pre-paid package of 3 treatments $650 (save $100)

Face, neck & decolletage $475

Pre-paid package of 3 treatments $1250 (save $175)

Types of Micro Needling

Micro Needling is done in two modes, either as Mesotherapy (Cosmetic Needling) or as Medical (Dermal) Needling. Scope of Practice determines how far a practitioner can work safely, but science and knowledge of the skin will determine the depth of penetration required and whether cosmetic/epidermal needling is suited over dermal needling. This is dependant on the condition being treated and the individual parameters of the patient’s skin health profile.

Medical/Dermal Needling for Scar Revision & Stretch Marks

Medical needling is a stand alone therapy used to stimulate the wound healing cascade from the dermis. By delivering a micro-trauma to the epidermis, cellular communication via keratinocytes (skin cells) initiates signals to the cells in the basement membrane of the epidermis & the papillary dermis (just below the dermo-epidermal junction). A correction to skin laxity and wrinkles can occur when the fibroblast cells are activated to respond. The fibroblasts is the cell responsible for creating collagen synthesis and a healthy extracellular matrix which, provides volume and density. The micro-trauma that occurs at this level of the skin increases and recruits platelets, fibroblasts, endothelial, epithelial and immune cells to the area.  Needling is one of the best ways to counteract UV induced damage & to reset all cellular metabolic processes. The mechanism of action of mesotherapy works by stimulating keratinocytes to release and up-regulate growth factors and cytokines (Setterfield, 2017). This cellular activity improves the cell-to-cell communication which also has an impact on stimulating collagen formation in the dermis.

The depth of penetration does not need to be deep to stimulate a powerful response & amazing results. For acne scarring, stretch marks & deep scarring, a referral maybe required to an appropriate practitioner where topical anaesthetics maybe needed. This is a medical technique & a multi-modal approach is often used for specific indications. The downtime from the medical needling varies & suitability for this method is determined at your Skin Health Assessment.

After assessing the scar with the appropriate algorithm, a treatment strategy is developed that may include mesotherapy, dermal needling, LED, professional resurfacing/peeling &/or Platelet Rich Plasma for the regeneration & initiation of healthy collagen production.

Each Tx is individualised & itemised. Scar revision is a complex therapy & can be managed collaboratively with your medical practitioner, surgeon or wound care professional.

NB: Specialised nursing interventions may be eligible for those on NDIS.

Mesotherapy/Cosmetic Needling

Traditional mesotherapy is the process where active ingredients are “injected” into the skin. The active ingredients used in this method can be enzymes, hormones & medications, vitamins, hyaluronic acid, peptides and/or natural plant extracts.