Microneedling
Q & A

Okay, so, in order to explain this properly...I'm going to give you all a quick skin care lesson...

When we're young (and I'm talking YOUNG - think 25 and under), our cells turn over roughly every thirty days or so; as a result, our old dead cells slough off and are replaced with nice, bouncy new cells. As we age, this process begins to slow down; eventually our cells might only be turning over every sixty days or so (I know! It sucks!).

This is where the thought process behind "resurfacing" treatments comes into play (i.e.- microdermabrasion and peels). With both of the aforementioned services, you are damaging the surface of the skin intentionally (with the Microdermabrasion, you are actually abrading the skin with tiny little cuts and scrapes...while, with the Peels, you are performing a controlled burn on the surface of the skin). The reason for this is that by causing damage to the surface of the skin, your body kicks into high gear saying (essentially), "Oh shit! We have damage! We need to turn over new cells to repair that damage A.S.A.P.!"

So, in essence, by encouraging more rapid cellular turnover, these traditional "resurfacing" treatments basically dupe your skin into functioning like a younger skin. Incidentally, this is also how Retin-A's and Renova's work...just on a lesser scale.

With that being said…Microneedling is different!

Microneedling goes a step further than the aforementioned traditional resurfacing treatments, although it can be used in conjunction with them! When we perform the aforementioned traditional resurfacing treatments, we're working on the surface of your skin (aka - the Stratum Corneum); by use of either physical or chemical means, we're working to "plane down" the outer layer of your skin, thus improving texture, reducing fine lines and evening out tone. When we microneedle your skin, we are also creating microinjuries to the surface of your skin, via tiny little holes, known as "Microchannels"; however, through the use of needles (up to 1mm in depth), we are able to pass right through the Stratum Corneum and to go deeper into your skin.

Because of this, we are able to stimulate cellular repair at a significantly deeper level. Not only does our body turn over new cells to repair the surface damage, but it begins producing more Collagen (the "bulk/bounce" of your skin) and Elastin (the "snap back" of your skin)...in fact, InnoPen Microneedling has been shown to increase Collagen by as much as 400%!

In addition to using the Microneedling Pen on your skin, we also massage anti-aging serums into your skin, further promoting the youth restoration process. Finally, here at Balance Day Spa, your treatment is FURTHER reinforced by a full 30-minute Celluma Anti-Aging LED Light Therapy Treatment!

So, what does all this mean? You are basically harnessing the power of your body's ability to heal itself and using it to reverse the damage caused by the aging process! As your body works to repair itself and your elastin and collagen increase, your wrinkles are actually smoothed from the inside out!

MICRONEEDLING CAN HELP WITH A MULTITUDE OF SKIN CONCERNS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

-Wrinkles
-Rosacea
-Uneven Skin Tone and Texture
-UV Damage
-Enlarged Pores
-Acne Scarring

The Following is a List of ABSOLUTE Contraindications...Meaning That You CANNOT Have Microneedling, Under ANY Circumstances:

-Active Bacterial, Viral or Fungal Infection/Inflammation
-New Scar Tissue or Wounds
-Anticoagulant Medications or Blood Clotting Issues
-Immunosuppression
-Uncontrolled Cardiac Abnormalities
-Scleroderma
-Sunburn
-Use of Accutane in the Past 6 Months
-HIV/AIDS
-Hepatitis
-Use of Topical Steroids in the Treatment Area within the Past 3 Months

ADDITIONALLY:
I will NOT perform Microneedling during pregnancy. I also do NOT advise Microneedling for those who are prone to keloids.

PLEASE NOTE:
-If you are prone to Cold Sores, you may wish to speak with your doctor about completing a course of Valtrex, prior to treatment, as the Microneedling can trigger an outbreak in some individuals.

-In some instances, Microneedling can trigger Eczema, Psoriasis and other chronic skin conditions (Although we have not personally seen this with InnoPen).

These treatments are all workable with Microneedling; however, the following strict timing guidelines MUST be followed:

-Botox, Microdermabrasion, Chemical Peels - MUST be done a MINIMUM of two weeks before OR two weeks after Microneedling

-Fillers and Laser Treatments - MUST be done a MINIMUM of one month before OR one month after Microneedling

-Accutane - You MUST be off of Accutane for a MINIMUM of six months before Microneedling (better yet...NEVER go on Accutane...it is HORRIBLE for your long-term health!)

-POD Threads - You MUST wait a MINIMUM of one month before beginning Microneedling

-NO Retin-A products for at least one week prior to Microneedling

-No Autoimmune Therapies OR Products for at least one week prior to Microneedling

In short, because I only accept the very best for my clients. InnoPen is the ONLY Microneedling Pen on the market which is made with CLOSED Tips.

Why does this matter?

Well...when OPEN Tips are used in Microneedling, the needles are often dragged across the face, causing microtears. This can result in serious issues for individuals who scar or hypo pigment easily, particularly for those with darker skin tones.

Because of InnoPen's patented "closed tip", dragging is not a possibility, as the Microneedling is actually performed via a "stamping" motion. This insures microchannels of even depth and it promotes deposition of fresh new collagen, WITHOUT scar formation. Pretty amazing, huh?

InnoPen is a highly safe, and effective, medical device. In addition to being FDA-registered, it is also medically marked CE, by the European Union; additionally, it is approved by Health Canada.

Furthermore, InnoPen's Parent Company (CRL) were the first to introduce Microneedling to the United States, almost 25 years ago (in the year 2000, to be exact...my God, can that possibly have been almost a quarter of a century ago?!). We have already discussed InnoPen's patented closed tip, which is quite amazing.

All components of the InnoPen are manufactured in the United States, with the singular exception of it's motor, which is made in Germany. The needle cartridge is 100% sterile, via y-Gamma sterilization, and is obviously changed out every time that the pen is used...I WILL BE OPENING THE NEW CARTRIDGE IN FRONT OF YOU EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

Lastly, due to the fact that InnoPen's precision needle insertion causes minimal damage at the skin's surface, it is safe to Microneedle year-round! The needles are medical-grade Stainless Steel, 31 gauge.

No, when done properly, it does NOT hurt at all! I speak from experience, as I have performed a number of Microneedling Treatments on myself!

After cleansing and exfoliating you, you will spend a solid 15-minutes "numbing up" under a topical Lidocaine masque (no worries...I will treat you to a lovely decollate massage to pass some of this time!).

Honestly, not too much at all! First of all, because of InnoPen's patented "closed tip", you're NOT having needles dragged all over your face; therefore, you will NOT be seeing crazy results (a la the old school "Vampire Facials", which was the direct result of crappy open-tipped Microneedles being ripped across the face, by even crappier estheticians).

Personally, I am bit pink initially; however, by the time that I emerge from my Celluma treatment I have just a bit of pinking. Later that evening my skin typically feels a bit itchy, and two days out I tend to peel moderately, around my mouth. No big deal.

Normal responses can include: a few days of “pinking” skin, some itchiness and some peeling.

PLEASE NOTE: Absolutely NO Make-Up or Skincare for 36 Hours, Following Treatment (with the exception of gentle cleanser and sunscreen)!

Microneedling is something which has a “cumulative effect”; therefore, you should NOT expect to be “WOW-ED”, after just one treatment.

Because we want our clients to be delighted, initially our Microneedling is done in a SERIES of 3 Treatments; these treatments are spaced out between 30-40 days apart (they CANNOT be done less than 30 days apart, as this will negatively impact healing and regeneration). AFTER the initial '3 Treatment Series' is complete, then we will re-evaluate your skin.

Some individuals may require a second series, while others may not. Following the initial '3 Treatment Series', you will then have the option of purchasing INDIVIDUAL sessions.

PLEASE NOTE! Even if you have had Microneedling done elsewhere, in the past, you MUST begin with a ‘3 Treatment Series’, at Balance Day Spa.

While maintenance needs will vary from individual to individual, it is not atypical to anticipate doing a Microneedling series annually, along with a prescribed course of home care, in order to maintain your best results!

For those just requiring a touch-up, individual sessions may be purchased, FOLLOWING your initial ‘3 Treatment Series’!

PLEASE NOTE! Even if you have had Microneedling done elsewhere, in the past, you MUST begin with a ‘3 Treatment Series’, at Balance Day Spa.