At OC SkinLab, only the safest and most effective treatments are utilized to help rejuvenate and correct skin issues on face and body.  Microneedling uses the body’s natural healing process to treat common skin conditions that lead to cosmetic concern in patients.

Benefits of Microneedling

• Decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Improve acne scars and stretch marks
• Correct the effects of photoaging (sun spots, uneven skin tone)
• Improve discoloration (melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation)
• Gives the skin a smoother and firmer quality 
• Reduces the appearance of large pores

Areas of the Body Treated with Microneedling

• Face
• Neck
• Décolleté
• Back
• Abdomen
• Arms
• Hands
• Legs

How It Works

This treatment is performed by using an automated device that resembles a large pen with disposable microneedle tips attached that make controlled micro-injuries to the skin. These microinjuries stimulate collagen and elastin production over time with peak results from 2-4 months. During microneedling, a glide is used to help the tiny needles move along the skin.  Depending on the patient’s underlying cosmetic issue, the appropriate glide will be used.  All treatments utilize the Tensage® Intensive Serum 40, which contains concentrated levels of growth factors derived from Cryptomphalus aspersa snail secretions. In addition, patients may need additional treatment using PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma), both as a glide and injected into areas of concern.

Benefits of Using Growth Factors During Microneedling

• Boost the collagen and elastin regeneration
• Minimize healing time and speed the repair process
• Optimize procedural outcomes

What is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)?

PRP is the end product after drawing your own blood and spinning it down at a particular speed in a centrifuge.  This process will separate the red blood cells, white blood cells and the platelet-containing plasma.  The PRP is then withdrawn into a sterile syringe to be used during the microneedling process or for injection.  This component of your blood contains high concentrations of platelets and growth factors that help your tissue heal and grow new collagen and elastin. PRP was initially used in orthopedic medicine, dentistry and reconstructive surgery to help speed recovery and aid in reconstruction and regeneration.

PRP is used in our office to address issues such as:

• Under-eye hollows and dark circles
• Loss of volume in the face
• Skin laxity of the neck and Décolleté
• Acne, traumatic and surgical scars
• Stretch marks
• Hair loss on the scalp and eyebrows
• Female urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction in women and men

What to Expect During Treatment

The first step is to cleanse the area which is to be treated and apply a topical anesthetic cream for 45 minutes to numb the area. Once numb, the cream is cleaned off and the skin is again disinfected.  The area of concern is microneedled with the appropriate glide. Once the micro-needling has been completed, the skin is bathed in additional growth factor serum and PRP if needed and a soothing peptide mask is applied for 10 minutes. After this, the treated skin is cleansed and a serum is applied along with sunscreen if needed.  Patients are sent home with a one week supply of appropriate post-procedure skin care products to use.

Who’s a Good Candidate for Microneedling?

Microneedling is an extremely safe and effective treatment when applied in the right hands. It’s important to realize that although this procedure may seem easy, it is not legal to be used by anyone other than a Physician, NP/PA or RN.  As this procedure doesn’t use thermal energy to create micro-injury to the skin (like a LASER does), it is safe to use on the darkest skin types who would otherwise be prone to hyperpigmentation.

Schedule a consultation today with Dr. Hure at OC SkinLab in San Juan Capistrano, CA!