As we grow older, our skin naturally bears the marks of time. For many, that includes dark spots after years of sun exposure, scarring even after blemishes have healed, or fine lines framing our expressive features.
There is nothing inherently wrong with these signs of aging. But in truth, your youthful radiance may be just out of reach, obscured beneath layers of damaged skin cell buildup.
With rejuvenating treatments like microneedling, the experts at Phases Skin Care & Laser Center can unlock your skin’s full potential.
Read on to learn about the restorative effects of microneedling, or use our online treatment planner to begin mapping out your personalized microneedling in Carmel.
Understanding the Factors Affecting Your Skin Quality
With each passing year, our skin’s ability to regenerate steadily declines, the collagen and elastin fibers within our tissue breaking down more easily. In fact, our ability to restore this fibrous network diminishes by 1% each year, meaning that our once plump, smooth skin gradually thins and loses elasticity, falling into wrinkles and folds.
As the tissue weakens, so does the skin barrier, meaning your skin is less effective in protecting you from harmful pollutants and UV rays. It also becomes more difficult to retain moisture, often leading to a dry, crepey feel.
Over time, cellular turnover within the dermis and epidermis also slows down. That means the cycle of cell renewal can take months, compared to mere days or weeks, as we experience as children and teens. When this process is drawn out, damaged and dead skin cells can accumulate, leading to:
- Dull or uneven tone
- Hyperpigmentation
- Rough or irregular texture
- Congested pores
External Elements
Aside from these intrinsic factors influencing your skin’s appearance, your lifestyle choices and behaviors can similarly impact your complexion.
Regular exposure to sunlight and air pollution naturally wears away at your skin barrier and erodes essential collagen and elastin fibers. Smoking further breaks down this fragile line of defense, hindering blood flow to the skin and speeding up dehydration and skin aging.
Even your dietary habits affect the look and feel of your skin. For instance, eating healthy, nutrient-rich meals fortifies your skin and better protects it from harm. In contrast, eating highly processed foods and regularly consuming alcohol impairs barrier function, often leading to inflammation, acne, or dryness.
Getting restful sleep each night also supports optimal skin quality, giving your body time to perform essential repairs overnight.
Selecting Your Skin Rejuvenation Treatment
When you visit Phases Skin Care & Laser Center, you can talk through these factors and more.
During your consultation, your practitioner listens attentively to your skin concerns, medical history, and lifestyle. Then, they assess your skin type. With these insights, they can tailor your treatment plan to your needs and your goals.
Your personalized plan for microneedling in Carmel may include routine treatments with the SkinPen or deeper rejuvenation with our radiofrequency-enabled devices.
Traditional Microneedling
We might recommend traditional microneedling if you are experiencing:
- Enlarged pores
- Acne scars
- Stretch marks
- Uneven texture
- Hyperpigmentation
At Phases Skin Care & Laser Center, we use the SkinPen device to administer traditional microneedling.
SkinPen
The advanced SkinPen stylus features 14 ultra-fine needles to create microscopic injuries in the skin. This superficial damage triggers healing, inducing collagen and elastin genesis. By fortifying the skin’s structure, it gradually firms and strengthens, shrinking pores and improving the appearance of fine lines.
The healing process also stimulates skin cell turnover, shedding damaged skin cells contributing to dullness, hyperpigmentation, and texture. Then, your skin replaces these cells with bright, healthy ones.
When undergoing SkinPen microneedling in Carmel, most patients enjoy a refreshed complexion after a series of at least 3 treatment sessions.
Microneedling With Radiofrequency
For more structural skin concerns and longer-lasting results, we can use sophisticated RF microneedling technologies like Cutera Secret and Cartessa Virtue to foster rejuvenation. These treatments best suit patients looking to address mild-to-moderate hyperpigmentation, skin laxity, wrinkles, and deeper acne scars.
Cutera Secret
The Cutera Secret system combines microneedles with radiofrequency (RF) in one powerful handpiece. As 25 thin needles create micro-channels in the skin, the device emits RF energy that penetrates deep through the tiny puncture wounds.
The micro-injuries and thermal RF energy work together to stimulate remodeling deep within the dermis, awakening collagen production and cell renewal from deep within.
Typically, our providers recommend at least 3 treatment sessions for optimal rejuvenation.
Cartessa Virtue
Like the Cutera Secret device, the Cartessa Virtue RF microneedling system unites microneedling and RF technology in a single service. Empowered by 36 gold-coated needles, the Virtue delivers precise micro-injuries to the skin, infusing the tissue with RF energy that triggers collagen, elastin, and fibroblast activity.
Ongoing fibroblast activity supports lasting collagen and elastin genesis, steadily tightening the skin’s structure and restoring your glow.
Most patients return for a series of 3 to 4 sessions to achieve lasting refinement.
Preparing for Your Microneedling Appointment
Before administering your traditional or RF microneedling in Carmel, your practitioner explains the recommended pre-care steps. Following these instructions prior to your appointment fosters optimal skin rejuvenation.
Typically, these guidelines include:
- Wear SPF 30+ sunscreen or protective garments to shield the treatment area from direct sun exposure 1 to 2 weeks prior to treatment.
- Avoid using skincare products containing active or exfoliating ingredients (like retinoids or glycolic acid) within 48 hours of microneedling.
- Remove any facial piercings from the treatment area before your appointment.
Arrive at your appointment with clean skin, free of makeup or skincare products.
If the date of your appointment arrives and you are actively experiencing a breakout or infection (like a cold sore), your provider can work with you to reschedule your treatment.
Administering Your Microneedling Treatment
Your licensed professional begins your appointment by reviewing each step of the treatment process so you feel at ease with your care. Then, they move forward with your personalized plan for microneedling in Carmel.
Traditional Microneedling
First, your practitioner applies a numbing cream for your comfort. As your provider glides the SkinPen across the treatment area and creates micro-channels in the skin, you might feel a light pressure or mild buzzing sensation.
After treatment, you might feel like you have a mild sunburn. Any redness or feelings of tightness should fade in the next day or so, with many patients returning to their usual activities within 24 to 48 hours of treatment.
RF Microneedling
When working with the Virtue or Secret device, your provider similarly begins with a topical numbing cream or self-administered Pro-Nox so you can relax throughout treatment.
Then, they gently stamp the Secret or Virtue RF device over your skin, allowing the needles and RF energy to penetrate the skin with precision. Your provider modifies the depth of the treatment to the targeted area, working carefully around delicate areas like the under-eyes.
Thanks to the precise technologies and our providers’ specialized training, most patients only take 24 to 48 hours of social downtime following RF microneedling.
Tending to Your Rejuvenated Skin
After concluding your treatment, your licensed provider will advise any post-care steps you can take to maintain your refreshed skin.
We often recommend that microneedling patients:
- Manage mild swelling or inflammation with a cold compress as needed.
- Use gentle cleansers and hydrating moisturizers to soothe the skin.
- Apply SPF 30+ sunscreen daily to prevent UV damage to the healing tissue.
- Resist picking or scratching at the treatment area.
- Avoid wearing makeup for the first 24 hours after a microneedling session.
- Do not engage in sweat-inducing activities like saunas, hot yoga, or other intense exercise for the first 48 hours.
Many patients return for a SkinPen session every 4 weeks, while we typically stagger appointments every 4 to 6 weeks for RF microneedling. In Carmel, our providers also tailor the timing and frequency of your treatments to your lifestyle. That means we can thoughtfully schedule your care around big events, beach vacations, and more for safe, effective results.
Depending on your skin condition and aesthetic goals, your expert provider may also recommend incorporating additional treatments between microneedling sessions. This could include nourishing your skin with hand-selected medical-grade skincare products, fostering further exfoliation with a chemical peel, or relaxing stubborn wrinkles with neurotoxins.
Reclaim Your Complexion
With Phases Skin Care & Laser Center, you don’t have to let time dim your shine. Our licensed experts can work with you to foster lasting rejuvenation using advanced microneedling technologies.
Find out how you can undo years’ worth of internal aging and extrinsic damage with thoughtfully implemented microneedling in Carmel.
Learn more about how we deliver personalized aesthetic care through microneedling treatments for our Westfield and Fishers communities.
