What are your primary skin challenges? Do you have more than one? If your main skin concerns are a toss-up between anti-ageing and scarring, then it might be difficult to narrow down the treatment that’s best for your skin needs and aesthetic goals. Luckily, our team at Guelph Medical Laser and Skin Centre in Ontario knows that one of the most functional treatments for all skin concerns is Eclipse MicroPen Microneedling.
What Is Eclipse MicroPen?
The Eclipse MicroPen is a unique handheld microneedle system that features twelve microneedles measured 2mm long, the ideal length for treating both internal and external skin-related concerns. This treatment is one of the most versatile forms of the ever-popular microneedle treatment, which effortlessly rejuvenates skin to reverse the visible signs of ageing and undo scar damage from the inside out.
How Does This Treatment Work?
Eclipse MicroPen is a minimally invasive treatment that breaches only the top layer of the epidermis to penetrate the sub-dermal layers of skin. The goal of this treatment is to create “micro-injuries” to incite the body’s natural regenerative response, specifically the production of collagen that is lost as a natural result of the ageing process.
In addition to collagen, this treatment also stimulates the production of elastin and fibrin and also increases blood circulation beneath the skin to speed up the natural healing response.
Preparation
To prepare for your treatment, you will need to follow a few directions to ensure that your skin is ready for rejuvenation. For example, it’s very important that you avoid direct unprotect exposure to sunlight for at least 48 to 72 hours before your treatment appointment. Other instructions you should follow to prepare for treatment include:
- Do not use chemical exfoliants
- Avoid Retinol and retinoids
- Do not use skin scrubs
- Avoid using blood-thinning medications and supplements
- Drink plenty of water
We may provide you with more detailed instructions after your consultation so you can prepare for your treatment. For example, if you have an active breakout of acne or a cold sore, you will need to reschedule your treatment appointment until your skin is calm.
Treatment Appointments
Your treatment appointments for Eclipse MicroPen will take about 30 to 45 minutes to complete. Some patients with sensitive skin request the use of a topical numbing cream before the start of treatment; if you are interested in using a numbing cream for your comfort, please let us know when you check-in so we have time to apply the cream and allow it to activate before your treatment begins.
Your treatment with the Eclipse MicroPen will be performed by one of our highly-skilled technicians, who will move the handheld treatment device over your skin, paying particular attention to your areas of concern. You will feel pressure on your face during the treatment, but the treatment should not be painful.
Aftercare
After your treatment is complete, your skin will feel somewhat sensitive and vulnerable, so you must follow your aftercare instructions closely. For example, it’s vital that you drink an adequate amount of water following your treatment as the treatment will strip your skin of some essential moisture – drinking enough water will help your skin replenish and stay hydrated. Other aftercare instructions for you to follow will include:
- Avoid using Retinol and other skin actives for at least 48 to 72 hours
- Do not scrub or rub the skin
- Apply moisturizer as directed
- Avoid excessive sweating and heat
- Do not use hot water
- Do not use tanning beds
- Avoid unprotected sun exposure
- Use SPF 30 or greater in the sunlight
There may be additional directions we give you after your treatment. For example, we may instruct you on the best way to wash your face for the first 24 to 48 hours of your treatment or how soon you can wear make-up. We will also let you know how soon you can seek other cosmetic treatments.
Recovery
Although your skin will be vulnerable after your treatment, you are still free to resume most normal daily activities after your treatment is complete. Normal daily activities include driving yourself home, going back to work, shopping, childcare, and other tasks.
Your overall recovery time will be very short. Your skin will need some time to recover from the treatment, which means you will have to follow your aftercare instructions for at least five to seven days to give your skin enough time to heal after the treatment.
When Can You See Results?
It will take some time for the results of this treatment to become evident. This is because microneedle treatments require several days and weeks to fully stimulate the production of collagen, elastin, and fibrin within your skin. For this reason, you may not see the results of this treatment for four to six weeks.
Of course, depending on what you have used this treatment to address, you may notice some results more quickly than others. For example, pigmentation concerns, such as dark spots, will typically fade within two to four weeks after your treatment. Other concerns, such as wrinkles or scarring, will take repeated treatments to achieve optimal results.
How Many Treatments Will You Need?
The number of treatments you need will be determined by the severity of your skin concerns and the exact skin concerns you have. For mature women with age-related skin concerns, you will likely require at least four to six treatments that are spaced four weeks apart; for women with minor concerns, you may require as little as three to five treatments to achieve your aesthetic goals. It’s worth noting that treating scars will also require more treatments, usually about five or six depending on scar severity.
How Long Do Results Last?
The results of your treatment can be both temporary and permanent. For example, the treatment of wrinkles, dark spots, and other age-related concerns will all be temporary and will initially last for only four to six weeks at a time; eventually, these results will last for up to twelve weeks at a time to achieve initial prolonged results. After you have completed your first round of microneedle treatments, you may only require treatments once or twice a year to maintain results.
For the treatment of scars, however, you should expect that your results will be permanent or last for as long as you do not develop new scars. This is because the root cause of scarring is different than the root cause of age-related concerns.
Eclipse MicroPen MicroNeedling FAQs
1. What Can Microneedling Help With?
Microneedling is a diverse cosmetic treatment that can correct a variety of skin-related concerns, from anti-ageing to basic superficial issues. In fact, based on the length of the needle and the depth of the penetration, microneedle treatments can even address other concerns, such as hair regrowth. Some of the common issues that this treatment can help with include:
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Dark spots
- Pigmentation
- Redness or sun damage
- Enlarged pores
- Acne
- Acne scarring
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
- Dull skin
- Skin laxity
- Thin skin
- Uneven skin tone
- Uneven skin texture
2. What Happens to Skin After Microneedling?
During an Eclipse MicroPen treatment, micro-injuries create channels in your skin surface that will incite the body’s natural regenerative response to injury. However, this process will also cause your skin to dry out as new skin cells are turned over and your skin renews the production of collagen. This is why it’s important to adequately hydrate so you can work with your body to restore your natural skin barrier and renew the appearance of your skin.
3. Is Microneedling Safe for Skin?
Yes. It seems counterintuitive that a treatment that actively and deliberately injures your skin is also one that is considered safe, but that’s the truth. This treatment can be used on all skin types and all skin tones with a very low risk of any negative side effects. This includes acne-prone skin, which may actually benefit from regular treatments that improve skin cell turnover.
4. Why Can This Treatment Help With Both Pigment and Atrophic Scarring?
When it comes to acne scars, there are two main types: pigmented scars and atrophic scars. Pigmented scars refer to the post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or the darker splotches left behind on your skin after active acne has gone away. Pigmented scars are usually temporary, but they also can take several weeks to heal, sometimes even months. Microneedle treatments essentially resurface the skin to help pigmented scars fade more quickly.
Atrophic scars, on the other hand, are the dimpling, indented scars left behind after acne has gone away. Atrophic scars are usually permanent and are the result of inflamed skin healing incorrectly, meaning collagen has created scar tissue that leaves skin with an uneven texture. However, microneedle treatments help break down this scar tissue, increase the production of collagen, and ultimately smooth out the texture of your skin.
5. How Does Eclipse MicroPen Help With Stretch Marks?
Stretch marks are caused by skin that has stretched too quickly for collagen production to keep up, which is what creates the striped texture on your skin. But just like how microneedle treatments can correct atrophic scarring, microneedle treatments can also reduce the appearance of stretch marks by normalizing collagen production on those areas of the body.
6. Why Is Microneedling Also Called Collagen Induction?
Microneedle treatments are aptly called collagen induction treatments because of the way that collagen production increases as a result of the treatment. The fact that the main goal of this treatment is to increase collagen production is part of the reason why the treatment is so useful for age-related skin concerns like fine lines and wrinkles, which are primarily caused by low collagen levels in the sub-dermal layers of the skin.
7. How Can You Make This Treatment More Effective?
In addition to closely following your aftercare instructions, there are several things you can do to help make your treatment more effective. For example, using the right skincare products to support the rejuvenation of your skin and specifically address your skin concerns can help your results show up faster and last longer. Combining this treatment with others, such as PRP, can also help your treatment be more effective.
8. Who Are Good Eclipse MicroPen Candidates?
All people are good candidates for microneedle treatments with the Eclipse MicroPen. If you are dealing with one or more skin concerns and you would like to achieve long-lasting results without the use of surgery or more invasive treatment techniques, then microneedle treatments are likely a good fit for your needs.
Get the Skin of Your Dreams With Eclipse MicroPen Microneedling Treatments!
Whether you only have one primary skin challenge or you have several, you can rest assured knowing that it’s easier than you might think to get the skin of your dreams. For many people, treatments with the Eclipse MicroPen device is the answer to beautiful skin. If you think this treatment is right for you, please contact Guelph Medical Laser and Skin Centre in Ontario to schedule your first appointment today!
