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I get asked all the time about microneedling. When someone finds out this is something I have performed as part of my practice, questions are sure to follow. Just this past week, my cousin who lives out of state called me to specifically ask what microneedling was, do I perform it and what kinds of results do I see.

I want to start by saying, microneedling is my FAVORITE service to perform and my personal favorite for my skin. I find the recovery and results to be consistent and predictable. Downtime is minimal and comfortable.

So, I thought it was time to share 6 of my most commonly asked questions and maybe help shed some light on this awesome treatment.

What is microneedling exactly?

Microneedling is a treatment performed with a small, medical grade appliance, typically resembling a fat marker or highlighter. Each treatment is performed with a new, clean, sterile needle head. That needle head, or cartridge, contains 12, 33 gage (very small) needles, clustered together, that pulse up and down, in a vertical and oscillating motion, at varying depths and speeds, controlled by the practitioner. This process creates micro channels, as we make passes along the skin. This purposeful wounding, in turn, encourages the body’s reparative system to step up and produce collagen and elastin.

What will microneedling do for my skin?

As we age, we experience volume loss that results in lines, wrinkles and sagging skin. This volume loss is the result of a decrease in collagen production. Collagen is a naturally occurring protein in our bodies and the primary component of our connective tissue. We need collagen to give our skin structure. Microneedling is a collagen inducing therapy, thereby, directly encouraging new collagen production. Our patients experience a change in texture, firmness, discoloration and overall health and appearance of their skin. Think of this amazing “pen” style appliance as erasing evidence of how time and the environment have effected your skin.

Can’t I just buy one of those face rollers and use it as home?

I get this one a lot. Especially as the home rollers popularity has increased in the last 3 or 4 years due to a popular sell from home skin care line. Even as a trained professional, I cannot imagine picking up one of those use at home “weapons” and taking it to my face. The first difference I point out is how painful that must feel. When we microneedle a patient, we apply a topical numbing cream. Here at Pelle Medical Skincare, this cream is specially formulated for our microneedling treatments and makes the experience so much more comfortable. We all have heard the old saying, beauty is pain. But, at least in this case, it doesn’t have to be.

Second, there is a huge difference in the process of microneedling versus a roller. A roller performs as such, in a rolling motion, with metal spikes, thru your tissue. This causes additional, unnecessary tissue damage. With that rolling motion, there is a dragging, tugging even tearing that occurs that does nothing to aid in what you are trying to accomplish with this type of treatment. And actually, creates unnecessary inflammation that lasts days longer than the treatment performed with the straight up and down, controlled motion of the microneedling appliance.

What will I look like after the treatment?

Another popular question. Especially with celebrities like Kim Kardashian posting pictures of her after pictures of her microneedling, people are freaked out about what they will look like when we are finished. Immediately after we are finished with your treatment, you will be red and flushed, as if you have had too much sun. Some experience small red dots for a few hours or a day. But for the majority, by the end of 24 hours, you will look like yourself and you are welcome to wear make-up. The minimal amount of downtime, is one of the many reasons I love microneedling for my clients and even myself.

Is microneedling only good for anti-aging?

No. While microneedling is a great tool for patients looking to address their aging concerns, it is also very useful in treating acne and scars left behind by acne. It’s great for treating pigmentation, whether hormonal, post acne or sun damage. A little-known fact is that we can even treat aging and pigmentation concerns on the BACK OF YOUR HANDS!

Is one treatment enough to see the difference I want to see in my skin?

In most cases, you are going to see the best results after 6 consistent treatments. By consistent I mean every 6 weeks. We are treating and correcting your concerns on a deep, cellular level. It takes times to see the optimal results. But trust me, you are going to see results. Of course, there are patients that have needed more than 6, but the majority are very happy after six treatments. We always recommend having maintenance microneedling sessions once or twice a year.

Fortunately, microneedling pairs nicely with the other treatments you are already doing for your skin, such as dermaplaning and peels. You can continue your already established regimen and add microneedling in every 6 weeks. Our amazing ladies here at Pelle will work closely with you to customize the best regimen and home care to optimize your results.

My guess is, these 6 questions have probably brought up more questions for you. I would love to hear from you and get you all the information you need. Feel free to email Pellé or call and schedule a consultation at 513.272.0064.

— Article by Wendy Ashley, LMA

Whether you call it skin needling, micro-needling or collagen induction therapy, it’s all the same thing…. a minimally invasive skin rejuvenation procedure. Pellé Medical Skincare has it, and we are calling it Micro-needling. The areas of the body that can be treated include the face, neck, décolleté and hands.

The micro-needling procedure starts with applying a topical anesthetic for patient comfort, as an electronic device, holding a sterile cartridge of 12 fine gage needles, moves across the skin at an extremely high rate of speed. As the needles move, they vertically puncture the skin, and tiny holes or micro-channels are created. This process of creating micro-channels, also known as a controlled wound, stimulates the skin to create collagen and elastin formation into the channels themselves. As a result, there is improvement in fine lines and wrinkles, acne scaring, pore size, firmness and pigmentation just to mention a few. Because there is no tissue destruction, the healing process begins right away. Depending on the depth of correction, a patient may look as if they have a sunburn following treatment that lasts from 1 – 3 or 4 days, up to a week. Specific instructions will be given at the time of treatment, and make-up can be used the following day.

This is not a one and done procedure. It requires anywhere rom 4, 6 or 8 treatments four to six weeks apart depending on the correction needed. Initial results are seen after one treatment, however lasting and more significant results will occur after 4-6 treatments and will continue to improve over the next 6-12 months. Micro-needling is safe, chemical free and can be used on all skin colors and types. It is sometimes the preferred treatment over laser since there is no risk of burning.

Finally, beware of dermal rollers that are being sold for home use. These rollers do not create precise vertical micro-channels, and can actually tear the skin due to the rolling nature of the device. They also cannot be properly sterilized at home. These two things together can cause inconsistent and traumatic results to the skin, as well as infection.

If you have any questions regarding micro-needling, or would like to schedule a package, please call the Pellé office at 513-272-0064 and we will be happy to assist you!

Look at some of these amazing results – see what micro-needling can do for you!

Ask you Skincare Nurse Specialist about this amazing moisturizing cream!

INTRODUCTION
As skin ages we begin to see thinning, wrinkled skin, loss of volume, hyperpigmentation, and a loss of elasticity. Chronic UV exposure leads to increased degenerative changes in the skin characterized by alterations in the ECM (extra cellular matrix) including collagen and elastin degradation and increased free radical damage to skin cells. In addition to thin, wrinkled skin, aging skin is often severely dehydrated with a compromised skin barrier. mybody offers the ultimate anti-aging hydrator which not only corrects and protects a compromised skin barrier but also helps to stimulate skin immunity and reduce the signs of aging.

PRODUCT
myHERO™ Ultra Rich Anti-Aging Growth Factor Cream
This intensive bioactive moisturizing cream with transformative biomimetic growth factor peptides helps correct and protect a compromised skin barrier. Redness is also reduced to visibly bring youth, vitality and radiance to dry, aging and sensitive skin. Cutting edge ingredients, such as TGF-β (Tissue Growth Factor), mimic the body’s own mechanism to produce collagen and bypass inflammation. Probiotic Derived Bioactives also help stimulate collagen production while increasing skin immunity. Revinage® is a multi-functional, clinically-proven ingredient with a retinoid-like effect. myHERO Ultra Rich Anti-Aging Growth Factor Cream also includes lightening, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects while providing intense hydrating ingredients that make this the ultimate bioactive moisturizing cream for mature, aging, and excessively dry and sensitive skin.
*Revinage is a registered trademark of Chemyunion

OBJECTIVE
To establish the effectiveness of myHERO Ultra Rich Anti-Aging Growth Factor Cream in reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, increasing the hydration level, and improving the barrier function of aging and excessively dry skin for the subjects.

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8 Week Study of mybody myHERO™ Ultra Rich Anti-Aging Growth Factor Cream
MATERIALS AND METHODS
10 subjects > 40 years old were recruited and enrolled in an 8 week study. Visual assessments, VISIA® analysis, photographs, and Bioelectric Impedance Analysis of moisture/oil content were done at baseline and every 2 weeks. Each patient used the following products:
1. CLEAN ROUTINE® Revitalizing Foaming Cleanser (AM/PM)
2. myHERO™ Anti-Aging Growth Factor Serum (AM/PM)
3. *myHERO™ Anti-Aging Growth Factor Daytime Lotion (AM)
4. PROTECT & SERVE® Tinted Sun Shield SPF 30 (AM)
5. myHERO™ Ultra Rich Anti-Aging Growth Factor Cream (PM)
Each subject maintained daily self-assessment logs.

RESULTS
10 subjects completed the study and all subjects experienced some level of improvement. Subjects saw a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles, improvement in texture, improvement in UV damage and improvement in moisture content.

CONCLUSION
Data indicates that myHERO Anti-Aging Growth Factor Serum, *myHERO Anti-Aging Growth Factor Daytime Lotion and myHERO Ultra Rich Anti-Aging Growth Factor Cream are effective in reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, rough texture and UV damage while increasing the moisture content without increasing irritation potential or heightened sensitivity.

*Source: mybody LLC.

Has anyone ever told you that ingesting sugars and starches can cause wrinkles?  Well it can, by a process called GLYCATION.  Glycation is the process by which sugar molecules attach onto proteins and fats forming Advanced Glycation End Products commonly referred to as AGE’s.  When glycation takes place it causes protein fibers in the skin to become stiff and malformed. The proteins in the skin most affected are collagen and elastin. These are the proteins responsible for giving us a youthful complexion.

Dr. Nicholas Perricone states “Eating sugary and starchy foods shows up on the skin as a loss of radiance, dark circles under the eyes, the loss of tone, puffiness, and increase in fine lines and wrinkles, the loss of facial contours and increased pore size.  These foods can also exacerbate acne, which is a systemic inflammatory disease.  I am not exaggerating when I say that sugar can rob you of your youth, health, and beauty.”

Signs of glycation usually start to appear in our 30’s. At age 30 we aren’t producing the collagen we were when we were young.  So what can be done to help slow down the aging process?  The best thing to do is the change up your diet. Try to stay away from sugary foods and refined carbohydrates. Examples of food to avoid are processed foods, cereals, soda and anything with high fructose corn syrup. High fructose corn syrup increases the rate of glycation by 10X compared to glucose.

The second thing you can do to is to invest in skincare products that contain ingredients proven to help fight glycation or stimulate the production of collagen. Green tea is just one potent ingredient proven to significantly interfere with the glycation process. Drinking green tea can also be beneficial.

Pellé Medical Skincare does offer a wide variety of products aimed at fighting glycation and producing collagen. The Intense Firm by Société contains 7 protein peptides aimed at producing collagen and increasing elasticity and firmness. It also contains the powerful antioxidant green tea. From the iS Clinical line, Youth Complex has been clinically proven to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. It contains a copper tripeptide growth factor that mimics the way skin naturally produces collagen.

Sources:
Glycation: how sugar causes wrinkles.  www.simplyantiaging.com/2479/glycation
Sugar and Aging: How to fight glycation.  www.elle.com.makeup-skin-care/sugar-aging-how-to-fight-glycation-614621

Serums are a top pick of many skin care gurus because they are formulated to target specific skin issues. Whether you want to reduce fine lines, smooth fine lines, reduce dark spots, prevent acne or brighten up your skin, serums come in a variety of formulas.

The best part about serums is that most of the fluid is eliminated — what’s left is a high concentration of active ingredients. Serums are loaded with the most potent dose of anti-aging ingredients — antioxidants, peptides and skin brighteners you can find on the market.

Many serums are packaged in pump bottles or have medicine-dropper applicators to dispense just the tiny amount you need. Those few concentrated drops have the ability to penetrate deep within the layers of your skin so that you get phenomenal results!

Additionally, serums tend to be a patient favorite as they have a non-greasy finish and they don’t leave behind a sticky residue. To find the serum that is best for your skin — schedule an appointment with your Nurse Skincare Specialist at Pellé.