Microneedling

“Effectively treat Acne Scars, Pigmentation and Wrinkles.”

 

Beauty 2.0: the catchall for the new buzzwords of the beauty world, such as laser, galvanic treatments, LED, ultrasound therapy, thermage und microneedling. These are the modern cosmetic treatment methods which tend to elicit uncomprehending looks from our grandmothers, for a ‘treatment’ for them usually relies heavily on the likes of rosewater and olive oil.
And although Powder Paper is clearly on Grandma’s side when it comes to using natural ingredients, how boring would it be to completely close your eyes in (literally) the face of the future? The methods of Beauty 2.0 reach new levels of skin care in the truest sense of the word and, thanks to modern technology, are able to treat even the toughest wrinkles, acne scars, pigmentation and stretch marks.
In the starring role, the Dermaroller.
The basic principle of microneedling involves rolling a needle roller across the skin, thereby turning it into swiss cheese on a microscopically small scale. The holes or channels formed, barely visible to the naked eye, create small wounds on the surface of the skin, which reacts by increasing production of collagen, hyaluronic acid and skin cells, in order to heal the wound as quickly as possible. Depending on the depth of the needles, the skin can start to visibly shed after just a few days, a side effect of the stimulated skin cell production.
After just one treatment, the complexion appears more balanced and the skin is visibly plumper and tighter. To achieve long term results, beauty specialists recommend 4-6 treatments at 3-4 week intervals. Acne scars, pregnancy stretch marks and hyper-pigmentation are visibly brightened and become significantly smoothed with time. Deep wrinkles are reduced in depth and fine lines may even disappear completely, as the entire area treated is toned and tightened.

In general, the longer the needle, the more painful (and effective) the treatment, particularly when it comes to acne scars, wrinkles and pregnancy-related stretch marks. To treat the latter, it’s best to begin with a needle length of 1mm, as the pain tolerance is generally higher there than in the face. For facial treatments, it’s recommended to begin with an initial needle length of 0.5mm and increase as needed (as you tell from the second image, I’ve worked my way up to 2mm). Professional beauticians may use an anaesthetic cream, making the procedure a little more comfortable, however these treatments can set you back anything from 70-250 Euro. Far better to forego the anaesthetic and save your wallet the pain by going the DIY route at home; especially since you can easily find great Dermarollers online for around 8 Euro.
Let’s get down to it:

Step 1:

Before every use, your Dermaroller should be soaked for 30 minutes in 70% alcohol (available by the liter at your local pharmacy) in order to sterilize as best as possible, before being left to air dry for around 20 minutes.

Step 2:

Before you begin the treatment, the skin should be thoroughly cleansed and disinfected (for example with Octenisept, available from pharmacies). Simply apply to a cotton pad and gently swipe over the skin.

Step 3:

Now it’s time to get rolling. The best way to start is to familiarize yourself with the movements. Place the Dermaroller on the outermost edge of your cheek, rolling it in place around 8-10 times across the skin from top to bottom, before pausing and working in this way in individual sections towards the center of the face. Then repeat the whole thing horizontally as well as in both diagonals. While rolling, be sure to always use the same amount of pressure. With this technique, the entire face is treated twice and then disinfected again with Octenisept (can burn briefly. At this point, keep in mind those breathing exercises from that one yoga class you took in early January for your new year’s resolution).
Depending on the depth of the needles, your face will turn a shade of red somewhere on the scale between Leberwurst and tomato juice, and may be a little swollen- this should only last until the next day at the latest.
If you wish to keep your Dermaroller for future use, soak it for another 30 minutes in alcohol and allow it to air dry before storing it. I recommend replacing your Dermaroller after 2-3 uses.

Step 4:

As a final step, it’s time to add some moisture back to the skin. For this purpose, it’s best to go for an oil-free serum, such as the Hyaluron Serum (vegan) from Susanne Kaufmann or the Hydra Miracle Serum (vegan) from M Picaut. With a high Hyaluronic Acid content, they provide moisture without clogging the pores or weighing heavy on the skin. Use it over the next 4-5 days, both mornings and evenings. If your skin still feels a little tight, you can also add in a light day/night cream. A particularly beautiful product for a little extra care is the Rejuvenating Rose Toner (vegan) from Mun. In addition to Hyaluronic Acid, nourishing active ingredients such as Aloe Vera Gel, Goji berry and Rose soothe the skin and provide more moisture than conventional toners. Application tip: simply rub a few drops between the hands and gently press into the skin. As the skin becomes thinner and more sensitive during the treatment period, make sure to use sunscreen (LINK) during the day.

Note: this treatment is not suitable for inflamed skin, e.g. acne, herpes or sunburn.

 

Photo: Powder Paper