The best thing you can do for your skin in the early years of your life is to wear sunscreen. Second, find a worthy skincare routine, remain loyal and consistent, and you will reap the rewards over time.
Thirdly? Micro needling, both medical grade, carried out in a skin clinic to induce collagen production and a rolling device for use at home to improve absorption of active skincare ingredients.
My first two skin tips, sunscreen and a good skincare routine will give you a headstart in keeping your skin healthy for longer and prematurely aged skin at bay.
You’ll be minimising skin damage caused by the sun, and your skincare routine will provide a protective armoury, so to speak, from the continuous assaults thrown at it from the environment.
If you’ve chosen a good skincare routine, you’ll also be preventing moisture loss and replenishing essential nutrients to keep the skin functioning optimally.
But are we done? Well, no, not really.
Even your best efforts can start to come undone.
Despite your best efforts, unfortunately, the protein found in the skin that gives it structure and volume, known as collagen, begins to degrade in our 20s.
Not only does collagen naturally begin to break down, but other lifestyle influences accelerate the loss of collagen.
Cigarette smoke, pollution, too much alcohol and a poor diet speed up collagen loss.
So, before we go on if any of these collagen-destroying choices apply to you? Well, you’ll need to make changes tout suite if you hope to preserve the quality of your skin.
Initially, this loss of collagen is barely perceptible; however, at some point, you’ll start wondering, where did your collagen go?
So, this brings me to my third tip, Micro-needling or skin needling, to activate new collagen.
Yes, you can activate NEW collagen!
If you’re like me, activating new collagen in the skin is an exciting prospect and medical-grade micro-needling, also known as collagen induction therapy, does just that.
I’d go so far as to say a medical-grade micro-needling clinical treatment could be one of the best decisions you make for your skin, and I’m going to tell you why this treatment should be at the top of your list of cosmetic treatments.
What is Medical Grade Micro needling?
Medical grade micro needling creates micro-wounds in the skin as surgical needles are passed across the face and neck or any other body part that needs rejuvenation, scar minimisation, and fewer lines and wrinkles.
These micro-wounds trigger the body’s natural healing response, stimulating cell proliferation and causing the formation of new collagen, which results in younger-looking skin.
A micro needling roller or a skin-needling pen is the most commonly used medical-grade device for this treatment.
Micro needling roller versus a micro pen?
Micro needling is not new technology, and a micro-needling roller was one of the first-ever clinical needling devices. As Micro needling has increased in popularity, so has the technology, and Micro-needling pens have become an increasingly popular option for many skin clinics.
Introducing XCellaris Pro Twist Micro-needling Pen.
The medical-grade, precision micro-needles of the XCellaris Pro Twist are cone-shaped, atraumatic and less likely to cause damage to the skin during the puncture process.
While other skin needling pens are unnecessarily traumatic, treatments with XCellaris Pro Twist create a micro wound which seals within minutes, gently triggering the generation of new tissue whilst respecting the integrity of the epidermis and dermis.
Poorer quality devices are often made with knife-shaped needles, which can cause unnecessary damage to the skin tissue, blood vessels and nerves.
Lower-quality device needles or micro-needling rollers often require more pressure, resulting in a more painful and unpleasant treatment and extended downtime.
The XCellaris Pro Twist also features a patented, flexible needle plate which adapts to the skin surface, maximising treatment precision and avoiding unnecessary injury to the skin.
The benefits of Micro needling with XCellaris Pro Twist.
Micro-needling, also known as Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT), is clinically proven to treat common skin concerns, and you can expect the following results.
Skin repair and rejuvenation
Stimulates collagen production.
Reduce visible fine lines and wrinkles.
It helps to minimise scar tissue on the face and body.
Improves skin texture and tone.
Increase cellular turnover and blood circulation.
Improves skin volume.
How to prepare for your Micro needling treatment?
Hopefully, before embarking on a Micro-needling treatment, you’ve been given a skin consultation and advice on preparing for your treatment.
Such as avoiding sun exposure at least 24 hours before your treatment, preparing your skin with optimal skincare to pre-condition the skin and improve your results two weeks before your treatment and continuing after your treatment for maximum results.
Your skin needs to be clean, makeup and oil-free; however, your skincare professional will prep your skin before your treatment, including a numbing cream if needed.
If you are prone to cold sores, taking the antiviral medication 2-3 days before the appointment is recommended.
What happens during and immediately after your treatment?
Your skincare professional will have discussed pain relief with you before your treatment. You may opt for a topical anaesthetic numbing cream applied to the treatment area before minimising any pain.
As the needles from the micro needle machine puncture the skin creating tiny wounds within the skin, you may feel slight discomfort; however, this passes quickly.
Immediately after your treatment, your skin will likely feel warm to slightly hot, like a mild sunburn, and it will probably feel tight.
Redness usually subsides a few hours after your treatment. Still, some people may experience redness for up to 3 – 4 days, and you should seek advice from the skin care professional who did the treatment.
If your skin is feeling hot and tender, you can apply cold compresses or ice packs to the skin for 24-48 hours post-treatment, or a soothing gel like aloe vera will relieve discomfort.
You should avoid excess heat like hot showers, heated pools or steamy saunas for 48-72 hours.
Avoid makeup for at least 12 hours post-treatment.
Initially, avoid active skincare for the first 72 hours post-treatment, including alpha and beta hydroxy acids and exfoliants.
What to expect after your treatment?
I find my skin becomes quite dry and flakey; it’s not pretty, but it only lasts for 3 – 5 days, and in my opinion, the results are worth it.
Applying a lubricating moisturiser as often as needed can relieve some of the dryness you experience in the days of initial recovery.
During the next few weeks of healing and recovery, harnessing the power of active skin care nutrients, especially vitamins A and C, will be beneficial when growth hormones are active and fibroblast cells in the dermis are stimulated to produce new collagen.
You’ll want to avoid sun exposure for two weeks and wear a broad spectrum SPF 30+ daily.
When will you see the results?
Visible improvements to the skin are often noticeably visible in as little as 12 days post-treatment.
Deeper skin concerns such as uneven skin tone and texture, fine lines and acne scarring will improve with the collagen regeneration process and are generally visible 2-4 weeks following treatment.
The most impressive results occur 6-12 weeks post-treatment as collagen synthesis kicks in.
How many treatments are required?
Optimal results will be achieved with regular treatments, usually in 4-6 week intervals.
Your skin care professional should discuss the number of treatments required to reach your skin health goals during your consultation.
What about micro rolling at home?
The micro needling rollers available online are an excellent option for improving the absorption of essential nutrients such as vitamins A, C and Niacinamide (B3).
Derma rollers work alongside and complement professional in-clinic treatments.
Do your homework and choose wisely. Look for an ergonomically designed dermal roller with needles strategically spaced for precision penetration, maximum safety and user comfort.
To learn more about skin needling machines or find a treatment specialist in your local area, please contact beauty suppliers The Global Beauty Group on (03) 8555 2246.
See you next time,
This article is sponsored by The Global Beauty Group.
Results will vary from person to person, and you should always check with your healthcare professional before any cosmetic treatment. Please see my disclaimer here.