MICRONEEDLING/PRP
Microneedling – also known as Collagen Induction Therapy – is a minimally invasive procedure that involves the use of a device with fine needles to create tiny, controlled punctures (micro-injuries) in the skin. Microneedling is a popular medical aesthetics treatment which visibly improves the appearance and texture of the skin.
The SkinPen ® Precision microneedling device used at our clinic is the only microneedling device approved by Health Canada and the FDA. Through medical studies and clinical testing, SkinPen ® Precision is clinically proven to improve skin conditions such as acne scars, enlarged pores, fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented lesions (melasma), scars and stretch marks.
SkinPen ® microneedling is safe year round, on all skin tones. Many people notice improvements in their skin texture after a single treatment session, and choose to select this treatment for their regular skin care maintenance routine. For patients who are targeting specific skin conditions or concerns, a treatment regimen of 3-6 sessions are recommended, one month apart, for optimal treatment results.
Microneedling treatments may be enriched with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to produce even more noticeable results. PRP augments the treatment by providing additional, concentrated proteins known as growth factors, which further enhances the results of the SkinPen ® treatments and accelerates our body’s natural healing process leading to increased cell renewal.
SkinPen ® Precision is clinically proven to treat the following conditions:
Acne Scars
Skin Texture
Microneedling helps improve skin texture by reorganizing old collagen fibers, and laying down new collagen and elastin which reduces the appearance of large pores and rough, uneven skin.
By stimulating collagen production, microneedling can lead to mild skin tightening, helping to even out skin texture.
Wrinkles and Fine Lines
By inducing the wound healing process and stimulating the skin’s natural growth factors, microneedling increases the thickness of the skin. The procedure also stimulates collagen and elastin production, which helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, leading to smoother skin.
Some patients opt to treat fine lines and wrinkles with SkinPen ® microneedling, as an alternative to neuromodulator (botulinum toxin) treatment.
Hyperpigmentation
Scars
Stretch Marks
What to Expect: SkinPen ® microneedling treatment
During your consultation, your medical history and treatment goals will be reviewed, in order to determine the best treatment plan.
Prior to your treatment, your skin will be cleansed and prepped for the procedure, and numbing cream will be applied to the treatment area. The numbing cream takes 30 minutes to take effect. Once your skin is numb, your skin is cleansed again, and the microneedling treatment begins. The treatment itself takes approximately 15-20 minutes, but may take longer depending on the number of areas you wish to treat.
Following treatment of your face, you will relax with a sterile cooling mask for 10 minutes, to soothe the skin. After that, a special gel indicated for your microneedled skin will be applied to the treatment area, and you are ready to go. Dr. Grunau will provide you with 2 types of special gel to take home with you, to soothe your skin and promote healing, following your treatment.
Detailed pre and post treatment care instructions are found here (link to PDF). Please read these carefully, to prepare for your SkinPen ® treatment and to plan around it.
SkinPen ® Microneedling FAQs
The SkinPen ® treatment is minimally invasive, and the tiny needles are designed to stimulate new cell production. The process triggered by SkinPen ® Precision involves 3 steps designed to activate the skin’s natural healing process: inflammation, proliferation and remodeling.
SkinPen is only used in professional settings, and delivers dramatic results without the use of heat or chemicals.
The tip of the SkinPen® contains many small needles which are carefully used at various depths to create tiny micro-channels into the layers of the skin. The SkinPen ® creates 1,600 micro-channels per second into the skin at precise and reproducible depths. These micro-channels stimulate the body’s own wound healing process, which leads to an increase in collagen and elastin production.
The process of creating these tiny micro-channels also leads to the production of new, healthy skin cells. Over time, the skin regenerates and improves, resulting in improved skin tone and texture, and treating various common skin concerns.
Many people are pleased with the outcome of a single SkinPen ® microneedling treatment, and they opt to incorporate the treatment into their regular skincare routine, as needed.
Others have specific treatment goals in mind, and wish to target specific skin concerns. In those cases, a series of treatments ranging from 3-6 sessions are recommended, depending on the skin condition and severity and the goals of treatment. Most common skin conditions improve after a series of 3 treatment sessions, approximately 4 weeks apart.
Following a series of treatments, many patients opt for a session every 3-4 months to support their results, but others opt to treat more frequently. The treatment is flexible, and may be tailored to individual goals.
The permanency of your results will depend on the specific skin condition you are treating. Maintenance treatment sessions at regular intervals will support the desired outcome. Many patients return for routine maintenance sessions at 3-4 months intervals, while others opt to treat more or less frequently.
Patient results vary due to many factors including pre-existing skin condition, the severity and scope of the treatment area, genetics, lifestyle and environment.
- Have active skin cancer in the treatment area(s)
- Have open wounds or sores in the treatment area(s)
- Have an allergy to stainless steel or topical anaesthetics (numbing cream)
- Have a bleeding disorder
- Are pregnant or nursing
- Are taking medications containing isotrentinoin (such as Accutane)
SkinPen ® treatment varies according to the targeted treatment area and treatment plan.
Popular treatment areas include:
Face: $400
Face and neck: $450
What to expect: PRP added to SkinPen ® Microneedling Treatment
When PRP therapy is added to your SkinPen ® microneedling treatment, it is even more important to ensure you are well hydrated in order to prepare your blood and optimize the blood draw.
While your numbing cream is taking effect, Dr. Grunau will draw your blood, and prepare your PRP. Once your skin is numb and the PRP is ready, the treatment begins – similarly to a regular microneedling session.
During your SkinPen ® treatment, the PRP is carefully applied to your skin, to allow it to absorb directly into the microchannels. The PRP enhances the overall treatment, and also helps speed up the process of healing, leading to even more dramatic results.
Additional considerations regarding PRP include your suitability to the therapy, as there are some contraindications to PRP therapy. This will be reviewed during your consultation, while determining your treatment plan.
PRP added to SkinPen ® Microneedling FAQs
PRP is considered safe because it is a completely natural product, using the patient's own blood. Since the PRP serum is sourced from the patient’s blood, this basically eliminates the risk of allergic reactions or adverse effects.
PRP treatment added to microneedling is extremely safe. In fact, it may help promote the healing of your skin faster than without the PRP. As long as you are a good candidate for PRP therapy, it is considered beneficial to augment your microneedling treatment with PRP.
You may experience slight pain and a small bruise/swelling at the site where your blood is taken from your arm.
- History of metastatic conditions like cancer, particularly blood cancers
- Infection in the areas targeted for PRP therapy
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Anemia (low blood count)
- Platelet disorders
- History of severe liver disease
- Incidence of a recent fever or illness
- Excessive smoking or drinking
- Recent or regular NSAIDS use (Patients are advised to avoid taking NSAIDS like Advil, Voltaren, and Naproxen for 7 days before and after their PRP session.)
- Anticoagulant prescription medications or antiplatelet therapy
PRP add-on for facial microneedling treatment is $400
There are options available to add-on additional treatment areas, and/or to combine SkinPen ® Precision treatment with other PRP indications, such as Tear Trough PRP.
Your treatment plan and the cost will be established during your complimentary consultation with Dr. Grunau.