How Does Microneedling Reverse Collagen Loss?

Lots of factors contribute to aging skin, but one of the biggest causes is a decline in collagen that goes hand-in-hand with getting older. Fortunately, microneedling can help by naturally stimulating collagen production, so you can enjoy firmer, more youthful-looking skin.

At Starkey Medical Esthetics in Salem, Virginia, Michele Meinhart, FNP, offers microneedling for both the face and the body using the state-of-the-art Morpheus8® system. Here’s how microneedling works to ramp up collagen production and restore more youthful skin.

Quick facts about collagen

Often referred to as a critical “building block” of healthy, youthful skin, collagen is a special type of protein that’s also found in your bones, muscles, tendons, and cartilage. Collagen fibers form strong networks that act as a supportive scaffolding. In your skin, it’s collagen that helps your skin look firm and smooth.

While we’re young, our skin produces plenty of collagen. But as we get older, collagen production slows down, and lines and wrinkles become more common. Years of sun exposure also act to break down collagen fibers and weaken your skin’s supportive network. 

For women, collagen breakdown becomes even more evident during menopause. A decline in estrogen levels leads to further decreases in collagen production, hastening signs of aging while enhancing skin laxity.

Collagen also plays a key role in healing. When your skin is injured, collagen responds by building new networks of tissue to seal and protect the area, preventing further damage and limiting the potential for infection.

How microneedling works

Microneedling creates a series of tiny puncture wounds in your skin. These controlled injuries stimulate your skin's natural healing processes, including the manufacture of new collagen fibers.

In addition to an increase in collagen production, individual fibers join to form strong networks to heal the damaged areas. Over the next few days and weeks, your skin’s repair process continues, leaving you with a healthier, stronger network that helps your skin look and feel firmer. 

At our practice, we combine microneedling with radiofrequency energy. The tiny channels created by the microneedling device allow the RF energy to penetrate deeply into your skin, enhancing collagen production and giving you beautiful results.

Your microneedling treatment

Microneedling treatments are performed right in our office using a topical anesthetic to numb your skin. The length of your treatment will depend on the size of the area being treated, with many treatments lasting about a half hour or so.

After your treatment, you can expect your skin to be pinkish and sore. You might have some temporary swelling. These effects dissipate within a day or so. We’ll provide you with aftercare instructions before you leave the office, and it’s important to follow them and give your skin the care it needs to recover quickly. 

In addition to enhancing your skin’s natural healing abilities, microneedling offers another important benefit: It can be repeated. In fact, many patients find they achieve optimal results after a series of treatments based on their skin’s condition and their goals. Regular touch-up treatments keep your skin looking its best.

Learn more about microneedling

Microneedling can be used on its own or in combination with other treatments for a truly custom approach targeted at your unique concerns. To learn more about microneedling and how it can help your skin look its best, call 540-389-0909, or book an appointment online at Starkey Medical Esthetics today.